### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb *kitharízō* (`{{G2789}}`) is derived from the noun *kithara* (`{{G2788}}`), which refers to a lyre or cithara, a stringed musical instrument similar to a harp. The base definition of *kitharízō* is "to play on a lyre" or "to harp." Its semantic range is quite narrow, specifically denoting the act of producing music from this particular instrument. It does not extend to other forms of musical performance or general expressions of praise, but precisely to the skilled manipulation of the cithara to create sound.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb *kitharízō* (`{{G2789}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, exclusively within the book of Revelation.
* **[[Revelation 14:2]]**: "And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps."
In this passage, *kitharízō* describes the action of "harpers" (*kitharōdōn*, `{{G2787}}`) in a heavenly scene. The sound is depicted as immense and powerful, akin to many waters and great thunder, yet also melodious, emanating from those who stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion. These are identified as the 144,000, "purchased from the earth," "first fruits to God and to the Lamb," and "without fault before the throne of God." The act of "harping" here signifies a profound act of worship and praise, performed by the redeemed in the presence of divine glory. It is a sound associated with purity, redemption, and direct communion with the divine.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{G2788}}` κιθάρα (kithara):** The noun "cithara" or "harp," the instrument itself, is the root of *kitharízō*. It appears multiple times in Revelation (e.g., [[Revelation 5:8]], [[Revelation 15:2]]), consistently in contexts of heavenly worship, where elders and triumphant saints hold these instruments as they sing praises to God and the Lamb.
* **`{{G2787}}` κιθαρῳδός (kitharōdos):** This noun means "harper" or "cithara-player," someone who plays the *kithara* and often sings. It appears alongside *kitharízō* in [[Revelation 14:2]] and is also found in [[Revelation 18:22]] in a contrasting context of earthly Babylon's fall, where such music ceases.
* **Music in Worship:** The concept of instrumental music as an integral part of worship is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. The *kinnor* (lyre/harp, `{{H3658}}`) and *nevel* (harp/lute, `{{H5035}}`) were prominent in Temple worship, prophetic settings, and the Psalms (e.g., [[Psalm 33:2]], [[Psalm 150:3]]). The depiction of "harping" in Revelation establishes a continuity with this rich tradition, portraying it as a timeless and fitting expression of praise before God.
* **Worship and Adoration:** Fundamentally, *kitharízō* in its biblical context is an act of worship and adoration. It is a means by which the redeemed express their reverence, joy, and gratitude to God and the Lamb.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of *kitharízō* (`{{G2789}}`) in the New Testament carries profound theological weight, particularly within the eschatological vision of Revelation.
* **Heavenly Liturgy:** The act of "harping" underscores the vibrant and audible nature of worship in the heavenly realm. It suggests that music, specifically instrumental praise, is an enduring and essential component of glorifying God in eternity. This scene provides a glimpse into the celestial liturgy, where the redeemed actively participate in divine adoration.
* **Purity and Redemption:** The "harpers" in [[Revelation 14:2]] are explicitly identified as those who are redeemed, "without fault," and devoted followers of the Lamb. Their harping is not merely a performance but an outflow of their purified state and their intimate relationship with God. It symbolizes a form of worship that is acceptable and pleasing to the divine.
* **Continuity of Praise:** The use of the harp, an instrument deeply familiar from Old Testament worship, suggests a continuity in the forms and spirit of praise across covenants. It implies that the ultimate worship in heaven will resonate with and perfect the forms of praise offered by God's people throughout history.
* **Audible Expression of Glory:** The verb emphasizes the *action* of playing, signifying that heavenly praise is not merely an internal sentiment but an outward, resonant, and collective expression of glory. It is a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and the Lamb's victory.
### Summary
The Greek verb *kitharízō* (`{{G2789}}`), meaning "to play the cithara" or "to harp," appears uniquely in the New Testament in [[Revelation 14:2]]. In this solitary occurrence, it vividly portrays the redeemed in heaven engaged in an act of powerful and melodious worship, "harping with their harps." Derived from *kithara* (`{{G2788}}`), the instrument itself, *kitharízō* signifies a pure and audible expression of praise offered to God and the Lamb by those who have been redeemed. This act underscores the reality of vibrant musical worship in the celestial realm, connecting with Old Testament traditions of instrumental praise and highlighting music as an eternal and essential component of glorifying the Almighty. Thus, *kitharízō* represents a profound symbol of triumphant, pure, and continuous adoration in the presence of divine glory.
TRV