The Meaning of Psalms 33:2 Explained

Psalms 33:2

KJV: Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

YLT: Give ye thanks to Jehovah with a harp, With psaltery of ten strings sing praise to Him,

Darby: Give thanks unto Jehovah with the harp; sing psalms unto him with the ten-stringed lute.

ASV: Give thanks unto Jehovah with the harp: Sing praises unto him with the psaltery of ten strings.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Praise  the LORD  with harp:  sing  unto him with the psaltery  [and] an instrument of ten strings. 

What does Psalms 33:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 33:1-12 - "the Word Of Jehovah"
This psalm is eminently calculated to incite praise. Let us note the subjects which are touched upon, in the hope that presently one may strike a spark at which our cold hearts shall flame up.
The words and works of Jehovah are the first to pass in review, Psalms 33:4. Let us never forget that nothing was made apart from our Lord Jesus. He is emphatically the Word through whom the creative fiat went forth, John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2. It is good, as we contemplate the beauties and wonders of creation, to turn in praise to Him, whose parables disclose the secrets which be hid in the works of His hands. If creation proceeded by the stages of evolution, it was due to His initiative and under His superintendence.
Note the vivid touches with which the work of creation is described in Psalms 33:6-9. Then turn to the description of God's providential government, Psalms 33:10-12. We are said to be God's inheritance. See Psalms 33:12. Ephesians 1:11 also tells us that we inherit Him, and Psalms 33:18 that He inherits us. Bring every inch of us under thy tillage, Great Occupier! [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 33

1  God is to be praised for his goodness
6  for his power
12  and for his providence
20  Confidence is to be placed in God

What do the individual words in Psalms 33:2 mean?

Praise Yahweh with the harp with an instrument of ten [strings] Make melody to Him
הוֹד֣וּ לַיהוָ֣ה בְּכִנּ֑וֹר בְּנֵ֥בֶל עָ֝שׂ֗וֹר זַמְּרוּ־ לֽוֹ

הוֹד֣וּ  Praise 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: יָדָה 
Sense: to throw, shoot, cast.
לַיהוָ֣ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בְּכִנּ֑וֹר  with  the  harp 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כִּנּׄור  
Sense: lyre, harp.
בְּנֵ֥בֶל  with  an  instrument 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root:  
Sense: a skin-bag, jar, pitcher.
עָ֝שׂ֗וֹר  of  ten  [strings] 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עָשֹׂור  
Sense: ten, decade.
זַמְּרוּ־  Make  melody 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: זָמַר  
Sense: to sing, sing praise, make music.
לֽוֹ  to  Him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular