In biblical times, the harp was a prominent musical instrument, often associated with worship, celebration, and prophecy. Harpers, or those who played the harp, held significant roles in both religious and royal settings. The harp is one of the oldest known stringed instruments, and its use is well-documented throughout the Scriptures.

Old Testament References

The harp is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, highlighting its importance in Israelite culture. One of the most notable harpists was King David, who was skilled in playing the harp and used it to soothe King Saul when he was troubled by an evil spirit. In 1 Samuel 16:23 , it is recorded, "Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him."

The harp was also used in temple worship. In 1 Chronicles 25:1-3, David, along with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres, and cymbals. This indicates the harp's role in prophetic ministry and worship.

Psalms and Worship

The Book of Psalms, many of which are attributed to David, frequently mentions the harp as an instrument of praise. Psalm 33:2 exhorts, "Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings." The harp is depicted as an instrument that brings glory to God and enhances the worship experience.

Prophetic and Eschatological Imagery

In prophetic literature, the harp is often used symbolically. Isaiah 24:8 speaks of a time of judgment when "the joyful tambourines have ceased; the noise of revelers has stopped; the joyful harp is silent." This imagery conveys the cessation of joy and celebration during times of divine judgment.

The Book of Revelation also features harpers in its eschatological visions. Revelation 14:2 describes a scene in heaven: "And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The sound I heard was like harpists playing their harps." Here, the harpers are part of the heavenly chorus, symbolizing divine worship and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the harp was a common instrument, often associated with royalty and the divine. Its use in Israelite worship and prophecy reflects a broader cultural appreciation for music as a means of communication with the divine and as a tool for emotional and spiritual expression.

Conclusion

The role of harpers in the Bible underscores the importance of music in worship and spiritual life. Through the soothing melodies of the harp, biblical figures like David were able to minister to others and express profound worship to God. The harp's presence in both historical and prophetic contexts highlights its enduring significance in the biblical narrative.

The Fifth vision "In Heaven"
... a voice out of heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as a voice of great thunder:
and the voice which [296] I heard was as that of harpers, harping with ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the fifth vision in heaven.htm

The Redeemed on Mount Zion.
... heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of
loud thunder: and the voice which I heard was like that of harpers playing with ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the redeemed on mount zion.htm

Heavenly Worship
... And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of
a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/heavenly worship.htm

The Ascension of Messiah to Glory
... of the Ark of the Lord from its last stationary residence, to its fixed abode in
Zion, when the king, the priests, the singers and the harpers all assisted in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxvi the ascension of.htm

The New Song
... conqueror, when we shall hear a voice from heaven as the voice of many waters, and
like great thunders, when shall be heard the voice of harpers, harping with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the new song.htm

The Glory of the virgins and Religious.
... And the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers, harping upon their harps.
And they sang as it were a new canticle before the throne. . . . ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xix the glory of.htm

Death by Adam, Life by Christ
... Nor can even the highest efforts of the heavenly harpers, more than answer to the
joy, the triumph and the praise, which the other part of my text would excite ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xli death by adam.htm

The Festival of Games, in Honor of Augustus, were About to Begin ...
... The old king surveyed them. Within the palace a hundred harpers smote their strings,
flooding the scene with music. Slowly each circumference began to move. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 24 the festival of.htm

Preface.
... A large 8vo. volume, by David N. Lord, was issued from the press of the
Harpers, in New York, in 1847; and a smaller work, by Rev. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/preface.htm

Music (Christmas Day. )
... John hear therein harpers with their harps, and the mystic beasts, and the elders,
singing a new song to God and to the Lamb; and the voices of many angels ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xvii music christmas day.htm

Harpers (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Harpers (2 Occurrences). Revelation 14:2 And I
heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and ...
/h/harpers.htm - 7k

Flute-players (2 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:22 And the voice of harpers and minstrels and flute-players and
trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever ...
/f/flute-players.htm - 7k

Musicians (6 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters,
shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever ...
/m/musicians.htm - 8k

Pipers (1 Occurrence)
... Revelation 18:22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters,
shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever ...
/p/pipers.htm - 6k

Azaziah (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Whom Jehovah strengthened. (1.) One of the Levitical
harpers in the temple (1 Chronicles 15:21). (2.) The ...
/a/azaziah.htm - 8k

Artizan (7 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:22 and voice of harpers, and musicians, and pipers, and trumpeters,
may not be heard at all in thee any more; and any artizan of any art may not ...
/a/artizan.htm - 8k

Noise (126 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:22 and voice of harpers, and musicians, and pipers, and trumpeters,
may not be heard at all in thee any more; and any artizan of any art may not ...
/n/noise.htm - 41k

Millstone (9 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters,
shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever ...
/m/millstone.htm - 15k

Whatsoever (167 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters,
shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever ...
/w/whatsoever.htm - 35k

Harping (1 Occurrence)
... 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice
of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their ...
/h/harping.htm - 6k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus