5421 musical instruments

Scripture names a large number of musical instruments, particularly in the OT, reflecting the importance of music in Israelite worship and culture.

Wind instruments

Trumpets Ex 19:16; Ex 20:18; Lev 25:9; Jdg 3:27; 1Ki 1:39; Ps 150:3; Rev 8:7-13

Flutes Ge 4:21; Job 21:12; Ps 150:4; Da 3:5-15; Mt 9:23; Mt 11:17

Horns Ps 98:4-6 The NIV translates several different Hebrew words as “ram’s horn” or “horn”, including “shophar” (Ps 81:3) which is translated elsewhere as “trumpet”. The horn was a very similar instrument to the trumpet, being made from the horn of an animal, usually a ram. See also Ex 19:13; 2Ch 15:14; Ps 81:3

Stringed instruments

Harps Ge 4:21; 1Sa 16:18; Job 30:31; Ps 43:4; Ps 81:2; Ps 149:3; Ps 150:3; Da 3:5-11; Rev 5:8

Lyres Ps 33:2; Ps 71:22; Ps 81:2; Ps 108:2; Ps 144:9; Da 3:5-10

Several of the psalms were intended to be sung to the accompaniment of stringed instruments Ps 4:1 Title See also Ps 6:1 Title; Ps 54:1 Title; Ps 55:1 Title; Ps 61:1 Title; Ps 67:1 Title; Ps 76:1 Title

Percussion instruments

Tambourines Ps 149:3; Isa 5:12 See also Ge 31:27; Ex 15:20-21; Jdg 11:34; 1Sa 10:5; 1Sa 18:6-7; 2Sa 6:5 pp 1Ch 13:8; Job 21:12; Ps 68:24-25; Ps 81:1-2; Ps 150:4; Isa 24:8; Isa 30:32; Jer 31:4

Cymbals Ps 150:1-6; 1Co 13:1 See also 2Sa 6:5 pp 1Ch 13:8 David’s appointment of the Levites to sound the cymbals in the temple worship: 1Ch 15:16,19; 1Ch 16:5,42; 1Ch 25:1,6
1Ch 15:28; 2Ch 5:12-13; 2Ch 29:25; Ezr 3:10; Ne 12:27

Sistrums 2Sa 6:3-5

Babylonian instruments

Da 3:4-5 See also Da 3:7,10,15; Rev 18:21-22

See also