The psaltery is a stringed musical instrument mentioned in the Bible, often associated with worship and praise. It is similar to a harp or lyre and was used in various religious and ceremonial contexts in ancient Israel. The psaltery is noted for its role in the musical accompaniment of psalms and hymns, contributing to the rich tradition of music in biblical worship.

Biblical References:

The psaltery is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of temple worship and royal ceremonies. In 2 Samuel 6:5 , it is recorded, "David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals." Here, the psaltery is implied as part of the ensemble of instruments used in the joyous procession of the Ark of the Covenant.

In 1 Chronicles 15:16 , King David commands the Levites to appoint musicians for the transportation of the Ark: "David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals." The psaltery, as a type of lyre, would have been included in this array of instruments.

The Book of Psalms, a central text for understanding the use of musical instruments in worship, frequently mentions the psaltery. Psalm 33:2 exhorts, "Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings." While the specific term "psaltery" is not used here, the reference to a ten-stringed instrument aligns with descriptions of the psaltery.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The psaltery, as an ancient instrument, was likely constructed from wood and strung with gut or metal strings. It was played by plucking or strumming, producing a melodious sound suitable for both solemn and celebratory occasions. The design and construction of the psaltery varied over time and across regions, but it consistently served as a key instrument in the musical life of Israel.

In the context of temple worship, the psaltery was used by the Levites, who were appointed as musicians and singers. Their role was to lead the congregation in worship, using instruments like the psaltery to enhance the spiritual experience and facilitate communal praise.

Theological Significance:

The use of the psaltery in biblical worship underscores the importance of music in expressing devotion and reverence to God. It symbolizes the harmony and beauty of creation, reflecting the order and majesty of the divine. The psaltery, along with other instruments, was integral to the liturgical practices of ancient Israel, serving as a means to glorify God and unite the community in worship.

The psaltery's presence in the biblical narrative highlights the value placed on artistic expression in the service of God. It serves as a reminder of the role of music in spiritual life, encouraging believers to use their talents and resources to honor the Creator.A musical instrument, supposed to have been a kind of lyre, or a harp with twelve strings. The Hebrew word nebhel, so rendered, is translated "viol" in Isaiah 5:12 (R.V., "lute"); 14:11. In Dan. 3:5, 7, 10, 15, the word thus rendered is Chaldaic, pesanterin, which is supposed to be a word of Greek origin denoting an instrument of the harp kind. (n.) A stringed instrument of music used by the Hebrews, the form of which is not known.PSALTERY

sol'-ter-i.

See MUSIC.

6460. pesanterin -- (a triangular stringed instrument) perhaps ...
... (a triangular stringed instrument) perhaps trigon. Transliteration: pesanterin Phonetic
Spelling: (pes-an-tay-reen') Short Definition: psaltery. ... psaltery. ...
/hebrew/6460.htm - 6k

5035. nebel -- a skin bottle, skin, jar, pitcher
... a skin bottle, skin, jar, pitcher. Transliteration: nebel Phonetic Spelling:
(neh'-bel) Short Definition: bottle. bottle, pitcher, psaltery, vessel, viol ...
/hebrew/5035.htm - 5k

3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel
... artillery, bag, carriage, + furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made
of, X one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, + psaltery, sack, stuff ...
/hebrew/3627.htm - 6k

Psalm CXLIX.
... west. [5981] "Let them sing a psalm unto Him with timbrel and psaltery."
Wherefore taketh he to him the "timbrel and psaltery"? That ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlix.htm

How to Conduct Ourselves at Feasts.
... "Praise Him on the psaltery;" for the tongue is the psaltery of the Lord. ... "Confess
to the Lord on the harp; play to Him on the psaltery of ten strings. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iv how to conduct ourselves.htm

Psalm XLIII.
... "Yea, upon the harp will I praise Thee, O God my God." What is the meaning
of "praising on the harp," and praising on the psaltery? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xliii.htm

The Preacher and the Enemy
... "O Lord, whose lips are lilies, sweet to me. As psaltery and as psalm,. ... "O child,
My heart's beloved, sweet to Me,. As psaltery and as psalm,. ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter lvii the preacher and.htm

Out of the Depths
... O Lord, whose lips are lilies, sweet to me. As psaltery and as psalm,. ... I cannot lose
again. "O child, My heart's beloved, sweet to me,. As psaltery and as psalm, ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/out of the depths.htm

For I Will Now Return, after a Sort of Digression, to the Point I ...
... In this same treatise he admonishes the reader that it is wrong to study secular
literature, and says, "What has Horace to do with the Psaltery, or Virgil with ...
/.../6 for i will now.htm

Psalm CL.
... "Praise Him in the psaltery and harp." The ... "Praise Him on the strings and organ."
Both psaltery and harp, which have been mentioned above, have strings. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cl.htm

Psalm XCII.
... 5. "Upon a psaltery of ten strings, with a song, and upon the harp" (ver.3). Ye
have not heard of the psaltery of ten strings for the first time: it signifies ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcii.htm

On the Psalms. I.
... This book of Psalms before us has also been called by the prophet the "Psalter,"
because, as they say, the psaltery alone among musical instruments gives back ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on the psalms i.htm

Psalm LVII.
... Passion. "Rise up, psaltery and harp." He calleth upon what to rise? ... risen.
The one organ then is the psaltery, the other the harp. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lvii.htm

Psaltery (17 Occurrences)
... known. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PSALTERY. sol'-ter-i. See MUSIC.
Multi-Version Concordance Psaltery (17 Occurrences). 1 ...
/p/psaltery.htm - 12k

Dulcimer (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) An ancient musical instrument in use among the Jews. Dan. iii. 5. It is
supposed to be the same with the psaltery. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/d/dulcimer.htm - 8k

Musick (10 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the ...
/m/musick.htm - 9k

Cornet (8 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the ...
/c/cornet.htm - 11k

Sackbut (4 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the ...
/s/sackbut.htm - 8k

Sambuca (4 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, pipe, lute, sambuca,
psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the ...
/s/sambuca.htm - 7k

Trigon (3 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the ...
/t/trigon.htm - 7k

Pipes (9 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That when the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe,
and all sorts of instruments, comes to your ears, you are to go down on your ...
/p/pipes.htm - 9k

Bagpipe (4 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That when the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe,
and all sorts of instruments, comes to your ears, you are to go down on your ...
/b/bagpipe.htm - 8k

Symphony (3 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 at the time that ye hear the voice of the cornet, the flute, the harp,
the sackbut, the psaltery, the symphony, and all kinds of music, ye fall down ...
/s/symphony.htm - 8k

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