Original Word: זָמִיר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: zamiyr
Pronunciation: zah-MEER
Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-meer')
KJV: psalm(-ist), singing, song
NASB: songs, psalmist, psalms, song
Word Origin: [from H2167 (זָמַר - sing praises)]

1. a song to be accompanied with instrumental music

psalmist, singing, song

Or zamir {zaw-meer'}; and (feminine) zmirah {zem-ee-raw'}; from zamar; a song to be accompanied with instrumental music -- psalm(-ist), singing, song.

see HEBREW zamar

Word Origin
from zamar
Definition
song
NASB Translation
psalmist (1), psalms (1), song (1), songs (1), songs (2).

I. [זָמִיר] noun masculine^{Isaiah 25:5} song (compare Ba^{NB 136}) — construct זְמִיר Isaiah 25:5; plural absolute זְמִרוֺת Job 35:10 2t., זְמִרֹת Isaiah 24:16; construct זְמִרוֺת 2 Samuel 23:1; — song נְעִים זְמִרוֺת ישׂראל 2 Samuel 23:1 in epithet of David; Job 35:10; Isaiah 24:16; of (hostile) Songs of triumph זְמִיר עָרִיצִים Isaiah 25:5 ("" שְׁאוֺן זָרִים); song in praise of ׳י בִּזְמִרוֺת נָרִיעָה לוֺ Psalm 95:2 ("" תודה), compare היו לי חֻקֶּיךָ ׳ז Psalm 119:54, i.e. they are the subject of my song. — On Songs 2:12 see II. זמיר below II. זמר.

Definition and Thematic Overview

זָמִיר denotes a cultivated, often artistic “song.” It is never a casual tune; the word is reserved for music that carries covenant meaning—whether praise, comfort, celebration, or judgment. In Scripture its seven occurrences span the royal court of David, the counsel of Job, Israel’s temple worship, personal pilgrimage, springtime renewal, worldwide adoration of the Messiah, and the final silencing of the ruthless.

Songs and the Identity of David – 2 Samuel 23:1

David’s final oracle calls him “the sweet psalmist of Israel”, literally “the pleasant זָמִיר of Israel.” The term crowns his life work, linking kingship with inspired song. David’s authority to rule and to compose worship are portrayed as inseparable gifts of the Spirit, setting a paradigm for leaders whose governance must be saturated with God-honoring music.

Nocturnal Comfort and Trust – Job 35:10

Elihu notes that sufferers rarely ask, “Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night?”. Here זָמִיר becomes evidence of divine nearness during dark seasons. The verse invites believers to expect Spirit-given praise even when external relief is delayed, anticipating the midnight hymns of Acts 16:25.

Corporate Worship and Thanksgiving – Psalm 95:2

“Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song”. In temple liturgy זָמִיר functions as a communal response to Yahweh’s royalty. The word underscores that true thanksgiving is voiced, melodic, and shared, reinforcing New Testament calls to speak to one another “with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.”

Instructional Songs on Pilgrimage – Psalm 119:54

“Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage”. The psalmist carries Torah in musical form, turning doctrine into memorable worship for life on the move. זָמִיר thus acts as portable theology, a pattern echoed in Deuteronomy 31:19 and Colossians 3:16.

Seasonal Renewal and Creation Praise – Song of Songs 2:12

“The blossoms have appeared in the land; the time of singing has arrived”. The love poem links springtime with זָמִיר, portraying redeemed romance and the land’s fertility as fitting stages for song. It anticipates the new creation’s harmony where marriage, land, and worship coalesce.

Global Praise at the Dawn of the Kingdom – Isaiah 24:16

“From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise: ‘Glory to the Righteous One’”. After cosmic judgment, survivors worldwide lift up זָמִיר to God’s glory. The vision affirms that true eschatology culminates not merely in survival but in concerted worship led by every nation.

Silencing of the Ruthless – Isaiah 25:5

“…so the song of the ruthless is silenced”. In stark contrast, oppressive nations also have a זָמִיר, yet God mutes it. The verse warns that music divorced from righteousness becomes noise destined for judgment, stressing that lyrical excellence without holiness is unsustainable before the Lord.

Historical and Liturgical Background

In Israel’s worship history זָמִיר likely accompanied stringed instruments, fitting festivals (Leviticus 23), royal processions (1 Chronicles 15), and personal devotion. Its usage aligns with periods of national restoration (Hezekiah, Josiah) when temple choirs were reconstituted, illustrating music’s role in covenant renewal.

Theology of Song in Scripture

1. Revelation: Songs disclose God’s character—His righteousness, love, and sovereignty.
2. Remembrance: Melody cements the memory of God’s acts, aiding intergenerational transmission.
3. Response: Praise, lament, or confidence rendered as זָמִיר is the proper reply to divine initiative.
4. Rehearsal: Eschatological promises are rehearsed now through sung Scripture, training hearts for future glory.

Implications for Ministry Today

• Preachable Song: Encourage congregations to sing Scripture itself, following Psalm 119:54.
• Night Seasons: Model and teach nocturnal praise for those in trial (Job 35:10).
• Leadership: Pastors and elders should view musical oversight as integral, not optional (2 Samuel 23:1).
• Discipleship: Use songs to inculcate doctrine, especially among children and new believers.
• Missional Outlook: Cultivate a repertoire anticipating global, multiethnic worship (Isaiah 24:16).
• Discernment: Evaluate all music for theological integrity lest it resemble the silenced “song of the ruthless” (Isaiah 25:5).

זָמִיר therefore invites the church to a life where theology, devotion, and melody are woven together until the everlasting song of Revelation 5 resounds.

בִּ֝זְמִר֗וֹת בזמרות הַזָּמִ֖יר הזמיר זְ֭מִרוֹת זְמִ֥יר זְמִר֣וֹת זְמִר֥וֹת זְמִרֹ֤ת זמיר זמרות זמרת biz·mi·rō·wṯ bizmiRot bizmirōwṯ haz·zā·mîr hazzaMir hazzāmîr zə·mi·rō·wṯ zə·mi·rōṯ zə·mîr zeMir zəmîr zemiRot zəmirōṯ zəmirōwṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts