Mazmur 33:2-3

33:2 Give thanks to the Lord with the harp!

Sing to him to the accompaniment of a ten-stringed instrument!

33:3 Sing to him a new song! ¹ 

Play skillfully as you shout out your praises to him! ² 

Mazmur 71:22

71:22 I will express my thanks to you with a stringed instrument,

praising ³  your faithfulness, O my God!

I will sing praises to you accompanied by a harp,

O Holy One of Israel! ⁴ 

[33:3]  ¹ sn A new song is appropriate because the Lord is constantly intervening in the lives of his people in fresh and exciting ways.

[33:3]  ² tn Heb “play skillfully with a loud shout.”

[71:22]  ³ tn The word “praising” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[71:22]  ⁴ sn The basic sense of the word “holy” is “set apart from that which is commonplace, special, unique.” The Lord’s holiness is first and foremost his transcendent sovereignty as the ruler of the world. He is “set apart” from the world over which he rules. At the same time his holiness encompasses his moral authority, which derives from his royal position. As king he has the right to dictate to his subjects how they are to live; indeed his very own character sets the standard for proper behavior.