lute, lyre

Definition:

The lute and the lyre are small, stringed, musical instruments that were used by the Israelites to worship God.

A lyre looks like a small harp, with an open frame that the strings are strung across.
A lute is very similar to a modern day acoustic guitar, having a wooden sound box and an extended neck on which the strings are strung.
To play a lute or a lyre, certain strings are held down with the fingers of one hand while 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: harp)