Musical instruments hold a significant place in the biblical narrative, serving as tools for worship, celebration, and communication. Throughout the Scriptures, various instruments are mentioned, each with its unique role and symbolism in the life of the people of Israel and the early Christian church.

1. Harp (Kinnor): The harp is one of the oldest and most frequently mentioned instruments in the Bible. It is associated with King David, who was skilled in playing the harp to soothe King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23). The harp was used in worship and praise, as seen in the Psalms: "Praise Him with the harp and lyre" (Psalm 150:3).

2. Lyre (Nevel): Similar to the harp, the lyre was a stringed instrument used in various religious and celebratory contexts. It is often mentioned alongside the harp in the Psalms and was part of the musical ensemble in temple worship (1 Chronicles 15:16).

3. Trumpet (Shofar and Chatsotserah): The shofar, made from a ram's horn, and the silver trumpets (chatsotserah) were used for signaling and ceremonial purposes. The shofar was blown to announce the new moon, festivals, and in times of war (Joshua 6:4-5). The silver trumpets were used in temple services and to direct the movement of the Israelite camp (Numbers 10:2-10).

4. Cymbals: Cymbals were percussion instruments used to produce a loud, clashing sound. They were part of the Levitical orchestra in temple worship, as seen in the dedication of Solomon's Temple: "The singers and trumpeters joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD" (2 Chronicles 5:13).

5. Tambourine (Timbrel): The tambourine was a handheld percussion instrument often associated with dance and celebration. Miriam, the sister of Moses, led the women of Israel with tambourines and dancing after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20).

6. Flute: The flute, a woodwind instrument, is mentioned in contexts of joy and festivity. It was used in celebrations and is noted in the parable of Jesus: "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance" (Matthew 11:17).

7. Pipe: Similar to the flute, the pipe was used in both joyful and mournful settings. It is mentioned in the context of lamentation and mourning (Jeremiah 48:36).

8. Horn: The horn, distinct from the shofar, was used in various contexts, including signaling and music. It is mentioned in the context of worship and celebration (Daniel 3:5).

9. Stringed Instruments: Various stringed instruments are mentioned throughout the Psalms and other biblical texts, often used in worship and praise. Psalm 33:2 encourages the use of stringed instruments: "Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings."

10. Organ (Reed Instrument): While not directly mentioned in the Berean Standard Bible, the organ or reed instrument is inferred from translations of ancient texts, often associated with wind instruments used in worship.

Musical instruments in the Bible were integral to the cultural and religious life of the Israelites and early Christians. They were used to express a range of human emotions, from joy and celebration to sorrow and lamentation, always pointing back to the worship and glory of God.Musical Instruments

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

mu'-zi-kal in'-stroo-ments (shiddah we-shiddoth): "I gat me.... musical instruments, and that of all sorts" (Ecclesiastes 2:8). Thus the King James Version and the American Standard Revised Version; the English Revised Version and the American Revised Version margin "concubines very many." The word occurs only here; the meaning is not certain, but it has nothing to do with music.

5567. psallo -- to pull, twitch, twang, play, sing
... instrument. 5567 -- properly, pluck a musical instrument (like a harp);
used of " with instruments"; "to ," or simply . Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5567.htm - 7k7991b. shalish -- (a musical instrument) perhaps a sistrum
... Word Origin from the same as shalosh Definition (a musical instrument) perhaps a
sistrum NASB Word Usage musical instruments (1). 7991a, 7991b. ...
/hebrew/7991b.htm - 5k

The Test by Fire
... it is commanded, O peoples, nations: 'The moment you hear the sound of the trumpet,
flute, lute, harp, bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, you shall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the test by fire.htm

Whether God Should be Praised with Song?
... Objection 4: Further, in the Old Law God was praised with musical instruments and
human song, according to Ps.32:2,3: "Give praise to the Lord on the harp ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether god should be praised 2.htm

Psalm CL.
... His righteousness. These same saints are signified by all the musical
instruments in succession, to praise God in. For what the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cl.htm

Death and Life from the Ark
... Who ever heard of fir-wood musical instruments? The specified ones which follow
were certainly not made of it, and songs could scarcely fail to be mentioned. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/death and life from the.htm

Composition and Style
... Secondly, because we are naturally affected by harmony, otherwise the sounds of
musical instruments, tho they express no words, would not excite in us so great ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/composition and style.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

So Also were Sacrifices and Oblations.
... who eat the lambs out of the flock, and the sucking calves out of the midst of the
herd; who applaud at the sound of the musical instruments; they reckon them ...
/.../chapter xxii so also were sacrifices.htm

But Let There Be, as You Wish, Honour in Wine and in Incense...
... Footnotes: [4916] Symphoni??. Evidently musical instruments; but while Isidore speaks
of them as a kind of drum, other writers call them trumpets and pipes. ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/32 but let there be.htm

Home and the Home-Maker.
... original pencil designs, queer calendars, odd pictures; the dresser and stand are
lined with books and magazines, with worn-out musical instruments, art gifts ...
/.../questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/x home and the home-maker.htm

On Singing and Music.
... If singing by tune is to be practised, why should not the highest style of art,
aided by musical instruments, be made use of, so as more effectively to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/on singing and music/on singing and music.htm

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