Hebrew word · H2167

זָמַר

zameru

to sing

In the intensive form used here (piel), to make music in honour of someone: to sing praise, to play an instrument, or both together. Related nouns are zimrâ ("song, music") and mizmôr ("psalm," a song sung to music, in many psalm titles). A separate, unrelated root zmr means "to prune" (Lev 25:3).

Appears 45 times in 41 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

1) to sing, sing praise, make music

1a) (Piel)

1a1) to make music, sing

1a2) to play a musical instrument

Aramaic equivalent: ze.mar (זְמָר "music" H2170)

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Psalm 105:2

Range of meaning

In the intensive form used here (piel), to make music in honour of someone: to sing praise, to play an instrument, or both together. Related nouns are zimrâ ("song, music") and mizmôr ("psalm," a song sung to music, in many psalm titles). A separate, unrelated root zmr means "to prune" (Lev 25:3).

Against the English

BSB, WEB and ESV "sing praises"; KJV "sing psalms"; NLT folds it into "sing his praises." "Praise" gets the honouring intent right, but the word's link to music-making, and often to instruments, is lost. KJV's "psalms" keeps that link, though only indirectly.

How it drifted

When English "psalm" came to mean only a poem in the biblical book, the sense of performed music behind KJV's "sing psalms" faded.

Used elsewhere in the period

It appears alongside instruments in Ps 33:2 ("make music to him with a ten-stringed harp"), Ps 98:5 ("with the lyre") and Ps 147:7 ("on the lyre"). Akkadian zamāru means "to sing" and zamāru "song." The Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation) regularly renders it psallō, "pluck strings / sing to a stringed instrument," which is where "psalm" comes from. In the parallel at 1 Chr 16:4–6 the Levites appointed for this song play harps, lyres, cymbals and trumpets.

From the study of Psalm 33:2

Range of meaning

In the form used here (piel): make music in praise. That can mean singing, playing an instrument, or usually both together. Nouns from the same root are zimrah (song, melody) and mizmor (a song sung to accompaniment, the word in many psalm titles).

Against the English

KJV, WEB and NASB have 'sing (praises).' BSB and NIV have 'make music.' ESV has 'make melody.' 'Make music' fits the word's range best here. 'Sing' alone leaves out the playing, which the Hebrew puts in the foreground.

Used elsewhere in the period

Akkadian zamāru means 'to sing.' The Septuagint uses psallō here, a word that in classical Greek meant plucking strings and later came to mean singing praise. The Vulgate has psallite. The verb often appears alongside instruments (Ps 98:5; 147:7; 149:3).

From the study of Psalm 9:2

Range of meaning

In the form used here, to sing or make music in praise, often with instruments (lyre, harp). Related words are mizmōr ('psalm, song with accompaniment') and zimrâ ('song, music'). A related word in Akkadian, the language of ancient Mesopotamia, also means 'to sing'.

Against the English

'Sing praise' / 'sing praises' (all major versions) is fair, but in English 'praise' can become an abstract word for approval. YLT's 'I praise' drops the music entirely.

How it drifted

In Psalm-language the Hebrew is concrete: performed music. English 'praise' has become general and abstract.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ps 33:2 'make music (zammerû) to him on the ten-stringed harp'. Ps 98:5 'make music to the LORD with the lyre'. The Septuagint uses psallō, originally 'to pluck strings'. The English word 'psalm' comes from it through psalmos.

Where it appears

Judges · 1

  1. Judges 5:3 אֲזַמֵּ֕ר I will sing praises

    Listen, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel.

2 Samuel · 1

  1. 2 Samuel 22:50 אֲזַמֵּֽר׃ I will sing praise

    Therefore I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to Your name.

1 Chronicles · 1

  1. 1 Chronicles 16:9 זַמְּרוּ־ sing praises

    Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders.

Psalms · 41

  1. Psalm 7:17 וַ֝אֲזַמְּרָ֗ה and I will sing praise to

    I will thank the LORD for His righteousness and sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

    Here: "And let me make music." The form expresses resolve ("I am determined to…"). The verb is the root of mizmor, "psalm", and covers singing and probably playing a stringed instrument in praise.

  2. Psalm 9:2 אֲזַמְּרָ֖ה I will sing praises to

    I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

    Here: Another form expressing resolve: 'let me make music'. Zāmar is song with instruments, often strings. The word mizmōr ('psalm') in the psalm's heading comes from the same root. The singer is promising a performed song of praise, not a private thought.

  3. Psalm 9:11 זַמְּר֗וּ sing praises

    Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion; proclaim His deeds among the nations.

    Here: A plural command to the gathered worshippers: make music in praise, singing and probably playing too. It comes from the same root as mizmôr, 'psalm', so the poem names what it is doing. It also opens the zayin line of the alphabet poem that runs through Psalms 9–10.

