Psalm 68:25
New International Version
In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the young women playing the timbrels.

New Living Translation
Singers are in front, musicians behind; between them are young women playing tambourines.

English Standard Version
the singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines:

Berean Standard Bible
The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines.

King James Bible
The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

New King James Version
The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; Among them were the maidens playing timbrels.

New American Standard Bible
The singers went on, the musicians after them, In the midst of the young women beating tambourines.

NASB 1995
The singers went on, the musicians after them, In the midst of the maidens beating tambourines.

NASB 1977
The singers went on, the musicians after them, In the midst of the maidens beating tambourines.

Legacy Standard Bible
The singers went on, the musicians after them, In the midst of the maidens beating tambourines.

Amplified Bible
The singers go in front, the players of instruments last; Between them the maidens playing on tambourines.

Christian Standard Bible
Singers lead the way, with musicians following; among them are young women playing tambourines.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Singers lead the way, with musicians following; among them are young women playing tambourines.

American Standard Version
The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, In the midst of the damsels playing with timbrels.

Contemporary English Version
Singers come first, and then the musicians, surrounded by young women playing tambourines.

English Revised Version
The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, in the midst of the damsels playing with timbrels.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The singers are in front. The musicians are behind them. The young women beating tambourines are between them.

Good News Translation
The singers are in front, the musicians are behind, in between are the young women beating the tambourines.

International Standard Version
The singers are in front, the musicians follow, strumming their stringed instruments among the maidens who are playing their tambourines.

Majority Standard Bible
The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines.

NET Bible
Singers walk in front; musicians follow playing their stringed instruments, in the midst of young women playing tambourines.

New Heart English Bible
The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, in the midst of the ladies playing with tambourines,

Webster's Bible Translation
The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

World English Bible
The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, among the ladies playing with tambourines,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Singers have been before, "" Behind [are] players on instruments, "" Virgins playing with timbrels in the midst.

Young's Literal Translation
Singers have been before, Behind are players on instruments, In the midst virgins playing with timbrels.

Smith's Literal Translation
The chiefs went before, they playing on instruments, after; in the midst, girls beating the tabret.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Princes went before joined with singers, in the midst of young damsels playing on timbrels.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The leaders went ahead, united with the singers of psalms, in the midst of girls playing on timbrels.

New American Bible
The singers go first, the harpists follow; in their midst girls sound the timbrels.

New Revised Standard Version
the singers in front, the musicians last, between them girls playing tambourines:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The princes went before, the singers followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Princes went before; after were the singers among the young girls striking on tambourines.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The singers go before, the minstrels follow after, In the midst of damsels playing upon timbrels.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The princes went first, next before the players on instruments, in the midst of damsels playing on timbrels.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Enemies Are Scattered
24They have seen Your procession, O God—the march of my God and King into the sanctuary. 25The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines. 26Bless God in the great congregation; bless the LORD from the fountain of Israel.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 6:5
David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.

1 Chronicles 13:8
David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

1 Chronicles 15:16
David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals.

1 Chronicles 15:27-28
Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. / So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and with cymbals and the music of harps and lyres.

1 Chronicles 16:42
Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for the songs of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

2 Chronicles 5:12-13
all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. / The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud

2 Chronicles 29:25-28
Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets. / The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. / And Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be sacrificed on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD and the trumpets began as well, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. ...

Nehemiah 12:27
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from all their homes and brought to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing, accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres.

Nehemiah 12:31
Then I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and I appointed two great thanksgiving choirs. One was to proceed along the top of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate.

Isaiah 30:29
You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your heart will rejoice like one who walks to the music of a flute, going up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.

Isaiah 35:10
So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

Jeremiah 31:12-13
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish. / Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow.

Exodus 15:20-21
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. / And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.”

Judges 11:34
And when Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! She was his only child; he had no son or daughter besides her.

