who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that these wealthy Israelites justify their extravagant music by imitating King David, but their intent is worldly pleasure, not the worship of God. David's musical inventions were for divine praise, while theirs are "idle songs" and for self-indulgence, twisting a godly example into an excuse for sin.
who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Amos is denouncing the wealthy elite of Israel, who are living in luxury and completely ignoring the suffering of the poor. They feel secure in their comfort, believing their prosperity is a sign of God's favor, but Amos reveals it's actually a sign of impending judgment. This verse describes their indulgent, self-absorbed entertainment, a stark contrast to the warnings God is sending.
Amos uses a unique word here to describe their music. What does it tell us about their 'songs'?
The Hebrew word used for 'chant' in this verse is rare, appearing only in Amos. Scholars suggest it means something like 'prattle,' 'jabber,' or 'sing idle songs.' It describes a hurried, unconsidered flow of words where rhythm and sound matter more than sense or meaning. This is a stark contrast to the purposeful, God-honoring music that David developed for worship. Their music wasn't about heartfelt praise or deep reflection; it was about superficial entertainment and self-indulgence.
They 'invent instruments of music, like David.' How was their imitation flawed?
David was renowned for his musical skill and for developing instruments and songs for the worship of God. The people Amos addresses are taking David's example and twisting it. They use their musical innovations not for divine service, but to fuel their own luxurious feasts and self-gratification. The key difference lies in the purpose and the heart's motivation. David's music was offered to God in times of peace and worship; their music was offered to themselves in a time when God's judgment was imminent.
Understand the original words
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parat · Hebrew Verb
A term used in music or poetry, often referring to songs that are trivial, frivolous, or lacking in spiritual substance. It denotes a mind occupied with earthly pleasure rather than the glory of God.
yayin · Hebrew Noun
The fermented juice of grapes, often used in scripture as a symbol of joy, celebration, and God's blessing, but frequently condemned when associated with excess, drunkenness, or escapism.
suk · Hebrew Verb
The action of applying oil to the skin, which in biblical times served for health, grooming, and luxury, and was also used symbolically in rituals of consecration to God.
sheber · Hebrew Noun
A catastrophic collapse or destruction, often used to describe the moral, social, or spiritual downfall of a nation or an individual as a result of divine judgment.
Yoseph · Hebrew Proper Noun
A covenant name for Israel's ancestor, often used in the prophets to refer to the Northern Kingdom or the entire covenant nation, representing the people to whom God gave His promises.
The wealthy elite of Israel are indulging in luxurious, self-serving entertainment, even corrupting the sacred use of music and the example of King David for their own pleasure, all while ignoring the imminent danger from Assyria and God's judgment.
c. 1010-970 BC
Davidic Dynasty Flourishes
King David and his son Solomon establish a strong monarchy, marked by significant developments in temple worship, including the introduction of musical instruments and choirs.
c. 8th Century BC— this verse
Amos Prophesies
Amos, a shepherd from Judah, is called to prophesy to the northern kingdom of Israel during a period of outward prosperity but deep moral and spiritual decay.
c. 760 BC
Assyrian Empire's Rise
The powerful Neo-Assyrian Empire begins to expand its influence, posing a significant threat to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria, is conquered by the Assyrians, leading to the exile of the ten tribes and the end of the northern kingdom.
This passage introduces David as a skilled musician, particularly with the harp, which becomes a point of ironic comparison for Amos's audience who imitate his musical inventiveness for shallow pleasure rather than godly worship.
2 Chronicles 29:26This verse explicitly mentions David's instruments being used in temple worship, highlighting the contrast with Amos's audience who 'invent for themselves' instruments for self-indulgence, not for God's glory.
Psalm 137:3The exiles in Babylon were forced to sing 'the songs of Zion' and asked to play their 'lyres,' a stark contrast to the idle songs and self-serving music described in Amos, emphasizing the sacred purpose of music that the wealthy Israelites had abandoned.
Isaiah 5:12This passage also condemns self-indulgent feasting and music, stating 'But they are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore they will now be the first to go into exile, and their feasting days will be ended.' This echoes Amos's critique of luxury and its devastating consequences.
barnesAmos 6:5: "That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;"
That chant to the voice of the lyre - Accompanying "the voice of the lyre" with the human voice; giving vocal expression and utterance to what the instrumental music spoke without words. The word, which Amos alone uses in this one place, describes probably a hurried flow of unmeaning, unconsidered words, in which the rhythm of words and music was everything, the sense, nothing; much lik…
pulpitAmos 6:5: "That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;"
Verse 5. - That chant. The word parat (ἅπαξ λεγόμενον) means rather "to prattle," "to sing idle songs," as the Revised Version translates it. The reading of the Septuagint varies between ἐπικρατοῦντες. "excelling," and ἐπικροτοῦντες, the latter of which words might mean "applauding." Viol (see note on Amos 5:23). Invent to themselves instruments of music, like David. As David devised str…
The verse highlights that these wealthy Israelites justify their extravagant music by imitating King David, but their intent is worldly pleasure, not the worship of God. David's musical inventions were for divine praise, while theirs are "idle songs" and for self-indulgence, twisting a godly example into an excuse for sin.
The prophet Amos is denouncing the wealthy elite of Israel, who are living in luxury and completely ignoring the suffering of the poor. They feel secure in their comfort, believing their prosperity is a sign of God's favor, but Amos reveals it's actually a sign of impending judgment. This verse describes their indulgent, self-absorbed entertainment, a stark contrast to the warnings God is sending.
The prophet Amos is denouncing the wealthy elite of Israel, who are living in luxury and completely ignoring the suffering of the poor. They feel secure in their comfort, believing their prosperity is a sign of God's favor, but Amos reveals it's actually a sign of impending judgment. This verse describes their indulgent, self-absorbed entertainment, a stark contrast to the warnings God is sending.
"who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!" — The verse highlights that these wealthy Israelites justify their extravagant music by imitating King David, but their intent is worldly pleasure, not the worship of God. David's musical inventions we…
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Last reviewed October 2026