Psalms 33:2
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Praise the LORD with harp: sing to him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Praise the LORD with harp: sing to him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Give thanks unto Jehovah with the harp: Sing praises unto him with the psaltery of ten strings.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Give praise to the Lord on the corded instrument; make melody to him with instruments of music.
Webster's Revision
Praise the LORD with harp: sing to him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
World English Bible
Give thanks to Yahweh with the lyre. Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Give thanks unto the LORD with harp: sing praises unto him with the psaltery of ten strings.
Definitions for Psalms 33:2
Clarke's Psalms 33:2 Bible Commentary
Praise the Lord with harp - כנור kinnor; probably something like our harp: but Calmet thinks it the ancient testudo, or lyre with three strings.
The psalter - נבל nebel. Our translation seems to make a third instrument in this place, by rendering עשור asor, an instrument of ten strings; whereas they should both be joined together, for נבל עשור nebel-asor signifies the nebal, or nabla, with ten strings, or holes. Calmet supposes this to have resembled our harp. In one of Kennicott's MSS., this Psalm begins with the second verse.
Barnes's Psalms 33:2 Bible Commentary
Praise the Lord with harp - For a description of the "harp," see the notes at Isaiah 5:12.
Sing unto him with the psaltery - For the meaning of this word, also, see the notes at Isaiah 5:12, where the word is rendered "viol."
And an instrument of ten strings - The word "and" is supplied here by the translators as if, in this place, a third instrument was referred to, distinct from the harp and the psaltery. The more correct rendering, however, would be, "a psaltery (or lyre) of ten strings." The same construction occurs in Psalm 144:9. In Psalm 92:3, however, the two words are separately used as denoting different instruments. The "lyre" or psaltery was probably not always made with the same number of strings, and it would seem that the one that was made of "ten" strings had something special about it as an instrument of uncommon sweetness or power. Hence, it is particularly designated here; and the idea is that the instruments of especial power and sweetness should be on this occasion employed in the service of God.
Wesley's Psalms 33:2 Bible Commentary
33:2 Harp, &c. - These instruments were used in the publick worship of God in the tabernacle.