Amos 5:23

23 Spare me the noise of your songs! I don't want to hear the strumming of your lutes!

Amos 5:23 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 5:23

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs
The ten tribes, very probably, imitated the, temple music at Jerusalem, both vocal and instrumental, and had their songs and hymns of praise, which they sung to certain tunes; but the music of these is called a noise, being very disagreeable to the Lord, as coming from such carnal and wicked persons; and therefore he desires it might cease, be took away, and he be no more troubled with it: for I will not hear the melody of thy viols:
which may be put for all instruments of music used by them, as violins, harps, psalteries the sound of which, how melodious soever, the, Lord would turn a deaf ear unto, and not regard.

Amos 5:23 In-Context

21 "I hate, I utterly loathe your festivals; I take no pleasure in your solemn assemblies.
22 If you offer me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; nor will I consider the peace offerings of your stall-fed cattle.
23 Spare me the noise of your songs! I don't want to hear the strumming of your lutes!
24 Instead, let justice well up like water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
25 Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings in the desert forty years, house of Isra'el?
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.