Psalms 98:5

KJV

Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

KJV (with Strong's)

Sing {H2167} unto the LORD {H3068} with the harp {H3658}; with the harp {H3658}, and the voice {H6963} of a psalm {H2172}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sing praises to ADONAI with the lyre, with the lyre and melodious music!

Berean Standard Bible

Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, in melodious song with the harp.

American Standard Version

Sing praises unto Jehovah with the harp; With the harp and the voice of melody.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 98:5 issues a vibrant and direct call to worship, exhorting all creation, and specifically the people of God, to express profound adoration for the LORD through a harmonious combination of instrumental and vocal praise. This verse, strategically placed within a psalm that celebrates God's universal kingship, His righteous acts of salvation, and His coming judgment, underscores the joyful, holistic, and intentional nature of worship. It invites believers to engage all their faculties—skill, voice, and spirit—in proclaiming the divine majesty, unwavering faithfulness, and redemptive power of the sovereign God, affirming that praise is the fitting and necessary response to His wondrous deeds.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 98 is a pivotal entry within a distinct collection of "royal psalms" (Psalms 93-100), all of which resoundingly proclaim and celebrate the LORD's kingship, His righteous governance, and His universal dominion. These psalms are often characterized by the imperative to "Sing to the LORD a new song," a theme echoed in [Psalm 96:1](/psalms/96-1 "Psalm 96:1 - Sing a New Song") and [Psalm 33:3](/psalms/33-3 "Psalm 33:3 - Play Skillfully a New Song"), signifying a fresh, enthusiastic response to God's ongoing acts of salvation. The preceding verses of Psalm 98 lay the foundational groundwork for this exuberant praise by recounting God's "marvelous deeds" ([Psalm 98:1](/psalms/98-1 "Psalm 98:1 - God's Marvelous Deeds")), particularly highlighting how His "right hand and His holy arm" have secured salvation. They also emphasize God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with Israel, setting the theological stage for a global chorus of adoration. Verse 5 specifically transitions from the general call to worship to a more particular and detailed instruction regarding the musical execution of this praise, specifying the instruments and vocal elements to be employed.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Music was not merely an accompaniment but an indispensable and central element of ancient Israelite worship, from the nomadic Tabernacle era to the established Temple cult in Jerusalem. Instruments like the harp (`kinnôr`), lyre (`nēḇel`), trumpet (`šôp̄ār`), and cymbal (`ṣelāṣel`) were integral to virtually every aspect of Israel's spiritual life, including liturgical ceremonies, royal processions, prophetic declarations, and personal devotion. King David, famously known as "the sweet psalmist of Israel" ([2 Samuel 23:1](/2_samuel/23-1 "2 Samuel 23:1 - David, the Sweet Psalmist")), meticulously organized the Levitical musicians for Temple service, ensuring that instrumental and vocal praise accompanied sacrifices, festivals, and daily offerings ([1 Chronicles 15:16](/1_chronicles/15-16 "1 Chronicles 15:16 - David Appoints Musicians")). The harp, or `kinnôr`, was a widely used and versatile stringed instrument, often associated with joy, prophecy, and the soothing of troubled spirits (as seen with David and Saul). Its prominent mention in this psalm of exuberant praise is thus entirely fitting, reflecting its esteemed place in Israelite worship.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 98:5 profoundly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes within Psalm 98 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it amplifies the theme of **Universal Worship**, as the psalm culminates in a magnificent call for the entire created order—including the seas, rivers, and mountains—to join in praising the LORD ([Psalm 98:7-8](/psalms/98-7 "Psalm 98:7-8 - Nature Praises God")). This verse provides the specific means by which humanity participates in this cosmic adoration. Secondly, it underscores **Holistic Adoration**, emphasizing that true worship should engage both instrumental skill and heartfelt vocal expression, combining artistic excellence with sincere spiritual proclamation. Thirdly, the imperative to "sing" implies a **Joyful and Enthusiastic Response** to God's character and His mighty acts of salvation and righteousness, which are central to the psalm's profound message ([Psalm 98:2-3](/psalms/98-2 "Psalm 98:2-3 - God's Salvation and Faithfulness")). Finally, by calling for praise to "the LORD," it reinforces the foundational theme of **God's Kingship and Righteous Judgment**, positioning worship as the appropriate and necessary response to the sovereign LORD who "comes to judge the earth" with equity and justice ([Psalm 98:9](/psalms/98-9 "Psalm 98:9 - God Comes to Judge")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sing (Hebrew, _zâmar'_):** This primitive root verb (H2167) carries the primary meaning "to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument," thereby "to play upon it." It extends to "make music," often "accompanied by the voice," and consequently "to celebrate in song and music," or "give praise." The nuance of `zâmar` suggests an intentional, skillful, and joyful act of musical worship, often involving both instrumental and vocal elements. Its use here indicates that the act of singing is not merely an emotional utterance but a dedicated, artful offering of praise directed specifically towards the Divine.
