The cithern, also known as the cittern, is a stringed musical instrument that is often associated with ancient and biblical times. While the specific term "cithern" does not appear in the Bible, it is commonly understood to be a type of lyre or harp, instruments that are frequently mentioned in the Scriptures. The cithern is characterized by its flat back and typically has a pear-shaped body, with strings that are plucked to produce sound.

Biblical Context and Usage

In the Bible, stringed instruments are often mentioned in the context of worship and celebration. They were used in various religious ceremonies, festivals, and personal expressions of joy and lament. The Book of Psalms, in particular, frequently references the use of stringed instruments in worship. For example, Psalm 150:3-4 exhorts believers to "praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute."

The cithern, as a type of stringed instrument, would have been used in similar contexts. It is believed to have been part of the musical ensemble that accompanied the singing of psalms and hymns in the temple and other places of worship. The use of such instruments was integral to the worship practices of ancient Israel, serving to enhance the communal and spiritual experience of the worshippers.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The cithern, like other stringed instruments, holds significant cultural and historical importance in the biblical narrative. Music played a vital role in the life of the Israelites, serving as a means of expressing devotion, recounting God's deeds, and fostering community cohesion. The skillful playing of instruments like the cithern was highly valued, as seen in the appointment of skilled musicians for temple service (1 Chronicles 25:1-7).

In addition to its role in worship, the cithern and similar instruments were also used in royal courts and during times of celebration. King David, known for his musical talent, is often associated with the harp, a close relative of the cithern. His musical abilities were not only a source of personal solace but also served to soothe King Saul during times of distress (1 Samuel 16:23).

Symbolism and Spiritual Reflection

The cithern, as a symbol of worship and praise, reflects the biblical emphasis on music as a divine gift and a means of connecting with God. The harmonious sounds produced by the cithern and other instruments are seen as an offering of beauty and reverence to the Creator. In the broader biblical narrative, music is portrayed as a powerful tool for spiritual expression, capable of conveying the depths of human emotion and the heights of divine adoration.

The use of the cithern in biblical times serves as a reminder of the importance of incorporating music into worship and the life of faith. It underscores the belief that music, when used to glorify God, becomes a sacred act that transcends mere performance, drawing believers closer to the divine presence.(n.) See Cittern.CITHERN

sith'-ern (kithara; 1 Maccabees 4:54 the King James Version, kitharais kai kinurais is translated "citherns and harps"; the Revised Version (British and American) "harps and lutes"; compare guitar, zither): As 1 Maccabees was originally written in Hebrew, it is natural to suppose that these two Greek words stand for Hebrew nebhalim and kinnoroth; but to this it may be objected that kithara and kinura are not used elsewhere together to represent two different instruments. On the contrary we have either kinura kai nabla or kithara kai psalterion. The most probable explanation of the unusual collocation of these two words in 1 Maccabees is that kithara was a gloss meant to explain the obsolescent kinura.

See MUSIC.

James Millar

From Such Causes as These this Also Has Followed...
... with his dress girt up as a workman prepares [4653] for his work; the Delian god
with a plectrum and lyre, gesticulating like a player on the cithern and an ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/12 from such causes as.htm

Letter cvii. To Laeta.
... be so too. Let her be deaf to the sound of the organ, and not know even
the uses of the pipe, the lyre, and the cithern. 9. And ...
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Cithern
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) See Cittern. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CITHERN. sith'-ern (kithara; 1 Maccabees 4:54 the King ...
/c/cithern.htm - 7k

Citadels (15 Occurrences)

/c/citadels.htm - 9k

Zither (3 Occurrences)
... it. [Not to be confounded with the old lute-shaped cittern, or cithern.].
Multi-Version Concordance Zither (3 Occurrences). Daniel ...
/z/zither.htm - 7k

Cities (427 Occurrences)

/c/cities.htm - 91k

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