Amos 5:23

23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of 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 “I hate all your show and pretense— the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.

22 I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.

23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps.

24 Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.

25 “Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, Israel?