Bible Strands
Psalms 92:3
with the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the worshiping community in a temple setting, continuing the call to declare God's steadfast love and faithfulness from the preceding verse. The moment occurs between a corporate summons to praise and a personal testimony of joy at God's creative works.
The words — The phrase עֲלֵי־ עָשׂוֹר ('alei-'asar) literally means "upon a ten," and the noun הִגּוֹן (higgayon) denotes a meditative melody or musical expression. These terms specify the exact instrumentation and sonic character required for the offering.
The thread — The psalmist echoes the directive in Psalms 33:2 to praise with a harp and ten strings while situating the practice within Israel's broader tradition of corporate worship. The text links this specific musical instruction to the ongoing cycle of proclaiming divine attributes.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to pair emotional gratitude with disciplined, specific musical practice. It asks the worshiper to structure praise through concrete instruments and measured expression rather than leaving it to vague sentiment.
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
King James Version
Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.
Cross-references
- Psalms 33:2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings.
- 1 Chronicles 13:8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.
- 2 Chronicles 23:5 a third shall be at the royal palace, and a third at the Foundation Gate, while all the others are to be in the courtyards of the house of the LORD.
- Nehemiah 12:27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from all their homes and brought to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing, accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres.
- Psalms 68:25 The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines.
- 1 Samuel 10:5 After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.
- Psalms 9:16 The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion Selah
- 1 Chronicles 15:16 David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals.
- 1 Chronicles 25:6 All these were under the direction of their fathers for the music of the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the direction of the king.
- 2 Chronicles 29:25 Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets.