Amos 5:23 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

Take thou away from me - literally, 'Take away from upon me;' the idea being that of a burden pressing upon the bearer. So Isaiah 1:14, "They are a trouble unto me (literally, a burden upon me): I am weary to bear them."

The noise of thy songs - the hymns and instrumental music on sacred occasions are to me nothing but a disagreeable noise.

For I will not hear the melody of thy viols. Isaiah substitutes "prayers" (Isaiah 1:15) for the "songs" and "melody" here; but, like Amos, closes with "I will not hear," "yea, when ye make many prayers I will not hear."

Amos 5:23

23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.