Psaltery
“Possibly from nebel (leather bottle), referring to its shape”
Summary
The psaltery was a stringed musical instrument played with the fingers to accompany singing, used prominently in Israelite worship and distinguished from the harp by its construction and playing technique.
☩Description
The psaltery (Hebrew nebel) was a stringed instrument played with the hand rather than with a plectrum or quill. Josephus reports it had twelve strings, compared to the ten-stringed harp (kinnor) which was played with a plectrum. The instrument may have taken its name from nebel (leather bottle) due to its shape. Ancient authorities describe it as triangular like the Greek letter delta, with the sounding-board above the strings, which were struck downward.
☩Use in Worship
The psaltery was a prominent instrument in Israelite religious services, mentioned alongside harps and cymbals in the music of the Temple. Solomon made psalteries of algum wood for the Temple, and David's musicians played them before the ark. They were used at the dedication of the wall when the exiles returned under Nehemiah.
☩Misuse in Idolatry
The same instrument used to praise the true God was also employed in idolatrous worship. In Daniel, the psaltery appears among the instruments in Nebuchadnezzar's orchestra that signaled the people to worship the golden image on the plain of Dura.
Related Verses21 mentions
References
- 1.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Psaltery," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Psaltery," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.George Morrish, "Psaltery," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Psaltery," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).