Amos 5:23

23 Stop your noisy songs; I do not want to listen to your harps.

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 The Lord says, "I hate your religious festivals; I cannot stand them!

22 When you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; I will not accept the animals you have fattened to bring me as offerings.

23 Stop your noisy songs; I do not want to listen to your harps.

24 Instead, let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry.

25 "People of Israel, I did not demand sacrifices and offerings during those forty years that I led you through the desert.