Amos 5:23

23 Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.[a]

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 despise your feasts! I can't stand the stench of your solemn assemblies.
22 Even if you offer Me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept [them]; I will have no regard for your fellowship offerings of fattened cattle.
23 Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream.
25 "House of Israel, was it sacrifices and grain offerings that you presented to Me during the 40 years in the wilderness?

Footnotes 1

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