זִמְרָה (zim.rah)
zim.rah
melody
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun zimrah refers to a musical composition, specifically a melody or song offered in praise to God. It appears in only three verses across the Old Testament, found in Psalms 92:3, Isaiah 38:20, and Amos 5:23. In these contexts, it is closely linked with instrumental accompaniment, suggesting a full performance rather than simple chanting.
Its root relates to "praising" or "singing," which gives the word a distinct theological weight. It is not merely entertainment but an act of worship directed toward Yahweh. When Amos uses it, he critiques empty ritual, showing that music without justice is meaningless. Conversely, in Psalms, it celebrates God’s faithfulness with joy.
Translators often render zimrah as "melody" or "song," but the term implies a structured musical offering. The rarity of the word highlights its special use in liturgical settings. It reminds readers that worship involves both voice and instrument, united in praise.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word zimrah points to a structured melody offered in praise, often accompanied by instruments like the harp. It is not casual singing but a deliberate act of worship that unites voice and music. When you encounter this term in Scripture, it invites you to consider how your own praises are expressed. Are they merely routine, or do they rise with genuine joy and intentionality?
In Psalm 98:5, the call is to sing praises with both harp and melody, showing that full-hearted worship engages every part of our being. This word reminds us that God values the effort we put into honoring Him. It is an invitation to bring your whole self—your voice, your instruments, and your heart—into His presence.
Yet Amos 5:23 warns that music without justice is empty noise. True zimrah flows from a life aligned with God’s ways. As you worship, let your songs reflect both gratitude for His faithfulness and a commitment to live righteously. May your praises be a sweet offering that honors Him deeply.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- music2×
- and/ [the] music of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זִמְרָֽה\׃\ \ס1×
- זִמְרָֽה\׃1×
- וְ/זִמְרַ֥ת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 98:5
Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp, with the harp and the voice of melody.
This verse explicitly links the voice of melody with the harp, illustrating how zimrah involves both vocal and instrumental praise in worship.
-
Isaiah 51:3
For Yahweh has comforted Zion. He has comforted all her waste places, and has made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Yahweh. Joy and gladness will be found in them, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Here, the voice of melody appears alongside thanksgiving as a result of God’s comfort to Zion, showing that joy and praise are intertwined responses to His saving acts.
-
Amos 5:23
Take away from me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
God rejects the noise of songs when they lack justice, highlighting that zimrah must be rooted in a life of righteousness to be acceptable to Him.