THE LYRE OF MEGIDDO, Psalm 23 in Hebrew

Seven years ago, I built a small lyre based on a 1200 BCE artifact that had been excavated in the ruins of the ancient city of Har Megiddo (aka “Armageddon”) in northern Israel. Once the instrument was completed, I posted a video of it to YouTube and within a couple of weeks I received a request from THE MUSEUM OF MAKING MUSIC in Carlsbad, California, to allow them to have the instrument on temporary loan for a display they were planning.

I packed up the lyre, sent it to the museum, and more or less forgot about it. A few weeks ago, the lyre was returned to me by the museum. It was just like receiving a brand new instrument, and I decided to do something new with it.

The original artifact on which the lyre was based is roughly contemporary with King David, and it is safe to assume that David played a lyre (which the Old Testament calls a “kinnor” in Hebrew) that was similar to the Canaanite “lyre of Megiddo”. According to tradition, of the 150 psalms in the Old Testament BOOK OF PSALMS, 73 are said to have been written by David himself. Of these, Psalm 23 is one of the most loved.

No one has any idea what the psalms might have sounded like sung by David but we do know he was a singer and an instrumentalist. No music has survived, and the texts were not written down until several hundred years after David’s death. I can make no claims to authenticity in this rendition, since we do not even know how David tuned his lyre. For this video, I have tuned to an F minor harmonic scale, and I sang in a gentle, lyric, style, which seems appropriate for the content. All I can say for sure is that it would have been possible for David to play this on his 10-string “kinnor”.

The MUSEUM OF MAKING MUSIC has been recently renovated and for anyone interested in music who happens to be in the Carlsbad, California, area it is well worth a visit.

When I built the lyre in the video above, I put together a webpage (URL below) showing how it was created after the original artifact.

[LeSiZmOr]

And this 62 year old man is weeping like a baby. Beautiful. Praise God!!

[SeaMonkey]

I learned Psalm 23 by memory. Most people just hear the prayer at a funeral, not realizing that it’s packed with promises and hope. I wanted to learn it because we are currently walking in the valley with the state the world is in but the Almighty is with us. I woke up with the urgency of reading Psalm 91 but hearing it in its original words. Thank you it is beautiful and will listen through out the day. I got chills up my arms!

[philipcook]

Tear to mine eyes. How my soul longs for Him. Thank you. God bless you and shine His face upon you. Amen.

[ibtaba]

This should be recognized as a historical resource.

[ohanailo]

The image of, David under the shade, of a tree with the little lambs, and the sheep laying down around him, resting by him. As he sings to, "Holy God Almighty" in praise and worship comes to mind in the fields.

[RooniP]

Praise the LORD for gifting this man with such a beautiful voice and talent to play the harp thingy...God is truly amazing!!

[ChaseBlackmoon]

I know he smiled at the end, but I'm here crying my eyes out, I needed to find this version of this song, it helps me with my grief.

[kathydunn]

This is beautiful❤To just hear what it may have sounded like in David’s palace, late at night. Brings the Psalms to life. Love these treasures.❤

[merran]

Here's a transliteration if you want to sing along :)
Adonai ro-i, lo ehsar.
Bin'ot deshe yarbitseini,
Al mei m'nuhot y'nahaleini,
Naf'shi y'shovev,
Yan'heini b'ma'aglei tsedek,
L'ma'an sh'mo.
Gam ki eilech
B'gei tsalmavet,
Lo ira ra,
Ki Atah imadi.
Shiv't'cha umishan'techa
Hemah y'nahamuni.
Ta'aroch l'fanai shulchan
Neged tsor'rai
Dishanta vashemen roshi
Cosi r'vayah.
Ach tov vahesed
Yird'funi kol y'mei hayai
V'shav'ti b'veit Adonai
L'orech yamim.

[sarahsmileseriously]

Phenomenal… thank you Jesus for loving a wretch like me. God has declared the end from the beginning.

[dalemcelvy]

To all who listens to this may they be blessed and highly favored Thank you LORD PLEASE BRING REVIVAL 😇

[Megalepozy]

I'm used to get wow from you Peter but as a native Hebrew speaker... WOW that was amazing!

[a.deewai]

Thank You, Lord 💞. Every time I run into this psalm in my mind. A few days ago it strengethend me with the Fire of The Holy Spirit 💖💯. And now to bring it to my attention again, even through music and in Hebrew... Thou DOES restore my Spirit. Glory for Your Mercy and Goodness. Thank You, Abba, Father 💕🛐. Amen.
Sincerely,

[ADogNamedStay]

Damn, this song hits when you put it into historical context.

The Hebrews were in between official ruling bodies

[MrStuv]

I sit in a balcony that watches the actual area where this was written, sang, and played.
This takes me a thousand years back and makes me think; It is fascinating how we, in Israel, maintain the Hebrew language that well, practice the scriptures on a daily basis plus or minus, and yet, it is so unfortunate that our brothers and sisters abroad cannot experience, enjoy, and appreciate the scripture as it is written, in all of its glory and sophistication.
I wish the Hebrew language was more popular abroad, for that reason alone.
I hope for better days for this world.
Love and peace from Judea and Samaria, Israel.

[wormswithteeth]

This is the secret chord which pleased the lord.

[BrotherAnderson]

This is like a Revival of the hebrew psalms, it took me to a beautiful place. We need more of this. Our Lord and King Jesus reigns forever 🙏🏽

[Akkordeondirigent]

You are a musician in the purest, most honest, deepest, most meaningful way possible. Just increadible.

[f.rugnao]

This man is one of the most talented artists of modern time. Such an old ancient soul. I wish I could meet him personally.

[DDickinson]

The smile at the end when he knows he nailed that little shred part.