  4. Psalm 18:49 אֲזַמֵּֽרָה׃ I will sing praises

    Therefore I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to Your name.

    Here: 'Let me sing and play.' The form expresses resolve and eagerness ('I am determined to'). The verb belongs to formal musical praise, the family of the word mizmôr, 'psalm', and often implies accompaniment by strings.

  5. Psalm 21:13 וּֽ֝נְזַמְּרָה and we will sing praises

    Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your power.

    Here: 'And let us make music', meaning praise set to music, often played on stringed instruments. It comes from the same root as mizmor, 'psalm', the word in this psalm's heading. So the song ends by naming the thing it is.

  6. Psalm 27:6 וַ֝אֲזַמְּרָ֗ה and I will sing praises

    Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

    Here: 'And let me make music': the root behind mizmor ('psalm'). It usually means praise sung to instruments such as lyres. Together with 'sing' it makes a common pair meaning full praise in voice and music.

  7. Psalm 30:4 זַמְּר֣וּ sing praises

    Sing to the LORD, O you His saints, and praise His holy name.

    Here: A plural command: 'all of you, make music!' It means singing praise, often with instruments, and is the verb behind mizmor ('psalm'), the word this psalm's own heading uses for itself. The singer, just rescued, turns from praying alone to calling a crowd to sing with him.

  8. Psalm 30:12 יְזַמֶּרְךָ֣ it may sing praises to you

    that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever.

    Here: A form meaning "it will sing (and play) to you" or "make music to you". The verb belongs to musical praise, often with instruments (the noun *mizmor*, "psalm", comes from it). The thing singing is "glory", the next word.

  9. Psalm 33:2 זַמְּרוּ־ make music

    Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings.

    Here: A plural command: 'make music.' The word covers both singing and playing an instrument, and here, with instruments named, it most likely means singing to your own playing. The Hebrew word for 'psalm,' mizmor, comes from this root.

  10. Psalm 47:6 זַמְּר֣וּ זַמֵּ֑רוּ זַמְּר֖וּ זַמֵּֽרוּ׃ sing praises to, sing praises

    Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises!

    Here: A plural command addressed to the whole gathered crowd: "make music!" The verb covers singing and playing, usually in praise, and here it starts a quick volley of four commands.

  11. Psalm 47:7 זַמְּר֥וּ sing praises

    For God is King of all the earth; sing to Him a psalm of praise.

    Here: A plural command: 'Make music, all of you!' This is the fifth time in a row the word is used (four times in v. 6). It means praise sung with instruments, especially strings, not just spoken words.

  12. Psalm 57:7 וַאֲזַמֵּֽרָה׃ and I will sing praises

    My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music.

    Here: Also a resolve. Zamar is the music-making, often with stringed instruments, from which mizmor ('psalm') comes. The next verse names the harp and lyre, so voice and strings are both in view.

  13. Psalm 57:9 אֲ֝זַמֶּרְךָ֗ I will sing praises to you

    I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing Your praises among the peoples.

  14. Psalm 59:17 אֲזַמֵּ֑רָה I will sing praises

    To You, O my strength, I sing praises, for You, O God, are my fortress, my God of loving devotion.

    Here: 'Let me make music', with an ending that expresses resolve: 'I am determined to sing'. It differs by one Hebrew letter from 'I will watch' (eshmorah) in the matching refrain of verse 9.

  15. Psalm 61:8 אֲזַמְּרָ֣ה I will sing praises to

    Then I will ever sing praise to Your name and fulfill my vows day by day.

  16. Psalm 66:2 זַמְּר֥וּ sing praises

    Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious.

    Here: A plural command to everyone (the 'all the earth' of v.1): make music, sung and probably played on instruments. It is the verb behind mizmor, 'psalm', the word in this psalm's heading, so the psalm calls for the very kind of song it is.

  17. Psalm 66:4 וִֽיזַמְּרוּ־ יְזַמְּר֖וּ so they may sing praises, they sing praises to

    All the earth bows down to You; they sing praise to You; they sing praise to Your name.” Selah

    Here: "And they make music." The "and" joins the singing to the bowing: homage that turns into song. This kind of joined clause can also carry a wish or purpose ("and let them sing"), which is how the BSB's interlinear gloss takes it.

  18. Psalm 68:4 זַמְּר֪וּ sing praises to

    Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds—His name is the LORD—and rejoice before Him.

    Here: A second plural command, an intensive verb form linked to mizmor ('psalm'). It probably means singing with instruments, especially strings. It pairs with 'sing' to cover voice and music together.

