Psalms 81:2 Meaning and Explanation
“Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Musical instruments accompany the call to praise God.
The Context of Psalms 81:2
Organized worship employs music as a channel for communal praise.
What Does Psalms 81:2 Mean?
The verse summons worshippers to gather specific instruments—timbrel (percussion), harp, and psaltery (stringed instruments)—indicating that corporate worship was richly musical in Israel's practice. These weren't incidental decorations but integral to how the community expressed devotion.
The phrase 'pleasant harp' suggests that instrumental beauty served worship, creating an atmosphere of joy and refinement. The combination of instruments reflects the depth of Israel's musical tradition and the seriousness with which they approached singing to God.
Psalms 81:2 in the Original Language
psaltery (κιθάρα, kithara in Greek; נָבֶל, navel in Hebrew) — a multi-stringed instrument that produced the harp-like sound central to temple worship
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 81:2
What does Psalms 81:2 mean?
Musical instruments accompany the call to praise God.
What is the context of Psalms 81:2?
Organized worship employs music as a channel for communal praise.