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

PSALMS 81:2KJV
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Psalms 81:2 (KJV)

What does Psalms 81:2 mean?

Psalms 81:2 is a call to joyful worship using music, inviting people to sing a psalm and play instruments like the timbrel, harp, and psaltery. The verse encourages a lively, communal celebration as part of honoring God.

The psalmist, traditionally understood as Asaph, is addressing the people of Israel, urging them to gather and praise God with music. This verse is part of a larger psalm that recalls God’s deliverance and faithfulness, and the musical instruments mentioned were commonly used in festive worship during Israel’s religious gatherings.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 81:2

  • "Take" (נָשָׂא, nāśā’): This word often means "lift up" or "carry," so the sense here is to "raise" a song, not just to receive it passively.
  • "Psalm" (זִמְרָה, zimrāh): This word refers specifically to a song of praise, usually accompanied by music, highlighting the celebratory and musical nature of the worship.
  • "Timbrel" (תֹּף, tof): The timbrel is a hand drum or tambourine, an instrument associated with joy and dancing, emphasizing the festive mood.
  • "Pleasant" (נָעִים, na‘im): This word means "sweet" or "delightful," describing the harp’s sound as especially enjoyable and fitting for worship.
  • "Harp" (כִּנּוֹר, kinnor): The harp was a stringed instrument, central in ancient Israelite music, known for its gentle and melodious tones.
  • "Psaltery" (נֵבֶל, nevel): The psaltery was another stringed instrument, possibly larger or deeper in tone than the harp, adding variety and richness to the music.

Why Psalms 81:2 matters

  • Psalms 81:2 shows that worship in ancient Israel was not just spoken but involved music and instruments, reflecting a full-bodied, joyful response to God.
  • The verse highlights the communal aspect of worship, as these instruments were played together in gatherings, not just by individuals.
  • By naming specific instruments, the verse connects to Israel’s traditions and festivals, helping readers picture the lively and celebratory atmosphere of biblical worship.

Where else these words appear

“psalm” Hebrew H2172 · used in 4 verses

  • Psalms 98:5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
  • 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.
  • Amos 5:23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

“pleasant” Hebrew H5273 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 1:23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
  • Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
  • Proverbs 22:18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

“timbrel” Hebrew H8596 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
  • 2 Samuel 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
  • Isaiah 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

“psaltery” Hebrew H5035 · used in 37 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
  • 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:
  • Psalms 108:2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.