  19. Psalm 68:32 זַמְּר֖וּ sing praises to

    Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord—Selah

  20. Psalm 71:22 אֲזַמְּרָ֣ה I will make music

    So I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

    Here: "Let me make music / I will play and sing." The verb form expresses resolve: "I am determined to." The root is the same as mizmôr, "psalm", and it means music made with instruments and voice together.

  21. Psalm 71:23 אֲזַמְּרָה־ I will make music

    When I sing praise to You my lips will shout for joy, along with my soul, which You have redeemed.

    Here: 'Let me make music' or 'I will make music.' The form expresses resolve. Right after v.22 names harp and lyre, it means singing praise to the strings, the activity behind the noun mizmor, 'psalm'.

  22. Psalm 75:9 אֲ֝זַמְּרָ֗ה I will sing praises

    But I will proclaim Him forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.

  23. Psalm 92:1 וּלְזַמֵּ֖ר and to sing praises

    A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath day. It is good to praise the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High,

    Here: To make music in praise, singing and very likely playing instruments. Verse 3 goes on to name the ten-stringed lute and the lyre. It is the root of mizmor, 'psalm', the word in this psalm's heading.

  24. Psalm 98:4 וְזַמֵּֽרוּ׃ and make music

    Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth—let your cry ring out, and sing praises!

    Here: 'And make music!' This verb belongs to played and sung music. The word for 'psalm' (mizmôr) comes from it, and the next verse at once names the lyre. The verse moves from a raw shout to arranged, instrumental praise.

  25. Psalm 98:5 זַמְּר֣וּ make music

    Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, in melodious song with the harp.

  26. Psalm 101:1 אֲזַמֵּֽרָה׃ I will sing praises

    A Psalm of David. I will sing of Your loving devotion and justice; to You, O LORD, I will sing praises.

    Here: Another cohortative of resolve, from a root used for making music in praise, often with instruments (as in Ps 33:2; 98:5). It ends the verse and echoes mizmor in the heading.

  27. Psalm 104:33 אֲזַמְּרָ֖ה I will sing praises

    I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

    Here: Also 'let me…', the same form of resolve. The verb is the root of mizmôr, 'psalm', and covers singing praise and possibly playing music for it. It answers 'sing' in the first half of the line.

  28. Psalm 105:2 זַמְּרוּ־ sing praises

    Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders.

    Here: A second plural command, from the root behind mizmor ("psalm"). It means making music in someone's honour, often with stringed instruments as well as voice. It goes a step past "sing" toward full musical worship.

  29. Psalm 108:1 וַ֝אֲזַמְּרָ֗ה and I will sing praises

    A song. A Psalm of David. My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my being.

    Here: "And let me make music." The verb is the root of mizmor ("psalm") and usually means praise sung to stringed instruments. The next verse calls on harp and lyre, which confirms that here.

  30. Psalm 108:3 וַ֝אֲזַמֶּרְךָ֗ and I will sing praises to you

    I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing Your praises among the peoples.

  31. Psalm 135:3 זַמְּר֥וּ sing praises

    Hallelujah, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.

    Here: A second plural command: make music in praise, singing and often playing instruments. The noun mizmor ('psalm') comes from this root.

  32. Psalm 138:1 אֲזַמְּרֶֽךָּ׃ I will sing praises to you

    Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises.

    Here: 'I will sing and make music to you'. The verb belongs to the world of the lyre and harp, the same root as mizmor ('psalm'). It is performed praise, aimed straight at God ('to you').

  33. Psalm 144:9 אֲזַמְּרָה־ I will make music

    I will sing to You a new song, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will make music to You—

    Here: "Let me make music" or "I will make music." This verb covers singing and playing praise together, and it is often linked with stringed instruments, as it is here. It shares a root with mizmôr, "psalm." Like "I will sing," the form expresses resolve.

  34. Psalm 146:2 אֲזַמְּרָ֖ה I will sing praises

    I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

    Here: The same resolve form: 'let me make music'. The verb belongs to formal worship music and is closely tied to mizmôr ('psalm'). It covers singing to God, and probably also playing for him on instruments.

  35. Psalm 147:1 זַמְּרָ֣ה to sing praises to

    Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!

    Here: A verb form meaning "to make music". The verb is tied to playing strings and singing together, so it suggests real musical performance, not only words of thanks.

  36. Psalm 147:7 זַמְּר֖וּ make music

    Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music on the harp to our God,

  37. Psalm 149:3 יְזַמְּרוּ־ let them make music

    Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.

    Here: "Let them make music." A call like the first verb. It covers singing and playing together, often with string instruments. The word mizmôr ('psalm') in the psalm titles comes from this root.

Isaiah · 1

  1. Isaiah 12:5 זַמְּר֣וּ sing praises to

    Sing to the LORD, for He has done glorious things. Let this be known in all the earth.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.