* **Harp (Hebrew, _kinnôwr'_):** The `kinnôwr` (H3658) refers to a lyre-type stringed instrument, typically portable and played by plucking the strings with fingers or a plectrum. It was a ubiquitous and highly regarded instrument in ancient Israel, known for its pleasant, melodious sound. Its dual mention in this verse, "with the harp; with the harp," emphatically highlights its prominence and perhaps its foundational role in the instrumental ensemble for worship. The `kinnôwr` was famously associated with King David's musical prowess and his deep spiritual devotion, making it a quintessential instrument of praise and a symbol of heartfelt adoration.
* **Voice of a psalm (Hebrew, _qôl zimrâh'_):** This phrase combines `qôwl` (H6963), meaning "voice" or "sound," with `zimrâh` (H2172), which denotes "a musical piece or song to be accompanied by an instrument," or "melody/psalm." The combination literally translates to "sound of melody" or "voice of song." This emphasizes the crucial vocal component of worship—the actual singing of psalms or melodic songs with articulated words. It highlights that worship is not solely instrumental but involves the human voice giving expression to the words, sentiments, and theological truths embedded within the psalm itself, fostering a holistic and profound act of praise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Sing unto the LORD with the harp;":** This initial clause functions as a direct and powerful imperative, "Sing," establishing the primary mode of worship. The explicit object of this praise is "the LORD" (Yahweh, H3068), underscoring that all worship is ultimately directed to the covenant-keeping God of Israel, the self-Existent and Eternal One. The immediate instruction "with the harp" introduces the instrumental dimension, specifying a key instrument for this musical offering. This sets a tone of intentional, organized, and melodious adoration, inviting the worshiper to engage with skill and artistry.
* **"with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.":** The repetition of "with the harp" serves as a powerful emphatic reiteration, underscoring the instrument's significance and perhaps its central, foundational role in the desired musical ensemble. This repetition creates a rhythmic emphasis, suggesting a sustained and robust instrumental accompaniment. Following this, the phrase "and the voice of a psalm" introduces and emphasizes the vocal element, clarifying that the worship is not exclusively instrumental but also involves the singing of actual psalms or melodic songs. This concluding phrase beautifully integrates the instrumental and vocal aspects, calling for a holistic and harmonious expression of praise that engages both musical artistry and articulated adoration, uniting sound and word in worship.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 98:5 is rich with several potent literary devices that enhance its message and impact. The most prominent is **Repetition**, particularly evident in the phrase "with the harp," which appears twice in close succession. This repetition is not redundant but serves to emphasize the instrument's significance and central role in worship, creating a rhythmic, almost incantatory quality that reinforces the command for musical praise. This also contributes to the verse's **Parallelism**, specifically a type of synonymous or expanding parallelism, where the two clauses, though similar, build upon each other. The first clause introduces the harp, and the second reiterates its importance while adding the crucial "voice of a psalm," thus creating a fuller and more comprehensive picture of the desired worship. The verse also employs the **Imperative Mood** with the command "Sing," which functions as a direct and urgent exhortation, urging the audience to active, participatory, and intentional engagement in praise. Finally, **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche** is subtly at play, where "the harp" and "the voice of a psalm" serve as representative examples, standing in for instrumental and vocal worship generally, thereby encompassing the broader categories of musical expression offered to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 98:5 beautifully encapsulates the biblical emphasis on worship as a joyful, active, and multi-faceted response to God's inherent character and His mighty deeds in history. It highlights that praise is not merely an emotional outburst but a deliberate and artful offering that engages both skill and spirit. Theologically, it affirms God's absolute worthiness of all praise, connecting instrumental and vocal worship directly to His acts of salvation and righteous judgment, as celebrated throughout the psalm. This verse, therefore, serves as a timeless invitation to participate in the cosmic chorus of adoration for the sovereign LORD, echoing the heavenly worship described in Revelation where all creation bows before the throne. It underscores that our worship is a grateful and appropriate response to the God who has revealed His power and faithfulness.

