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Psalms 108:2

Psalms 108:2 in Multiple Translations

Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake right early.

Give out your sounds, O corded instruments: the dawn will be awaking with my song.

Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn!

Awake viole and harpe: I will awake early.

Awake, psaltery and harp, I awake the dawn.

Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn.

Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

O God, be not thou silent in thy praise: for the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful man is opened against me.

I will arise before the sun rises, and I will praise you while I play my big harp and my ◄lyre/small harp►.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 108:2

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Psalms 108:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB נָכ֣וֹן לִבִּ֣/י אֱלֹהִ֑ים אָשִׁ֥ירָה וַ֝/אֲזַמְּרָ֗ה אַף כְּבוֹדִֽ/י
נָכ֣וֹן kûwn H3559 to establish V-Niphal
לִבִּ֣/י lêb H3820 heart N-ms | Suff
אֱלֹהִ֑ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp
אָשִׁ֥ירָה shîyr H7891 to sing V-Qal-1cs
וַ֝/אֲזַמְּרָ֗ה zâmar H2167 to sing Conj | V-Piel-1cs
אַף ʼaph H637 also DirObjM
כְּבוֹדִֽ/י kâbôwd H3519 glory N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 108:2

נָכ֣וֹן kûwn H3559 "to establish" V-Niphal
This verb means to set something up or establish it, like setting up a tent or appointing someone to a position, as seen in Isaiah 7:14.
Definition: : prepare/direct 1) to be firm, be stable, be established 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed 1a1a) to be firmly established 1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring 1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined 1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense) 1a3) to prepare, be ready 1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm 1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish 1b3) to direct toward (moral sense) 1b4) to arrange, order 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be established, be fastened 1c2) to be prepared, be ready 1d) (Polel) 1d1) to set up, establish 1d2) to constitute, make 1d3) to fix 1d4) to direct 1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared 1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed. See also: Genesis 41:32; Job 18:12; Psalms 5:10.
לִבִּ֣/י lêb H3820 "heart" N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
אֱלֹהִ֑ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
אָשִׁ֥ירָה shîyr H7891 "to sing" V-Qal-1cs
This Hebrew word means to sing, and it is used in the Bible to describe the act of singing, like when the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 15. It can also refer to a singer or songstress. The Bible often mentions singing as a way to praise God.
Definition: 1) to sing 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sing 1a2) singer, songstresses (participle) 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to sing 1b2) singer, songstress (participle) 1c) (Hophal) to be sung
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: behold (by mistake for H7789 (שׁוּר)), sing(-er, -ing man, -ing woman). See also: Exodus 15:1; Nehemiah 12:45; Psalms 7:1.
וַ֝/אֲזַמְּרָ֗ה zâmar H2167 "to sing" Conj | V-Piel-1cs
This word means to sing or make music, often with praise and celebration. In the Psalms, it describes singing with instruments and voice, giving thanks to God. It's about joyful noise and worship.
Definition: 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)
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: give praise, sing forth praises, psalms. See also: Judges 5:3; Psalms 68:5; Psalms 7:18.
אַף ʼaph H637 "also" DirObjM
The Hebrew word for 'also' or 'addition', used to connect ideas or show a relationship between them, as seen in Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean 'though' or 'yet', indicating a contrast. This word is often used to add emphasis or provide more information.
Definition: conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater) 1) also, yea, though, so much the more adv 2) furthermore, indeed Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: also, [phrase] although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, [phrase] how much less (more, rather than), moreover, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:1; Psalms 16:6; Psalms 16:7.
כְּבוֹדִֽ/י kâbôwd H3519 "glory" N-cs | Suff
Glory refers to great honor or splendor, often used to describe God's majesty, as in Psalm 138:5 where David praises God's glorious name. It can also refer to wealth or abundance, like in Genesis 31:1 where Jacob's wealth is described.
Definition: 1) glory, honour, glorious, abundance 1a) abundance, riches 1b) honour, splendour, glory 1c) honour, dignity 1d) honour, reputation 1e) honour, reverence, glory 1f) glory
Usage: Occurs in 189 OT verses. KJV: glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able). See also: Genesis 31:1; Psalms 113:4; Psalms 3:4.

Study Notes — Psalms 108:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Psalms 69:30 I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving.
2 Psalms 81:2 Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre.
3 Psalms 33:2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings.
4 Psalms 57:8 Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
5 Psalms 92:1–4 It is good to praise the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning and Your faithfulness at night with the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre. For You, O LORD, have made me glad by Your deeds; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
6 Psalms 103:22 Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
7 Judges 5:12 ‘Awake, awake, O Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, O Barak, and take hold of your captives, O son of Abinoam!’

