And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of fir wood. The quality of the wood used in the formation of musical instruments is of the greatest importance. The peculiar fitness of fir wood for that purpose was recognized in very ancient times (Wilkinson, 'Ancient Egyptians,' 2:, pp 32, 35; 'Egypt's Testimony,' p. 217), and the knowledge of it probably borrowed from Egypt by the Hebrews. Indeed, a preference still continues to be given to this wood above that of every other tree, in the fabric of musical instruments. [The Septuagint has interpolated: en oodais, with songs].
On harps - (see the notes at 1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Samuel 16:23.)
On psalteries - (see the notes at 1 Samuel 10:5.)
On timbrels - (see the notes at Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34.)
On cornets - a musical instrument which gave a tinkling sound on being rapidly moved, (Wilkinson's 'Ancient Egyptians,' 2:, p. 323, etc.)
On cymbals - an instrument of percussion (see the notes at 1 Samuel 18:6), two being struck together to produce a clanging sound (Wilkinson's 'Ancient Egyptians,' 3:, p. 72, 73: cf. Josephus, 'Antiquities,' b. 7:, ch. 12:, sec. 3). The musicians and singers were divided into seven companies (see the notes at 1 Chronicles 15:1-29:: cf. Josephus, 'Antiquities,' b. 7:, ch. 4:, sec. 2). It has been supposed by some writers that Psalms 24:1-10 was sung in parts on this occasion.