899 B
899 B
lute, lyre
Definition:
A lute and a lyre are small, stringed, musical instruments that were used by the Israelites to worship God.
- A lyre looks like a small harp, having strings strung across an open frame.
- A lute is very similar to a modernday acoustic guitar, having a wooden sound box and an extended neck on which strings are strung.
- In playing a lute or a lyre, certain strings are held down with the fingers of one hand while these and other strings are plucked or strummed with the other hand.
- The lute, lyre, and harp are all played by strumming or plucking the strings.
- The number of strings varied, but the Old Testament specifically mentions instruments that had ten strings.
(See also: other/harp)