The psaltery, an ancient stringed musical instrument, holds a significant place in the worship practices of the Israelites as depicted in the Bible. It is often associated with the praise and worship of God, particularly in the context of temple services and religious ceremonies.

Description and Construction

The psaltery is believed to be a type of harp or lyre, characterized by its strings stretched over a flat, wooden soundboard. The exact design and number of strings are not definitively known, but it is generally understood to have been a portable instrument, allowing for its use in various settings. The psaltery's strings were likely plucked with the fingers or a plectrum, producing a melodious sound suitable for accompaniment in worship.

Biblical References

The psaltery is mentioned numerous times in the Old Testament, often in conjunction with other musical instruments. In 1 Chronicles 15:16, King David commands the Levites to appoint musicians to play "harps, lyres, and cymbals" to raise sounds of joy as the Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem. The psaltery is included in this ensemble, highlighting its role in celebratory and sacred occasions.

In the Psalms, the psaltery is frequently cited as an instrument of praise. 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 in this verse, the reference to a stringed instrument aligns with the psaltery's function. Similarly, Psalm 71:22 declares, "I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel."

Role in Worship

The psaltery's inclusion in temple worship underscores its importance in the liturgical life of Israel. It was used to accompany the singing of psalms and hymns, enhancing the communal expression of faith and devotion. The harmonious sound of the psaltery, combined with other instruments, created an atmosphere of reverence and joy, facilitating the congregation's engagement in worship.

The use of the psaltery in religious services reflects the broader biblical theme of music as a means of glorifying God. Music, including the sound of the psaltery, is portrayed as a divine gift, intended to uplift the spirit and draw believers closer to the Creator. The psaltery's role in worship is a testament to the enduring power of music in the spiritual life of God's people.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, music played a vital role in both secular and sacred contexts. The Israelites, like their neighbors, incorporated music into their religious practices, recognizing its ability to convey emotion and enhance the worship experience. The psaltery, as part of this musical tradition, served as a bridge between the human and the divine, facilitating communication with God through song and melody.

The psaltery's presence in biblical worship is a reflection of the rich musical heritage of the Israelites and their commitment to honoring God with the best of their artistic expressions. Through the psaltery and other instruments, the people of Israel were able to fulfill the biblical mandate to "make a joyful noise unto the LORD" (Psalm 100:1), celebrating His goodness and faithfulness in their lives.2 Samuel 6:5
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on tambourines, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
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1 Chronicles 13:8
And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with tambourines, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
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1 Chronicles 16:5
Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;
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1 Chronicles 25:1,5,6
Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:
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2 Chronicles 29:25
And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.
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Psalm 33:2
Praise the LORD with harp: sing to him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
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Psalm 57:8
Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
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Psalm 71:22
I will also praise you with the psaltery, even your truth, O my God: to you will I sing with the harp, O you Holy One of Israel.
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Psalm 81:2
Take a psalm, and bring here the tambourine, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
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Psalm 92:3
On an instrument of ten strings, and on the psaltery; on the harp with a solemn sound.
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Psalm 108:2
Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
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Psalm 144:9
I will sing a new song to you, O God: on a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises to you.
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Psalm 150:3
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
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Revelation 5:8
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.
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Church Fabrics and Services.
... by authority of the State for services of humiliation ... extent no doubt they had been
used on either ... also genuinely congenial to the excited religious feeling of ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

Daniel
... Greek words (herald, harp, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe ... improbable that they would
have used Aramaic at ... legendary and apocalyptic form, the religious value of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/daniel.htm

A Short Essay Toward the Improvement of Psalmody:
... is one of the Purposes also of religious Melody, if ... Tymbrel, the pleasant Harp with
the Psaltery, blow up ... I believe that Phrases and Sentences used by inspired ...
/.../a short essay toward the improvement of psalmody/a short essay toward the.htm

No Compromise
... literal facts, they might also be used instructively as ... and from the (so-called)
religious world. ... brought neither flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, nor ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/no compromise.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... the north and west, cuneiform writing was almost entirely used, attempts had ... and
the inscriptions accompanying the figures contain a religious formula together ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

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