זִמְרָת (zim.rat)
zim.rat
song
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 song of praise or melody offered in worship. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, primarily within poetic texts like Psalms and Isaiah, where it describes music dedicated to God. The word encompasses both the vocal act of singing and the instrumental accompaniment that supports it, suggesting a complete musical offering rather than just lyrics.
Its root relates to the idea of gathering or collecting, which may imply that this song is a collective expression from the community or a curated set of praises. Unlike words for simple speech, zimrah carries a sense of structured beauty and intentional artistry. When used in Isaiah 38:20, it connects personal thanksgiving with communal worship, highlighting how individual gratitude fits into the broader life of faith.
Translators often render zimrah as "song" or "psalm," but these English terms can feel too narrow. The Hebrew concept includes the emotional weight and spiritual focus behind the music. It is not merely entertainment or cultural tradition; it is a specific act of honoring God through artistic expression, reflecting the belief that beauty in sound can convey reverence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word zimrah points to more than just singing words; it describes a complete musical offering that includes melody and instrument. In the Old Testament, this term appears only three times, always in moments of deep gratitude or deliverance. It suggests that worship is not merely spoken but sung with artistry and structure, reflecting the beauty God deserves.
When you encounter this word in Scripture, remember that your praise can be both personal and communal. Isaiah 12:2 shows how trust in God becomes a song of strength. This invites you to bring your whole self—your voice, your instruments, your heart—into worship as a structured act of honor.
Worship is not accidental noise but intentional artistry. By offering zimrah, you join a long line of believers who have found that music carries the weight of gratitude. Let your life be a song that honors God, knowing He receives your praise as a precious gift.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ strength3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/זִמְרָת֙2×
- וְ/זִמְרָ֣ת1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 15:2
Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
This verse establishes zimrah as an integral part of salvation, linking God's strength directly to the song of praise that follows deliverance.
-
Psalms 118:14
Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation.
Here the repetition of 'Yah is my strength and song' reinforces the idea that worship is a sustained response to God's saving power, not just a fleeting emotion.
-
Isaiah 12:2
Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.”
This occurrence connects personal trust with public declaration, showing how individual reliance on God transforms into a communal song of hope.