1 Samuel 18:6
As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments.


Treasury of Scripture

The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with tambourines.

the players

Psalm 87:7
As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

Psalm 150:3-5
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp…

Revelation 14:2,3
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: …

among

Psalm 148:12,13
Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: …

Exodus 15:20
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

Judges 11:34
And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.

Jump to Previous
Beating Brass Damsels Follow Followed Front Girls Instruments Ladies Maidens Makers Midst Minstrels Music Musicians Players Playing Singers Songs Tabrets Tambourines Timbrels Virgins Young
Jump to Next
Beating Brass Damsels Follow Followed Front Girls Instruments Ladies Maidens Makers Midst Minstrels Music Musicians Players Playing Singers Songs Tabrets Tambourines Timbrels Virgins Young
Psalm 68
1. A prayer at the removing of the ark
4. An exhortation to praise God for his mercies
7. for his care of the church
19. for his great works














The singers lead the way
This phrase highlights the prominent role of singers in the worship and procession. In Hebrew, the word for "singers" is "שָׁרִים" (sharim), which denotes those who sing praises to God. Historically, singers were often Levites, set apart for temple service, emphasizing the importance of music in worship. The act of leading signifies guidance and setting the tone for worship, reflecting the spiritual leadership that music provides in drawing people closer to God.

the musicians follow after
The term "musicians" in Hebrew is "נַגְּנִים" (naggenim), referring to those who play instruments. This phrase suggests a harmonious procession where musicians support and enhance the singers' leading. The historical context of temple worship involved a variety of instruments, as seen in 1 Chronicles 15:16, where David appointed Levites to play "harps, lyres, and cymbals." This collaboration between singers and musicians symbolizes unity and the collective effort in worship, illustrating how each role complements the other in glorifying God.

among the maidens playing tambourines
The "maidens" or "עֲלָמוֹת" (alamot) in Hebrew, often refers to young women, possibly indicating their purity and joy in worship. The tambourine, or "תֹּף" (tof), is a percussion instrument associated with celebration and victory, as seen in Exodus 15:20 when Miriam led the women with tambourines after crossing the Red Sea. This imagery of maidens playing tambourines conveys a sense of joy and festivity, highlighting the inclusive nature of worship where all, regardless of age or gender, participate in the celebration of God's triumphs and blessings.

(25) Players--i.e., harpers.

Playing with timbrels.--Or, beating the tambourine. For this instrument (Heb., toph) see Exodus 15:20, and comp. Judges 11:34.

Verse 25. - The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after (comp. 2 Samuel 6:15; 1 Chronicles 15:16-28). In Assyrian musical processions the players on instruments precede the singers ('Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 1, p. 542). Among them were the damsels playing with timbrels; rather, in the midst of the damsels, etc. The damsels are represented, not as intermixed with the (male) singers and players on instruments, but as encircling them. (On the use of "timbrels" (tambourines) by Israelite maidens, see Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The singers
שָׁ֭רִים (rîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7891: To sing

lead the way,
קִדְּמ֣וּ (qid·də·mū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6923: To project, precede, to anticipate, hasten, meet

the musicians
נֹגְנִ֑ים (nō·ḡə·nîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5059: To touch or play a stringed instrument

[follow] after,
אַחַ֣ר (’a·ḥar)
Adverb
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

among
בְּת֥וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the maidens
עֲ֝לָמ֗וֹת (‘ă·lā·mō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5959: A young woman, a virgin

playing tambourines.
תּוֹפֵפֽוֹת׃ (tō·w·p̄ê·p̄ō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 8608: To drum, play, on the tambourine


Links
Psalm 68:25 NIV
Psalm 68:25 NLT
Psalm 68:25 ESV
Psalm 68:25 NASB
Psalm 68:25 KJV

Psalm 68:25 BibleApps.com
Psalm 68:25 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 68:25 Chinese Bible
Psalm 68:25 French Bible
Psalm 68:25 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Psalm 68:25 The singers went before the minstrels followed (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 68:24
Top of Page
Top of Page