Overview
The sackbut was a stringed instrument of ancient Babylon, likely similar to a lyre or harp. It appears exclusively in Daniel 3, where King Nebuchadnezzar commanded all people to worship a golden image when the sackbut and other instruments sounded together.
Key Scriptures
"As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and other musical instruments, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up" (Daniel 3:5, NIV). When the music played, "all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the golden image" (Daniel 3:7, NIV). Yet Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused, declaring, "We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter" (Daniel 3:16, NIV).
Application
Like those three faithful men, believers today must not compromise their worship of God, regardless of cultural or social pressure to conform to worldly demands.