The noise of thy songs. Their psalms and hymns of praise were mere noise in God's ear, and wearied him ( Isaiah 1:14 ; Isaiah 24:8 ; Ezekiel 26:13 ). Viols ( Amos 6:5 ); ὀργάνων . The nebel, usually translated "psaltery," was a kind of harp. Josephus ('Ant.,' 7.12. 3) describes it as having twelve strings, played by the fingers. Music, both instrumental and vocal, was used in the temple worship (see 1 Chronicles 16:42 ; 1 Chronicles 23:5 ; and 25.). read more
But let judgment run down as waters; let judgment roll on ; Septuagint, καὶ κυλισθήσεται ὡς ὕδωρ κρίμα , "and judgment shall roll along as water." Et revelabitur quasi aqua judicium (Vulgate). This verse has been explained in different ways. Hitzig, Keil, with many ancient commentators, find in it a threat of chastisement, "the flooding of the land with judgment and the punitive righteousness of God." Pusey, Professor Gandell, and others consider it to be a call to amendment.... read more
Real calamity waiting upon unreal service. "The meaning of this verse is not, 'Let justice and righteousness take the place of your sacrifices.'… The verse threatens the flooding of the land with judgment and the punitive righteousness of God" (Keil). Adopting this interpretation, we observe— I. THAT WHICH IS REJECTED " IS NIGH UNTO CURSING ." Hollow service has been sitting for its portrait, and the picture is striking. Now we have the Divine appraisement revealed in... read more
The river of righteousness. Whilst the holy King and Judge rejects the mere service of the lip and of the hand, when unaccompanied by genuine piety, he desires above all things the prevalence of those practical principles of rectitude which are the secret, hidden power of an upright and acceptable life. In a very bold and beautiful metaphor the Divine wish and pleasure are declared. Let the hypocritical festivals, the unmeaning sacrifices, the hollow songs, be swept away, and let the... read more
Take thou away from Me - Literally, “from upon Me,” that is, from being a burden to Me, a weight on Me. So God says by Isaiah, “your new moons and your appointed feasts My soul hateth; they are a burden upon Me; I am weary to bear them” Isaiah 1:14. Their “songs” and hymns were but a confused, tumultuous, “noise,” since they had not the harmony of love.For - (And) the melody of thy viols I will not hear - Yet the “nebel,” probably a sort of harp, was almost exclusively consecrated to the... read more
But - (And) let judgment run down (Literally, “roll” English margin) “like water.” The duties of either table include both; since there is no true love for man without the love of God, nor any real love or duty to God without the love of man. People will exchange their sins for other sins. They will not break them off unless they be converted to God. But the first outward step in conversion, is to break off sin. He bids them then “let judgment,” which had hitherto ever been perverted in its... read more
Amos 5:21-24. I hate and despise your feast-days This and the three following verses are the same in sense with Isaiah 1:11-16, and the other texts referred to in the margin, on which the reader is desired to consult the notes. They all show of how little signification the external rites of religion are, unless they be accompanied with living faith in, and sincere love to God, and a universal obedience to his will; or without holiness of heart and life. Take away from me the noise of thy... read more
The day of the Lord (5:16-27)God’s terrible judgment will result in grief and mourning throughout the nation, in city and country areas alike (16-17). This intervention of God in judgment is commonly called the day of the Lord. Israelites thought that this day would be one of victory and rejoicing for them because their enemies would be destroyed. Amos tells them that when God acts in judgment, he will act against all the wicked, and Israel will be the first to suffer. There will be no way of... read more
rundown = roll on. Reference to Gilgal mighty = inexhaustible. stream. Hebrew. nahal = a wady, or intermittent stream; not nahar, a constant-flowing river. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 5:21-24
The divinely abhorrer and the divinely demanded. "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies," etc. Notice - I. THE DIVINELY ABHORRENT . What is that? Mere ceremonial religion; empty ritual. "I hate, I despise your feast days, and 1 will not smell in your solemn assemblies," etc. "The same aversion from the ceremonial observances of the insincere and rebellious Israelites which Jehovah here expresses he afterwards employed Isaiah to declare... read more