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Selected Verse: Amos 6:5 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Am 6:5	Strong Concordance	That chant [06527] to the sound [06310] of the viol [05035], and invent [02803] to themselves instruments [03627] of musick [07892], like David [01732];
	King James	That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
chant--literally, "mark distinct sounds and tones." viol--the lyre, or lute. invent . . . instruments . . . like David--They fancy they equal David in musical skill (Ch1 23:5; Neh 12:36). They defend their luxurious passion for music by his example: forgetting that he pursued this study when at peace and free from danger, and that for the praise of God; but they pursue for their own self-gratification, and that when God is angry and ruin is imminent.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

chant--literally, "mark distinct sounds and tones."

viol--the lyre, or lute.

invent . . . instruments . . . like David--They fancy they equal David in musical skill (Ch1 23:5; Neh 12:36). They defend their luxurious passion for music by his example: forgetting that he pursued this study when at peace and free from danger, and that for the praise of God; but they pursue for their own self-gratification, and that when God is angry and ruin is imminent.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
That chant to the voice of the lyre - Accompanying "the voice of the lyre" with the human voice; giving vocal expression and utterance to what the instrumental music spoke without words. The word, which Amos alone uses in this one place, describes probably a hurried flow of unmeaning, unconsidered words, in which the rhythm of words and music was everything, the sense, nothing; much like most glees. The English margin "quaver" has also some foundation in the root, but does not suit the idiom so well, which expresses that the act was something done "to the voice of the lyre," accompanying the music, not altering the music itself. In fact, they would go together. An artificial, effeminate music which should relax the soul, frittering the melody, and displacing the power and majesty of divine harmony by tricks of art, and giddy, thoughtless, heartless, soulless versifying would be meet company. Debased music is a mark of a nation's decay, and promotes it. The Hebrew music seems to have been very simple; and singing appears to have been reserved almost exclusively for solemn occasions, the temple-service, or the greeting of victory Sa1 18:7. "Singing men and singing women" were part of the state of David and Solomon Sa2 19:35; Ecc 2:8. Else the music at the feasts of the rich appears rather to be mentioned with blame Isa 5:12; Isa 24:9. Songs they had Pro 25:20; but the songs, for which the Hebrew exiles were celebrated, and which their Babylonian masters required them to sing, "the songs of Zion" Psa 137:3-4, were the hymns of the temple, "the Lord's song." And invent to themselves instruments of music - The same pains, which David employed on music to the honor of God, they employed on their light, enervating unmeaningful music, and, if they were in earnest enough, justified their inventions by the example of David. Much as people have justified our degraded, sensualizing, immodest dancing, by the religious dancing of Holy Scripture! The word can mean no other than devised. David then did "devise" and "invent" instruments of music for the service of God. He introduced into the temple-service the use of the stringed instruments, the "kinnor," (the "lyre") and the "nebel" (the "harp") in addition to the cymbals. Whence these, in contrast with the trumpets, are called "the instruments of David" (Ch2 29:26, compare Ch2 29:25, and Ch1 15:16, Ch1 15:19-21, Ch1 15:24). Probably, in adapting them to the temple-service, he, in some way, improved the existing instrument; having been, in early youth, remarkable for his skill upon the harp Sa1 16:16, Sa1 16:18, Sa1 16:23. As he elevated the character and powers of the, perhaps rude, instrument which he found, and suited it to the service of God, so these people refined it doubtless, as they thought, and suited it for the service of luxury and sensuality. But what harm, they thought, in amending the music of their day, since so did David?

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

That chant to the voice of the lyre - Accompanying "the voice of the lyre" with the human voice; giving vocal expression and utterance to what the instrumental music spoke without words. The word, which Amos alone uses in this one place, describes probably a hurried flow of unmeaning, unconsidered words, in which the rhythm of words and music was everything, the sense, nothing; much like most glees.

