Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 81:2

"Raise a song, and bring hither the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the psaltery." — Psalms 81:2 (ASV)

Take a psalm. —Rather, Strike up a tune (with voice and harp) .

Bring here the timbrel. —Literally, Give a timbrel (or, drum) , which evidently means “sound the timbrel,” and may, perhaps, be explained by a phrase sometimes found in Hebrew—“Give a voice,” i.e., speak. Such phrases as “Let them have the drum,” “Give them the drum,” may illustrate the expression. (For the instrument, tôph, see Exodus 15:20, and consult Bible Educator, 2:214 and following pages.)

Harp ... psaltery. —See Note, Psalms 33:2.