Psalms 108:2

Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The psalmist David speaks to musical instruments and to God within a structured song of praise. He issues this command immediately after declaring a steadfast heart and before promising public worship among the nations.

The words — The opening imperative ע֭וּרָֽ/ה ('U.ra/h) literally means "awake," directed at the הַ/נֵּ֥בֶל (ha./Ne.vel, lyre) and וְ/כִנּ֗וֹר (ve./khi.Nor, harp). The speaker then uses אָעִ֥ירָה ('a.'I.rah) to declare "I will waken" the שָּֽׁחַר\׃ (Sha.char, dawn).

The thread — This motif of rousing instruments for praise appears in Psalms 81:2 and 33:2, while the call to exalt God through song aligns with the thanksgiving theme in Psalm 69:30.

Why it lands — The text commands the mobilization of worship tools and declares a personal act of rousing the dawn before promising praise among the nations. It requires the reader to treat worship as deliberate action and to align personal resolve with public declaration.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

ע֭וּרָֽה'U.ra/hawake/ !הַנֵּ֥בֶלha./Ne.velO/ lyre וְכִנּ֗וֹרve./khi.Norand/ harp אָעִ֥ירָה'a.'I.rahI will waken שָּֽׁחַר׃Sha.char[the] dawn

King James Version

Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

Cross-references

Psalms 69:30 I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving.
Psalms 81:2 Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre.
Psalms 33:2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings.
Psalms 57:8 Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
Psalms 92:1 A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath day. It is good to praise the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High,
Psalms 103:22 Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Judges 5:12 ‘Awake, awake, O Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, O Barak, and take hold of your captives, O son of Abinoam!’