The English margin "quaver" has also some foundation in the root, but does not suit the idiom so well, which expresses that the act was something done "to the voice of the lyre," accompanying the music, not altering the music itself. In fact, they would go together. An artificial, effeminate music which should relax the soul, frittering the melody, and displacing the power and majesty of divine harmony by tricks of art, and giddy, thoughtless, heartless, soulless versifying would be meet company. Debased music is a mark of a nation's decay, and promotes it. The Hebrew music seems to have been very simple; and singing appears to have been reserved almost exclusively for solemn occasions, the temple-service, or the greeting of victory Sa1 18:7. "Singing men and singing women" were part of the state of David and Solomon Sa2 19:35; Ecc 2:8. Else the music at the feasts of the rich appears rather to be mentioned with blame Isa 5:12; Isa 24:9. Songs they had Pro 25:20; but the songs, for which the Hebrew exiles were celebrated, and which their Babylonian masters required them to sing, "the songs of Zion" Psa 137:3-4, were the hymns of the temple, "the Lord's song."

And invent to themselves instruments of music - The same pains, which David employed on music to the honor of God, they employed on their light, enervating unmeaningful music, and, if they were in earnest enough, justified their inventions by the example of David. Much as people have justified our degraded, sensualizing, immodest dancing, by the religious dancing of Holy Scripture! The word can mean no other than devised. David then did "devise" and "invent" instruments of music for the service of God. He introduced into the temple-service the use of the stringed instruments, the "kinnor," (the "lyre") and the "nebel" (the "harp") in addition to the cymbals. Whence these, in contrast with the trumpets, are called "the instruments of David" (Ch2 29:26, compare Ch2 29:25, and Ch1 15:16, Ch1 15:19-21, Ch1 15:24). Probably, in adapting them to the temple-service, he, in some way, improved the existing instrument; having been, in early youth, remarkable for his skill upon the harp Sa1 16:16, Sa1 16:18, Sa1 16:23. As he elevated the character and powers of the, perhaps rude, instrument which he found, and suited it to the service of God, so these people refined it doubtless, as they thought, and suited it for the service of luxury and sensuality. But what harm, they thought, in amending the music of their day, since so did David?

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
That chant - That in a time of deep mourning entertain themselves with songs, and musical instruments.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
And invent to themselves instruments of music, like David - See the note on Ch1 23:5; and see especially the note on Ch2 29:25 (note). I believe that David was not authorized by the Lord to introduce that multitude of musical instruments into the Divine worship of which we read, and I am satisfied that his conduct in this respect is most solemnly reprehended by this prophet; and I farther believe that the use of such instruments of music, in the Christian Church, is without the sanction and against the will of God; that they are subversive of the spirit of true devotion, and that they are sinful. If there was a wo to them who invented instruments of music, as did David under the law, is there no wo, no curse to them who invent them, and introduce them into the worship of God in the Christian Church? I am an old man, and an old minister; and I here declare that I never knew them productive of any good in the worship of God; and have had reason to believe that they were productive of much evil. Music, as a science, I esteem and admire: but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. This is the abuse of music; and here I register my protest against all such corruptions in the worship of the Author of Christianity. The late venerable and most eminent divine, the Revelation John Wesley, who was a lover of music, and an elegant poet, when asked his opinion of instruments of music being introduced into the chapels of the Methodists said, in his terse and powerful manner, "I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither Heard nor Seen." I say the same, though I think the expense of purchase had better be spared. The word הפרטים happoretim, which we render chant, and the margin quaver, signifies to dance, to skip, etc. In the sight of such a text, fiddlers, drummers, waltzers, etc., may well tremble, who perform to excite detestable passions.

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³⁶ And his brethren [0251], Shemaiah [08098], and Azarael [05832], Milalai [04450], Gilalai [01562], Maai [04597], Nethaneel [05417], and Judah [03063], Hanani [02607], with the musical [07892] instruments [03627] of David [01732] the man [0376] of God [0430], and Ezra [05830] the scribe [05608] before [06440] them.

⁵ Moreover four [0702] thousand [0505] were porters [07778]; and four [0702] thousand [0505] praised [01984] the LORD [03068] with the instruments [03627] which I made [06213], said David, to praise [01984] therewith.

²³ And it came to pass, when the evil spirit [07307] from God [0430] was upon Saul [07586], that David [01732] took [03947] an harp [03658], and played [05059] with his hand [03027]: so Saul [07586] was refreshed [07304], and was well [02895], and the evil [07451] spirit [07307] departed [05493] from him.

¹⁸ Then answered [06030] one [0259] of the servants [05288], and said [0559], Behold, I have seen [07200] a son [01121] of Jesse [03448] the Bethlehemite [01022], that is cunning [03045] in playing [05059], and a mighty [01368] valiant man [02428], and a man [0376] of war [04421], and prudent [0995] in matters [01697], and a comely [08389] person [0376], and the LORD [03068] is with him.

