Psalms 57:8
Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
Original Language Analysis
כְבוֹדִ֗י
my glory
H3519
כְבוֹדִ֗י
my glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
הַנֵּ֥בֶל
psaltery
H5035
הַנֵּ֥בֶל
psaltery
Strong's:
H5035
Word #:
4 of 7
a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)
Cross References
Psalms 16:9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.Judges 5:12Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.Isaiah 52:1Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.Acts 2:26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:Psalms 30:12To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.Isaiah 52:9Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.Psalms 150:3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Historical Context
The psaltery and harp were standard temple instruments, indicating David's composition for liturgical use. David's musical skill (1 Samuel 16:16-23) made him Israel's chief worship leader, establishing patterns for temple worship under Solomon.
Questions for Reflection
- How does self-exhortation to praise function when emotions resist worship?
- What role should beauty and artistic excellence play in corporate worship?
Analysis & Commentary
David's self-exhortation 'Awake up, my glory' addresses his soul/spirit, calling it to praise. The Hebrew 'kabod' (glory) here likely means his innermost being or possibly his tongue as the instrument of praise. Awakening the psaltery and harp demonstrates that worship engages creation's beauty—musical instruments—to glorify the Creator. 'I myself will awake early' indicates priority and discipline in praise.