Psalms 71:22 Meaning: Praising the Holy One of Israel with Harp and Lyre

Two Hebrew words for praise appear here, and each adds something. The first is yadah, which can mean to give thanks, to confess, or even to throw extended hands. It is praise that acknowledges who God really is, not just a polite gesture. The psalmist is openly declaring, You have been faithful, and I say so. The second word is zamar, which specifically means making music, often with instruments. It connects the body to the heart, using strings and voice to express what words alone cannot carry.

The word for God's faithfulness is emet. It means firmness, reliability, truth that holds. Not a vague idea of sincerity, but a concrete stability like good ground underfoot. When the poet sings of God's faithfulness, he is singing about promises that have not broken and a character that has not shifted.

Then there is the title Holy One of Israel. Qadosh means set apart, sacred, utterly other. God's holiness is not distant in this psalm; it is the reason His people can trust Him. He is not like the false gods who change or fail. He is the one true God, holy and faithful, and that is worth a song.

Christians across traditions have read this verse with different emphases. Some highlight the musical instruments as a model for worship. They see the nebel (lyre) and kinnor (harp) as signs that praising God with art and skill is good. Others, like the Methodist commentator Adam Clarke, note that Christians are not bound to use these specific Old Testament instruments, though the principle of heartfelt praise remains. All agree the instruments are not the point; the truth they accompany is.

The title Holy One of Israel is especially rich. The Cambridge Bible emphasizes that God's holiness is not just a distant attribute but is pledged to redeem His people. In a world of broken promises, the Holy One keeps covenant. Lutheran and Reformed writers often connect this to God's faithfulness through all generations, while Catholic and Orthodox traditions see it as pointing to the holiness of God revealed fully in Christ.

Some readers assume this verse is a carefree song from someone whose life is easy. They imagine a joyful musician strumming without a worry. In fact, the psalmist has just spoken of great and sore troubles (v20) and being old and gray headed (v18). The vow to praise with instruments is not the happy ending of a painless story. It is a deliberate, costly choice to thank God while still in the fight. The music rises not from comfort but from faith that God will bring life from the depths.

You may not own a harp or a lyre. But you have a voice, a song stuck in your head, or even a simple instrument you could pick up. This week, try praising God for one specific thing He has been faithful about. Not a general thank You, but something concrete: a promise He kept, a difficulty He helped you through, a moment you knew He was with you. Sing it or say it out loud. Let the act of praise be your choice, not just your feeling. That is what the psalmist does here. He takes action before the situation is fully resolved.