Psalm 98:5

Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) Sing . . .—Rather, Play to Jehovah on a harp. on a harp, and with melodious sound of music.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

98:4-9 Let all the children of men rejoice in the setting up the kingdom of Christ, for all may benefit by it. The different orders of rational creatures in the universe, seem to be described in figurative language in the reign of the great Messiah. The kingdom of Christ will be a blessing to the whole creation. We expect his second coming to begin his glorious reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the redeemed shall be full. But sin and its dreadful effects will not be utterly done away, till the Lord come to judge the world in righteousness. Seeing then that we look for such things, let us give diligence that we may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Sing unto the Lord with the harp - A song or psalm accompanied by the harp. On the harp. See the notes at Isaiah 5:12.

And the voice of a psalm - The voice in singing; a musical voice. Let it not be mere instrumental music, but let that be accompanied with the voice uttering intelligible sounds or words. The only proper use of instrumental music in the worship of God is to deepen the impression which the words are adapted to make; to secure a better influence of truth on the heart.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4-6. make a loud noise—or, "burst forth" (Isa 14:7; 44:23).

before … King—hail Him as your sovereign; and while, with every aid to demonstrate zeal and joy, intelligent creatures are invited to praise, as in Ps 96:11-13, inanimate nature is also summoned to honor Him who triumphs and rules in righteousness and equity.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

The worship of the New Testament is here described in phrases taken from the rites of the old, as Psalm 92:3, and oft elsewhere.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Sing unto the Lord with the harp,.... Playing upon that at the same time: here and in the following verse is an allusion to Old Testament worship, and the manner of performing that; not that this should be done in New Testament times, only New Testament worship is expressed in Old Testament language, which is no unusual thing; hence in Gospel times, and Gospel churches, the saints, especially when singing the new song of redeeming grace, are said to have harps in their hands, expressive only of their spiritual melody in their hearts, Revelation 5:8,

with the harp, and the voice of the psalm; with the harp alone first, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret it, and then with the harp, and together with the words of a psalm, sung in a psalm tune. Gospel churches are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, Ephesians 5:19.

Geneva Study Bible

Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

5. Make melody unto Jehovah with the harp:

With the harp and the sound of melody.

Cp. Isaiah 51:3.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 5. - Sing unto the Lord with the harp; i.e. "with a harp accompaniment." It is fitting that in the praises of God instrumental music should be joined with vocal melody (comp. Exodus 15:20; 2 Samuel 6:15; 1 Chronicles 15:16, 28; 1 Chronicles 16:6; 2 Chronicles 5:12, 13; Ezra 3:10; Nehemiah 12:27, etc.). With the harp, and the voice of a psalm; or, the voice of melody (Revised Version). Psalm 98:5

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The call in Psalm 98:4 demands some joyful manifestation of the mouth, which can be done in many ways; in Psalm 98:5 the union of song and the music of stringed instruments, as of the Levites; and in Psalm 98:6 the sound of wind instruments, as of the priests. On Psalm 98:4 cf. Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 52:9, together with Isaiah 14:7 (inasmuch as פּצחוּ ורננוּ is equivalent to פּצחוּ רנּה). קול זמרה is found also in Isaiah 51:3.