שִׁיר
shir
song
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word שִׁיר (shir) is a noun that translates to "song." It appears 78 times in the Bible, indicating its significance in ancient Hebrew culture and literature. The word שִׁיר encompasses a broad range of musical expressions, from celebratory hymns to poetic compositions. In its various occurrences, שִׁיר is often associated with praise, worship, and celebration. It can describe a song of joy, a hymn of thanksgiving, or a poetic expression of love. The word is also used to describe the music of the harp, the lyre, and other instruments, highlighting the importance of music in ancient Hebrew culture. The frequency and versatility of שִׁיר suggest its importance in Hebrew literature and worship. It embodies the emotional and expressive aspects of human experience, providing a means for people to express their feelings, tell stories, and connect with the divine.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
78 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
Then she looked, and, behold, the king stood by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpets by the king. All the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. The singers also played musical instruments, and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes, and said, “Treason! treason!”
2 Chronicles 23:18Jehoiada appointed the officers of Yahweh’s house under the hand of the Levitical priests, whom David had distributed in Yahweh’s house, to offer the burnt offerings of Yahweh, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as David had ordered.
2 Chronicles 29:27Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, Yahweh’s song also began, along with the trumpets and David king of Israel’s instruments.
2 Chronicles 29:28All the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished.
2 Chronicles 34:12The men did the work faithfully. Their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to give direction; and others of the Levites, who were all skillful with musical instruments.
Nehemiah 12:27At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with giving thanks, and with singing, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and with harps.
Nehemiah 12:36and his brothers, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God; and Ezra the scribe was before them.
Nehemiah 12:46For in the days of David and Asaph of old there was a chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
Psalms 28:7Yahweh is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him.
Psalms 30:0a psalm the song of the dedication of the/ house of/ David
Psalms 33:3Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy!
Psalms 40:3He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh.
Psalms 42:8Yahweh will command his loving kindness in the daytime. In the night his song shall be with me: a prayer to the God of my life.
Psalms 45:0to the/ choirmaster on Shoshannim of/ the sons of Korah a poem a song of loves
Psalms 46:0to the/ choirmaster of/ the sons of Korah on alamoth a song
Psalms 48:0a song a psalm of/ the sons of Korah
Psalms 65:0to the/ choirmaster a psalm of/ David a song
Psalms 66:0to the/ choirmaster a song a psalm
Psalms 67:0to the/ choirmaster with/ stringed instruments a psalm a song
Psalms 68:0to the/ choirmaster of/ David a psalm a song
Psalms 69:30I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Psalms 75:0to the/ choirmaster al- tashcheth a psalm of/ Asaph a song
Psalms 76:0to the/ choirmaster with/ stringed instruments a psalm of/ Asaph a song
Psalms 83:0a song a psalm of/ Asaph
Psalms 87:0of/ the sons of Korah a psalm a song
Psalms 88:0a song a psalm of/ the sons of Korah to the/ choirmaster on Machalath to/ sing a poem of/ Heman the/ Ezrachite
Psalms 92:0a psalm a song for/ the day of the/ sabbath
Psalms 96:1Sing to Yahweh a new song! Sing to Yahweh, all the earth.
Psalms 98:1Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
Psalms 108:0a song a psalm of/ David
Psalms 120:0the song of the/ ascents
Psalms 121:0a song of the/ ascents
Psalms 122:0the song of the/ ascents of/ David
Psalms 123:0the song of the/ ascents
Psalms 124:0the song of the/ ascents of/ David
Psalms 125:0the song of the/ ascents
Psalms 126:0the song of the/ ascents
Psalms 127:0the song of the/ ascents of/ Solomon
Psalms 128:0the song of the/ ascents
Psalms 129:0the song of the/ ascents
Psalms 130:0the song of the/ ascents
Psalms 131:0the song of the/ ascents of/ David
Psalms 132:0the song of the/ ascents
Psalms 133:0the song of the/ ascents of/ David
Psalms 134:0the song of the/ ascents
Psalms 137:3For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
Psalms 137:3For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
Psalms 137:4How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?
Psalms 144:9I will sing a new song to you, God. On a ten-stringed lyre, I will sing praises to you.
Psalms 149:1Praise Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.