23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
23 I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me?
23 Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.
23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
13 Don't prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king's sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom."
13 but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom."
13 Hang out there. Do your preaching there. But no more preaching at Bethel! Don't show your face here again. This is the king's chapel. This is a royal shrine."
13 But never again prophesy at Bethel, For it is the king's sanctuary, And it is the royal residence."
13 Don't bother us with your prophecies here in Bethel. This is the king's sanctuary and the national place of worship!"
(Read Amos 7:10-17)
It is no new thing for the accusers of the brethren, to misrepresent them as enemies to the king and kingdom, as traitors to their prince, and troublers of the land, when they are the best friends to both. Those who make gain their godliness, and are governed by the hopes of wealth and preferment, are ready to think these the most powerful motives with others also. But those who have a warrant from God, like Amos, ought not to fear the face of man. If God, that sent him, had not strengthened him, he could not thus have set his face as a flint. The Lord often chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to confound the wise and mighty. But no fervent prayers, or self-denying labours, can bring proud sinners to bear faithful reproofs and warnings. And all who oppose or despise the Divine word, must expect fatal effects to their souls, unless they repent.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Amos 5:23
Commentary on Amos 5:18-27
(Read Amos 5:18-27)
Woe unto those that desire the day of the Lord's judgments, that wish for times of war and confusion; as some who long for changes, hoping to rise upon the ruins of their country! but this should be so great a desolation, that nobody could gain by it. The day of the Lord will be a dark, dismal, gloomy day to all impenitent sinners. When God makes a day dark, all the world cannot make it light. Those who are not reformed by the judgments of God, will be pursued by them; if they escape one, another stands ready to seize them. A pretence of piety is double iniquity, and so it will be found. The people of Israel copied the crimes of their forefathers. The law of worshipping the Lord our God, is, Him only we must serve. Professors thrive so little, because they have little or no communion with God in their duties. They were led captive by Satan into idolatry, therefore God caused them to go into captivity among idolaters.