Psalms 81:2

Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

Take {H5375}{H8798)} a psalm {H2172}, and bring {H5414}{H8798)} hither the timbrel {H8596}, the pleasant {H5273} harp {H3658} with the psaltery {H5035}.

Start the music! Beat the drum! Play the sweet lyre and the lute!

Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre.

Raise a song, and bring hither the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the psaltery.

Commentary

Psalms 81:2 is a vibrant call to worship, urging the assembly to engage in musical praise to God. It sets the scene for a joyful and communal expression of devotion, characteristic of ancient Israelite festivals and gatherings.

Context

This verse is part of a larger psalm that begins with an exhortation to sing aloud to God, our strength (Psalm 81:1). Psalm 81 is believed to be a psalm for a feast day, likely one of the major pilgrim festivals such as the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) or Passover, where music and celebration were central to the observance. The following verses (Psalm 81:3 and Psalm 81:4) reinforce this by mentioning the new moon and solemn feast days, indicating a specific time for national remembrance and worship of God's deliverance from Egypt.

Key Themes

  • Worship Through Music: The primary theme is the active and enthusiastic use of music as a means of praising God. This isn't passive listening but an invitation to participate.
  • Joyful Praise: The instruments mentioned—the timbrel, pleasant harp, and psaltery—are associated with celebration and joy, suggesting that worship should be a delightful and uplifting experience.
  • Communal Engagement: The command "bring hither" implies a collective act, encouraging the entire community to join in the musical offering.

Linguistic Insights

The verse specifies three key instruments:

  • Timbrel (Hebrew: toph): A type of hand drum or tambourine, often associated with spontaneous and joyful celebration, famously used by Miriam after the crossing of the Red Sea. It adds a percussive beat to the worship.
  • Harp (Hebrew: kinnor): A stringed instrument, widely used in Israelite worship. King David was a renowned player of the harp, often soothing Saul with its melodies and using it in prophetic contexts.
  • Psaltery (Hebrew: nebel): Another stringed instrument, likely a lyre or lute, often mentioned alongside the harp. Its "pleasant" quality emphasizes the aesthetic and pleasing aspect of worship music.

The phrase "Take a psalm" (Hebrew: siyumu zimrah) can be understood as "raise a song" or "set forth a melody," highlighting the vocal component of praise alongside the instrumental.

Practical Application

Psalms 81:2 reminds believers today of the enduring value of music in worship. It encourages us to:

  • Engage Heartily: Whether through singing, playing instruments, or simply listening with a receptive heart, worship should be an active and intentional expression of devotion.
  • Embrace Diversity in Worship: Just as ancient Israel used various instruments, modern worship can incorporate diverse musical styles and instruments to glorify God.
  • Cultivate Joy: Worship is not merely a duty but an opportunity for joyful communion with God, reflecting the gladness of His presence and His mighty acts. This verse aligns with the broader biblical call to serve the Lord with gladness.

This verse serves as an invitation to make our praise robust, varied, and heartfelt, echoing the command found in Psalm 150 to praise God with every instrument.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 92:3

    Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.

  • Exodus 15:20

    And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

  • Psalms 149:1

    ¶ Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, [and] his praise in the congregation of saints.

  • Psalms 149:3

    Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

  • Mark 14:26

    And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

  • Psalms 95:1

    ¶ O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

  • Psalms 95:2

    Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
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