2172. zimrah
Lexical Summary
zimrah: song, melody, sound

Original Word: זִמְרָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: zimrah
Pronunciation: zim-RAW
Phonetic Spelling: (zim-raw')
KJV: melody, psalm
NASB: song, melody, sound
Word Origin: [from H2167 (זָמַר - sing praises)]

1. a musical piece or song to be accompanied by an instrument

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
melody, psalm

From zamar; a musical piece or song to be accompanied by an instrument -- melody, psalm.

see HEBREW zamar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from zamar
Definition
melody, song (in praise of Yah)
NASB Translation
melody (2), song (3), sound (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. זִמְרָה noun feminine melody, song, in praise of ׳י — absolute ׳ז Psalm 81:3 2t.; זִמְרָת Exodus 15:2; Psalm 118:14; Isaiah 12:2, read זִמְרָתִ(יׅ (see DiEx SS); construct זִמְרַת Amos 5:23, on Genesis 43:11 see below; —

1 of instrumental music וְזִמְרַת נְבָלֶיךָ Amos 5:23 ("" המון שִׁריך).

2 of singing ׳תּוֺדָה וקול ז Isaiah 51:3; as subject of song עֻזִּי וְזִמְרָתִי יָהּ (so read) Exodus 15:2; Isaiah 12:2; Psalm 118:14.

3 not clearly determined וּתְנותֹֿ֑ף כנור נעים ׳שְׂאוּזֿ עםנָָֽֿבֶלָ Psalm 81:3; ׳בכנור וקול ז Psalm 98:5 (compare III. זמר near the end). — On מִזִּמְרַת הארץ Genesis 43:11 see זמרה below

זִמְרָת see I. זִמְרָה. above

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Zimrah

זִמְרָה (zimrah) denotes “song,” “music,” or “melodious praise,” normally accompanied by instruments. Its four appearances trace a movement from exuberant celebration, through prophetic vision, to Divine censure of hollow worship. Together the texts reveal a theology of praise that is inseparable from sincerity of heart and covenant fidelity.

Liturgical Celebration in the Psalms

Psalm 81:2 places zimrah in the midst of festal worship: “Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre”. Israel’s corporate praise blends vocal acclamation with skilled instrumentation, underscoring that artistic excellence is a fitting offering to the Lord. Psalm 98:5 reiterates the theme: “Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, in melodious song with the harp”. Here zimrah serves as the joyful response to Yahweh’s universal reign (Psalm 98:1-4), inviting “all the earth” into jubilant acclaim. These Psalms establish zimrah as a covenant privilege: redeemed people announce God’s mighty acts with beauty and skill, drawing the nations to the splendor of His salvation.

Promise of Restoration in Isaiah

Isaiah 51:3 projects zimrah into an eschatological promise: “Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of music”. Zion’s wastelands will echo once more with the music of redeemed hearts. The verse situates zimrah at the heart of the new-creation hope—when God reverses desolation, worship is the natural outcome. Praise is not an accessory to restoration; it is evidence that restoration has occurred.

Prophetic Warning in Amos

Amos 5:23 provides the essential counterbalance: “Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps”. Here zimrah becomes the object of Divine rejection because the worshipers despise justice and righteousness (Amos 5:21-24). The text proves that ceremonial precision cannot substitute for moral obedience. Music devoid of truth offends rather than pleases God.

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Integrity: True zimrah flows from hearts aligned with God’s covenant purposes.
2. Sacred Aesthetics: Artistic beauty is welcomed by God when it arises from holiness.
3. Eschatological Hope: The final renewal of creation will be marked by unending songs.
4. Judgement on Hypocrisy: Worship arts are judged by the ethical life that accompanies them.

Implications for Christian Worship Today

• Integrate Justice and Praise: Congregational music must be paired with communal concern for righteousness, lest Amos 5:23 stand against the church.
• Encourage Artistic Excellence: The Psalms sanction skilled instrumentation and thoughtful composition as worthy avenues of glorifying God.
• Anticipate Future Glory: Every hymn or chorus is a rehearsal for the eternal chorus described in Revelation 5:9-14.
• Foster Corporate and Missional Vision: Zimrah in the Psalms summons “all the earth” (Psalm 98:4). Music becomes a missional witness that proclaims the gospel across cultural boundaries.

Personal Devotion and Discipleship

Believers are urged to cultivate lives where thanksgiving naturally erupts in song (Colossians 3:16). Private worship nourishes public integrity; private compromise drains public praise of its authenticity. Whenever the Spirit fills the heart, “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19) overflow in genuine zimrah.

In sum, Strong’s Hebrew 2172 paints praise as both gift and responsibility: a gift to be expressed with beauty, and a responsibility to be matched by lives of faithfulness.

Forms and Transliterations
וְזִמְרַ֥ת וזמרת זִ֭מְרָה זִמְרָֽה׃ זמרה זמרה׃ vezimRat wə·zim·raṯ wəzimraṯ zim·rāh Zimrah zimrāh
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Psalm 81:2
HEB: שְֽׂאוּ־ זִ֭מְרָה וּתְנוּ־ תֹ֑ף
NAS: Raise a song, strike the timbrel,
KJV: Take a psalm, and bring
INT: Raise A song strike the timbrel

Psalm 98:5
HEB: בְּ֝כִנּ֗וֹר וְק֣וֹל זִמְרָֽה׃
NAS: With the lyre and the sound of melody.
KJV: and the voice of a psalm.
INT: the lyre and the sound of melody

Isaiah 51:3
HEB: תּוֹדָ֖ה וְק֥וֹל זִמְרָֽה׃ ס
NAS: and sound of a melody.
KJV: and the voice of melody.
INT: her Thanksgiving and sound of a melody

Amos 5:23
HEB: הֲמ֣וֹן שִׁרֶ֑יךָ וְזִמְרַ֥ת נְבָלֶ֖יךָ לֹ֥א
NAS: I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.
KJV: for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
INT: the noise of your songs to the sound of your harps even

4 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2172
4 Occurrences


wə·zim·raṯ — 1 Occ.
zim·rāh — 3 Occ.

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