שִׁיר

From the study of Psalm 105:2

Range of meaning

To sing, whether in worship, celebration, victory or mourning songs. The noun shîr means "song."

Against the English

All versions have "sing," which is accurate.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exod 15:1, 21: Moses and Miriam's song at the sea ("Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously"), with the same "sing to + the LORD" construction. Ps 96:1–2 and 98:1 open with the same imperative.

From the study of Isaiah 5:1

Range of meaning

To sing, and a song. It covers victory songs (Exod 15; the Song of the Sea uses the same opening form, 'I will sing', ʾāshîrāh, Exod 15:1), worship songs, work and harvest songs, and love songs.

Against the English

English 'sing… a song' reproduces the echo. 'I will sing' (BSB) is weaker than 'let me sing' (WEB, ESV), which keeps the sense of a performer asking leave to begin.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exod 15:1 and Judg 5:3 open with the same verb form. Ps 45's title shows that 'song' plus a love word made a recognisable genre label.

From the study of Psalm 33:3

Range of meaning

The verb means to sing. The noun means a song: anything sung with words, from temple song to work songs, love songs (Song of Songs is the 'Song of songs'), and victory songs.

Against the English

'Sing ... a song' reproduces the Hebrew well. Hebrew likes to pair a verb with a noun from the same root ('sing a song'), which gives emphasis and a ringing sound. English keeps this here.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exodus 15:1, 'Then Moses and the Israelites sang (yashir) this song (hashirah) to the LORD,' is the model victory song after God defeated an army. Other examples are Judges 5:1 (Deborah) and Numbers 21:17 (the song of the well). The 'Songs of Ascents' (Pss 120–134) and the psalm headings (shir mizmor) use the same noun.