lute, lyre, lyres

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: harp)