Psalm 92:3

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

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) Ten strings.—See Note, Psalm 33:2.

Upon the harp with a solemn sound.—Rather, with music of the harp. For the Hebrew word, see Note, Psalm 9:16.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

92:1-6 It is a privilege that we are admitted to praise the Lord, and hope to be accepted in the morning, and every night; not only on sabbath days, but every day; not only in public, but in private, and in our families. Let us give thanks every morning for the mercies of the night, and every night for the mercies of the day; going out, and coming in, let us bless God. As He makes us glad, through the works of his providence for us, and of his grace in us, and both through the great work of redemption, let us hence be encouraged. As there are many who know not the designs of Providence, nor care to know them, those who through grace do so, have the more reason to be thankful. And if distant views of the great Deliverer so animated believers of old, how should we abound in love and praise!

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Upon an instrument of ten strings - The general idea in this verse is, that instruments "of all kinds" are to be employed in celebrating the praises of God. On the instrument here referred to, see the notes at Psalm 33:2.

And upon the psaltery - Or "lyre." See the notes at Isaiah 5:12. The word is there translated viol.

Upon the harp with a solemn sound - Margin, upon the solemn sound with the harp." Prof. Alexander renders this, "On meditation with a harp." On the word rendered "harp," see the notes at Isaiah 5:12. The Hebrew word rendered "solemn sound" is הגיון higgâyôn which means properly "murmur;" then, the sound of a harp; and then, meditation. See the notes at Psalm 9:16. Here the meaning seems to be, "with murmurs upon the harp;" that is, with the sound of the harp - its murmuring tones. It does not denote here a distinct instrument of music, but it refers to the tones of the harp: not to the meditations of the mind - of the worshipper - but to the low and gentle sounds of the instrument itself.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

3. In such a work all proper aid must be used.

with a … sound—or, on Higgaion (see on [629]Ps 9:16), perhaps an instrument of that name, from its sound resembling the muttered sound of meditation, as expressed also by the word. This is joined with the harp.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Upon an instrument of ten strings,.... An harp of ten strings, as the Targum. The harp invented by Terpander had only seven strings (c); according to Pliny (d); Simonides added the eighth, and Timotheus the ninth; but this of David was of ten strings:

and upon the psaltery; of which See Gill on Psalm 33:2, "upon the harp with a solemn sound"; or "upon higgaon with the harp"; which "higgaon", Aben Ezra says, was either the tune of a song, or an instrument of music; all these instruments of music were typical of the spiritual joy and melody which the saints have in their hearts when they praise the Lord; hence mention is made of harps in particular in this spiritual sense, under the Gospel dispensation, Revelation 5:8.

(c) Suidas in voce Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 7. c. 56. (d) Ibid.

Geneva Study Bible

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

(c) These instruments were then permitted in the Church as also they are now. (Ed.)

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. With decachord and with psaltery,

With meditative music on the harp.

In Psalm 33:2; Psalm 144:9, ten-stringed is an epithet of psaltery, but here two instruments seem to be meant. Higgâyôn occurs in Psalm 9:16 as a technical term, denoting apparently an instrumental interlude. The word denotes musing or meditation in Psalm 19:14. See Introd. p. xxiv.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery. Some think that only one instrument is intended here, and translate, "Upon an instrument of ten strings, even upon the psaltery" (or, "the lute"). (On the character of the psaltery, see the comment on Psalm 33:2.) Upon the harp with a solemn sound. The reference is clearly to the public service of the temple, since in the private devotions of the faithful instruments were not likely to be used. Psalm 92:3

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The Sabbath is the day that God has hallowed, and that is to be consecrated to God by our turning away from the business pursuits of the working days (Isaiah 58:13.) and applying ourselves to the praise and adoration of God, which is the most proper, blessed Sabbath employment. It is good, i.e., not merely good in the eyes of God, but also good for man, beneficial to the heart, pleasant and blessed. Loving-kindness is designedly connected with the dawn of the morning, for it is morning light itself, which breaks through the night (Psalm 30:6; Psalm 59:17), and faithfulness with the nights, for in the perils of the loneliness of the night it is the best companion, and nights of affliction are the "foil of its verification." עשׂור beside נבל (נבל) is equivalent to נבל עשׂור in Psalm 33:2; Psalm 144:9 : the ten-stringed harp or lyre. הגּיון is the music of stringed instruments (vid., on Psalm 9:17), and that, since הגה in itself is not a suitable word for the rustling (strepitus) of the strings, the impromptu or phantasia playing (in Amos 6:5, scornfully, פּרט), which suits both Psalm 9:17 (where it is appended to the forte of the interlude) and the construction with Beth instrumenti.