Amos 5:23

23 I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me?

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 can't stand your religious meetings. I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions.

22 I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making.

23 I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me?

24 Do you know what I want? I want justice - oceans of it. I want fairness - rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want.

25 "Didn't you, dear family of Israel, worship me faithfully for forty years in the wilderness, bringing the sacrifices and offerings I commanded?