kithara is a stringed instrument heard in playing, held by worshipers, and used as a comparison for a heavenly sound.

The occurrences depict a stringed instrument: it is played to produce distinguishable sounds, held by figures in visionary scenes, and used to compare a heavenly voice with the sound of players on such instruments.

1. Stringed instrument in playing and visionary scenes · dominant

   In 1 Corinthians 14:7, the nominative singular form occurs among lifeless things giving a voice; the APB renders the clause with an instrument whose played sounds must be distinguishable. In Revelation 14:2, Revelation 15:2, and Revelation 5:8, plural or singular forms occur with players or holders in visionary scenes; the APB renders them as instruments being played or held.

   1 Corinthians 14:7Revelation 14:2Revelation 15:2Revelation 5:8

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB consistently presents the term as “harp” or “harps,” including instruments played by harpists, held by victors, and held by the elders. These renderings confirm the verse-level presentation rather than isolate every lexical detail.