These are two different musical instruments. The timbrel is similar to
the modern tambourine. The psaltery is a stringed instrument that is
an ancestor of the zither.
"The Timbrel... is a percussion instrument which does have bells,
rings, or metal discs attached to make a jingling noise when shaken or
tapped with the hand. From the Hebrew root word toph (or tof), the
timbrel first appears in scripture in Exodus 15 (about 1490 BC),
confirming that it, too, dates back to very ancient times. The
timbrel, like the tabret, had ribbons, tassels, or streamers attached
for decoration. Some ancient timbrels appear to have had a single drum
head, like the tabret, and some appear as a frame only. In either
case, including jingles and streamers makes it a timbrel.
As with the tabret, timbrels were used primarially by women,
especially maidens and young girls. The timbrel was the instrument
used by Miriam and the other women to celebrate the Lord's deliverance
after the parting of the Red Sea and destruction of the Egyptian army
(Ex 15:20 KJV). Jephthah's daughter is shown using the timbrel and
dance to celebrate his victory (Judges 11:34 KJV). David and all
Israel played before God 'with singing...harps...psalteries, and with
timbrels..' (1 Chr 13:8 KJV). Several scriptures in Psalms refer to
using the timbrel in dance, as well as for praise and worship."
Tabrets, Timbrels, Tambourines
http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/mill8678/mycustompage0015.htm
"The psaltery (psalterion, saltere, sauterie, Psalterium, Psalter,
salterio) is an ancient intstrument seen in many forms. Early versions
were simply a wooden board with gut strings stretched between pegs.
The strings were plucked with fingers or by plectra (the name might
have derived from the Greek psallein meaning plucked with fingers).
Later instruments included the hollow box or soundboard with
soundholes and metal strings. The player performed with the instrument
on the lap or on a table, or in front of the chest held with a strap
around his neck if movement was needed.
The name of psaltery entered Christian literature in the 3rd century
B.C. translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint where, in
the Psalms, nebel was translated psalterion."
Musica Antiqua: The Psaltery
http://www.s-hamilton.k12.ia.us/antiqua/psaltery.htm
From an interesting list of musical instruments of the Hebrews:
"The psaltery, the name of various large instruments of the harp
kind... The timbrel, a form of tambourine, a narrow hoop covered with
a tightened skin, and struck with the hand on the Egyptian monuments
are three kinds --the circular, the square, and another formed by two
squares separated by a bar."
Smith's Bible Dictionary (Musical instruments of the Hebrews)
http://www.reference-guides.com/smiths_bible_dictionary/Musical_instruments_of_the_Hebrews/
Google search strategy:
Google Web Search: timbrel
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=timbrel
Google Web Search: psaltery
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=psaltery
I hope this is helpful. If anything is unclear or incomplete, please
request clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance before
you rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |