זָמַר (za.mar)
za.mar
to sing
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 22 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb zamar describes the act of making music, specifically singing praise accompanied by instrumental playing. In the Psalms and other biblical texts, it captures a joyful, rhythmic celebration where voice and instrument work together to honor God. This usage appears frequently in passages like Psalm 9:12 and Psalm 47:7, where the community is called to sing psalms with gladness.
Its etymology suggests an original meaning of plucking or striking strings, linking the physical action of playing to the artistic expression of song. This connection highlights how ancient worship integrated musical skill with verbal praise. Translators often render it as "sing" or "give praise," reflecting its dual nature of vocal and instrumental performance in biblical contexts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word zamar describes more than just vocalizing a tune; it points to a joyful, rhythmic celebration where voice and instrument work together to honor God. In ancient Israel, this act often involved plucking strings or striking instruments, linking physical skill with verbal praise. When you encounter this word in Scripture, it invites you into a holistic expression of gratitude that engages both your heart and your hands.
For your daily faith life, zamar reminds us that worship is not limited to quiet moments of silence. It encourages active participation, whether through singing in a community setting or offering personal thanks with gladness. Psalm 147:7 captures this well by urging believers to sing praises on the harp with thanksgiving, showing that our gratitude can be both musical and heartfelt.
This perspective helps us see worship as a natural response to God’s goodness rather than a rigid duty. By embracing zamar, we learn to express our faith with joy and creativity, allowing our entire being—mind, body, and spirit—to participate in praising the Creator who deserves all honor.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 22 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sing praises4×
- I will sing praises4×
- make music3×
- I will make music3×
- to sing praises to1×
- they sing praises to1×
- so/ they may sing praises1×
- sing praises to1×
- let them make music1×
- and/ make music1×
- and/ I will sing praises1×
- I will sing praises to/ you1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זַמְּרוּ\־3×
- זַמְּר֥וּ2×
- זַמְּר֣וּ2×
- אֲזַמְּרָה\־2×
- אֲזַמְּרָ֖ה2×
- יְזַמְּרוּ\־1×
- יְזַמְּר֖וּ1×
- זַמְּרָ֣ה1×
- זַמְּר֖וּ1×
- וַ֝/אֲזַמְּרָ֗ה1×
- וִֽ/יזַמְּרוּ\־1×
- וְ/זַמֵּֽרוּ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 33:2
Give thanks to Yahweh with the lyre. Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings.
This verse explicitly links singing praises with playing the lyre and harp, highlighting the instrumental aspect of zamar.
-
Psalms 147:7
Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving. Sing praises on the harp to our God,
It connects singing with thanksgiving and playing the harp, showing how gratitude fuels musical worship.
-
Psalms 98:5
Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp, with the harp and the voice of melody.
The call to sing praises with the harp and melody emphasizes the joyous, melodic nature of this type of praise.
-
Judges 5:3
“Hear, you kings! Give ear, you princes! I, even I, will sing to Yahweh. I will sing praise to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
Deborah’s declaration shows zamar used in a public, communal context to celebrate God’s deliverance.
-
Psalms 149:3
Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
It associates singing praises with dancing and playing tambourines, illustrating the full-bodied joy of worship.