* [Psalm 33:2-3](/psalms/33-2 "Psalm 33:2-3 - Praise God with Instruments and a New Song")
* [Ephesians 5:19](/ephesians/5-19 "Ephesians 5:19 - Singing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs")
* [Colossians 3:16](/colossians/3-16 "Colossians 3:16 - Let the Word of Christ Dwell Richly")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 98:5 offers profound and enduring insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that authentic worship is a dynamic and holistic engagement with God, not a passive observation. It challenges us to move beyond mere attendance to active participation, encouraging us to employ all our God-given gifts—whether musical, vocal, creative, or otherwise—to honor the LORD with excellence and devotion. The explicit call to use both instruments and voice suggests that our worship should be both artful and heartfelt, combining skilled expression with sincere, Spirit-filled devotion. This verse encourages us to cultivate a spirit of profound joy and enthusiastic gratitude in our praise, recognizing that our worship is a grateful and fitting response to God's marvelous deeds, His unwavering faithfulness throughout history, and His righteous reign over all creation. It invites us to deeply consider how we can more fully and intentionally offer our praise, ensuring that our expressions of adoration are not only pleasing to God but also spiritually enriching for ourselves and powerfully edifying for the community of faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the combination of instrumental and vocal praise in this verse challenge or affirm your current understanding and practice of worship?**
* **Beyond formal church services, in what ways can you more intentionally and holistically offer your personal praise to the LORD throughout your daily life?**
* **What specific "marvelous deeds" of the LORD, either in your personal life or in the broader world, compel you to "sing unto the LORD with the harp... and the voice of a psalm" with renewed passion?**

### FAQ
**Why is the "harp" specifically mentioned twice in this verse?**

Answer: The double mention of "the harp" (Hebrew: `kinnôwr`, H3658) serves primarily as an emphatic repetition, underscoring its profound prominence and importance in ancient Israelite worship. This literary device highlights the harp as a quintessential instrument of praise, perhaps even a foundational one, in the musical ensemble of the time. This repetition creates a rhythmic emphasis, reinforcing the command to engage instrumental music in worship with fervor and skill. It also contributes to the psalm's overall tone of exuberant and full-hearted praise, suggesting a rich and layered musical offering to the LORD, who has performed "marvelous deeds" ([Psalm 98:1](/psalms/98-1 "Psalm 98:1 - God's Marvelous Deeds")) worthy of such elaborate adoration.

**Does this verse mean that only harps and singing are acceptable forms of worship?**

Answer: No, this verse does not limit worship solely to harps and singing. While it specifically names the harp and the "voice of a psalm," these should be understood as representative examples of the instrumental and vocal praise forms most common and esteemed in ancient Israelite worship. The broader context of the Psalms and other biblical texts reveals a wide array of instruments used in worship, including trumpets, lyres, cymbals, and tambourines ([Psalm 150:3-5](/psalms/150-3 "Psalm 150:3-5 - Praise God with All Instruments")). The verse's primary message is to encourage active, joyful, and holistic musical worship, employing both instruments and voice with skill and devotion, rather than prescribing a rigid or exhaustive list of acceptable forms. It is a timeless call to use all available and appropriate means to express profound adoration for the LORD.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 98:5, with its vibrant call to instrumental and vocal praise for the LORD, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest redemptive meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalm celebrates the LORD's past acts of salvation and anticipates His coming judgment, the New Testament reveals Jesus as the incarnate LORD, the very One through whom God's salvation is fully and definitively realized for all humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Our "new song" of praise, so earnestly encouraged in this psalm, is now sung in direct response to Christ's unparalleled redemptive work on the cross, His glorious resurrection, and His ascension, which ushered in the new covenant era. The holistic worship described here foreshadows the spiritual worship "in spirit and truth" that Jesus himself taught ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), where the external forms of praise are animated by an internal reality transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Moreover, the collective, universal praise envisioned in Psalm 98 powerfully anticipates the heavenly chorus of redeemed believers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, gathered around the throne of the [Lamb who was slain](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb Who Was Slain"). They sing a truly "new song" of redemption, a song of cosmic praise that echoes through eternity, celebrating Christ's worthiness to receive all glory, honor, and power ([Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The New Song to the Lamb")). Thus, our contemporary worship, whether expressed through instruments or voice, becomes a profound participation in this eternal song of praise to Christ, the King who has come and will come again to judge the earth in perfect righteousness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 51:3

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Psalms 33:2

Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings.

Psalms 92:3

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

Psalms 92:4

For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

2 Chronicles 29:25

And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for [so was] the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.

1 Chronicles 25:1

¶ Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

1 Chronicles 25:6

All these [were] under the hands of their father for song [in] the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.