¹⁶ Let our lord [0113] now command [0559] thy servants [05650], which are before [06440] thee, to seek out [01245] a man [0376], who is a cunning [03045] player [05059] on an harp [03658]: and it shall come to pass, when the evil [07451] spirit [07307] from God [0430] is upon thee, that he shall play [05059] with his hand [03027], and thou shalt be well [02895].

²⁴ And Shebaniah [07645], and Jehoshaphat [03146], and Nethaneel [05417], and Amasai [06022], and Zechariah [02148], and Benaiah [01141], and Eliezer [0461], the priests [03548], did blow [02690] [02690] with the trumpets [02689] before [06440] the ark [0727] of God [0430]: and Obededom [05654] and Jehiah [03174] were doorkeepers [07778] for the ark [0727].

¹⁹ So the singers [07891], Heman [01968], Asaph [0623], and Ethan [0387], were appointed to sound [08085] with cymbals [04700] of brass [05178];
²⁰ And Zechariah [02148], and Aziel [05815], and Shemiramoth [08070], and Jehiel [03171], and Unni [06042], and Eliab [0446], and Maaseiah [04641], and Benaiah [01141], with psalteries [05035] on Alamoth [05961];
²¹ And Mattithiah [04993], and Elipheleh [0466], and Mikneiah [04737], and Obededom [05654], and Jeiel [03273], and Azaziah [05812], with harps [03658] on the Sheminith [08067] to excel [05329].

¹⁶ And David [01732] spake [0559] to the chief [08269] of the Levites [03881] to appoint [05975] their brethren [0251] to be the singers [07891] with instruments [03627] of musick [07892], psalteries [05035] and harps [03658] and cymbals [04700], sounding [08085], by lifting up [07311] the voice [06963] with joy [08057].

²⁵ And he set [05975] the Levites [03881] in the house [01004] of the LORD [03068] with cymbals [04700], with psalteries [05035], and with harps [03658], according to the commandment [04687] of David [01732], and of Gad [01410] the king's [04428] seer [02374], and Nathan [05416] the prophet [05030]: for so was the commandment [04687] of [03027] the LORD [03068] by [03027] his prophets [05030].

²⁶ And the Levites [03881] stood [05975] with the instruments [03627] of David [01732], and the priests [03548] with the trumpets [02689].

³ For there they that carried us away captive [07617] required [07592] of us a song [01697] [07892]; and they that wasted [08437] us required of us mirth [08057], saying, Sing [07891] us one of the songs [07892] of Zion [06726].
⁴ How shall we sing [07891] the LORD'S [03068] song [07892] in a strange [05236] land [0127]?

²⁰ As he that taketh away [05710] a garment [0899] in cold [07135] weather [03117], and as vinegar [02558] upon nitre [05427], so is he that singeth [07891] songs [07892] to an heavy [07451] heart [03820].

⁹ They shall not drink [08354] wine [03196] with a song [07892]; strong drink [07941] shall be bitter [04843] to them that drink [08354] it.

¹² And the harp [03658], and the viol [05035], the tabret [08596], and pipe [02485], and wine [03196], are in their feasts [04960]: but they regard [05027] not the work [06467] of the LORD [03068], neither consider [07200] the operation [04639] of his hands [03027].

⁸ I gathered [03664] me also silver [03701] and gold [02091], and the peculiar treasure [05459] of kings [04428] and of the provinces [04082]: I gat [06213] me men singers [07891] and women singers [07891], and the delights [08588] of the sons [01121] of men [0120], as musical instruments [07705] [07705], and that of all sorts.

³⁵ I am this day [03117] fourscore [08084] years [08141] old [01121]: and can I discern [03045] between good [02896] and evil [07451]? can thy servant [05650] taste [02938] what [0834] I eat [0398] or what [0834] I drink [08354]? can I hear [08085] any more the voice [06963] of singing men [07891] and singing women [07891]? wherefore then should thy servant [05650] be yet a burden [04853] unto my lord [0113] the king [04428]?

⁷ And the women [0802] answered [06030] one another as they played [07832], and said [0559], Saul [07586] hath slain [05221] his thousands [0505], and David [01732] his ten thousands [07233].