Psalms 108:2 Summary

This verse is a call to worship and praise God with all our being, using the beautiful sounds of music to awaken our hearts and spirits to His presence. The Psalmist is saying that he wants to start the day with praise and worship, and to declare God's glory to all people, as seen in Psalms 108:3. Just like the Psalmist, we can start our day with music and worship, and look for ways to share God's love and goodness with those around us, as encouraged in Psalms 100:1-5 and Matthew 5:16. By doing so, we can bring joy and light to our lives and the lives of others, and fulfill our purpose as children of God, as seen in Isaiah 43:7 and 1 Peter 2:9.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the harp and lyre in Psalms 108:2?

The harp and lyre are musical instruments used to praise God, as seen in Psalms 33:2 and 1 Samuel 16:23, and the call to awaken them is a call to worship and make music to the Lord.

What does it mean to awaken the dawn?

To awaken the dawn means to usher in a new day of praise and worship, much like the Psalmist's declaration in Psalms 57:8 to awaken his soul to praise God, and it may also symbolize the coming of a new era of God's presence and glory, as prophesied in Isaiah 60:1-3.

Is this verse only about music and worship?

While music and worship are central to this verse, the broader context of Psalms 108:2 suggests that it is also about the Psalmist's commitment to praise God in every aspect of life, as expressed in Psalms 108:1 and Psalms 108:3, and to declare His glory among the nations, as seen in Psalms 96:3 and Romans 15:9.

How can I apply this verse to my daily life?

You can apply this verse by making a conscious effort to start your day with praise and worship, as encouraged in Psalms 5:3 and Lamentations 3:22-23, and to look for opportunities to declare God's glory and goodness to those around you, as commanded in Matthew 28:19-20 and 1 Peter 2:9.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can use my talents and gifts to awaken the dawn and bring praise to God?
  2. How can I make worship and music a more integral part of my daily life, and what role can it play in my spiritual growth and development, as seen in Ephesians 5:18-20 and Colossians 3:16?
  3. What are some things that might be hindering me from fully awakening to praise and worship God, and how can I overcome them, as encouraged in Hebrews 12:1-3 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5?
  4. In what ways can I declare God's glory and goodness to those around me, and what impact might this have on my relationships and community, as seen in Acts 2:47 and 1 Thessalonians 2:8?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 108:2

[See comments on Psalms 57:8].

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 108:2

Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 108:2

2. Awake, psaltery and harp] There is a special fitness in the call, if this Psalm was compiled at a time when the harp of Israel had long been mute in the Exile (Psalms 137:2). I myself will awake early] Better, as R.V. marg., I will awake the dawn. A bold and beautiful poetical figure. The dawn is often personified (Job 41:18; Psalms 139:9). Usually it is the dawn that awakes men; the Psalmist will awake the dawn by his praises before daybreak.

Barnes' Notes on Psalms 108:2

Awake, psaltery and harp ... - This is copied without change from Psalms 57:8.

Sermons on Psalms 108:2

SermonDescription
Basilea Schlink The True Song of Praise by Basilea Schlink In this sermon, Basilia Schlink emphasizes the power and importance of praise and worship in the life of an overcomer. She explains that an overcomer's heart and thoughts are alway
Carter Conlon The Humble Will Soon Hear Your Song by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of God's presence in our lives. He describes the blessings that come with God's presence, such as a harmonious family and obe
Andrew Bonar Singing Before Suffering. by Andrew Bonar Andrew Bonar emphasizes the significance of singing in the face of suffering, highlighting that Jesus sang a hymn with His disciples just before His impending crucifixion, demonstr
Clement of Rome Offer to God by Clement of Rome Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of confession and praise to the Lord, stating that God desires our acknowledgment and gratitude more than material offerings. He quotes th
James Bourne Letter 136. by James Bourne James Bourne emphasizes the importance of seeking God's presence and love in old age, urging Sukey and Charles to be diligent in prayer and to search for God in His word. He encour
Leonard Ravenhill Christ Magnified in Our Bodies by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of redeeming the time and not wasting opportunities. He highlights the urgency of spreading the gospel, as there are millions
Leonard Ravenhill If Any Man Be in Christ - Part 4 (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of dedicating our bodies to the Lord. He refers to Psalm 59, which describes the body as an instrument with ten strings, repr

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