“And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”
— 1 Samuel 16:23
"Praise him with the psaltery and harp... praise him with the sound of the trumpet" — Psalm 150 is the Bible's worship band lineup, and David's harp soothed a king's torment. The fifteen verses below are the Bible's direct address to that situation, shown in full KJV text from 1 Samuel 16:23 to Psalms 149:3.
Quick answer: The best-known verse about music here is 1 Samuel 16:23: "And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit…" 2 Chronicles 5:13 follows close behind: "It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the…" Both are public-domain translations, shown in full on the cards below with a modern-English toggle.
And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
1 Samuel 16:23
It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking Yahweh; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised Yahweh, saying, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever!” then the house was filled with a cloud, even Yahweh’s house,
2 Chronicles 5:13
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy!
Psalms 33:3
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises!
Psalms 47:6
For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.
Psalms 47:7
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
My heart is steadfast, God. My heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.
Psalms 57:7
IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:
A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks to Yahweh, to sing praises to your name, Most High,
Psalms 92:1
O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Oh come, let’s sing to Yahweh. Let’s shout aloud to the rock of our salvation!
Psalms 95:1
O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
A Psalm. Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
Psalms 98:1
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth! Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
Psalms 98:4
Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp, with the harp and the voice of melody.
Psalms 98:5
I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
A Psalm by David. I will sing of loving kindness and justice. To you, Yahweh, I will sing praises.
Psalms 101:1
I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
I will sing a new song to you, God. On a ten-stringed lyre, I will sing praises to you.
Psalms 144:9
Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving. Sing praises on the harp to our God,
Psalms 147:7
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
Psalms 149:3
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