The following valuable paper is part of an article from The Present Testimony, vol. 1, and which appeared many years ago. We trust this public acknowledgment of the source from whence it is taken will be accepted by the publishers and proprietor of The Testimony:-
1. Aijeleth-Shahar. (Psa. 22 title.)
The marginal reading for Aijeleth-Shahar, given by the translators is, "hind of the morning."
Query? Was this the name of an instrument; or of a tune to which the Psalm was to be sung; or was it rather a name given to the Psalm on account of its subject?
2. Alamoth occurs in 1 Chron. 15:2020And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth; (1 Chronicles 15:20), "with psalteries on Alamoth;" Psa. 469The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted. (Psalm 47:9) title, "A song upon Alamoth."
The same word Alamoth (which is only the plural of the word commonly used for Virgin, as Isa. 7:1414Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14), "a virgin shall conceive," etc.), is, however, found, Psa. 68:2525The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels. (Psalm 68:25), "the damsels playing," etc. Sol. 1:33Because of the savor of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. (Song of Solomon 1:3), "The virgins love thee;" Sol. 6:88There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number. (Song of Solomon 6:8), "Virgins without number."
"For the Virgins" (i.e. virgin voices) makes good sense, and accords with modern singing: as we say, "for boys' voices." It may, however, be the name of an instrument, or of a tune.
3. Al-taschith occurs in the titles of Psa. 57; 58; 59, and 75.
Al means not, and Taschith, destroy, as the translator's margin reads "Destroy not."
Observation must decide whether this was connected with the subject of the Psalms, or whether it was the name of a tune.
4. Degrees. Though Anglicized songs of Degrees in Psa. 120-134, a few words may not be amiss, inasmuch as "Degrees" is nearly as unintelligible to some as would Mangaloth be.
The same word is used in Ex. 20:2626Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon. (Exodus 20:26), for the steps of an altar, as in 1 Kings 10:1919The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. (1 Kings 10:19), of a throne; 2 Kings 9:1313Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king. (2 Kings 9:13), the stairs, and 2 Kings 20:99And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? (2 Kings 20:9), the degrees of a sun-dial; 1 Chron. 17:1717And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O Lord God. (1 Chronicles 17:17), a man of high degree; Ezra 7:99For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. (Ezra 7:9), for a journey, "began to go up;' Ezek, 11:5, the things which come into your mind;" Amos 9:66It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his name. (Amos 9:6), "he that buildeth his stories in the heaven” (marg. ascensions or spheres). The word from which it is derived means, simply, to go up—ascend.
Luthers renders it, “in the higher choir," higher, either as to position in which placed, or, perhaps, tone of voice.
Some have supposed these songs were sung on the steps of the temple: so the LXX, and Vulgate.
To my own mind, there is an eternal evidence in them, of their being written, in grace, for the times when, thrice in the year, the males were to go up from their homes and appear before the Lord. A few of them may also have reference to such goings up as Ezra's from captivity.
5. Gittith. Psa. 8, 81, and 84.
The word Gath, winepress, is by most connected with this word, as the inhabitants of Gath were called Gittites.
Whether the vat; or Gath, the town, or an instrument of the name; or a tune is referred to; Query?
Some one suggests that they are all joyous songs, suited to be sung on such an occasion as a harvest-home, or a vintage.
6. Higgaion. Thus once rendered in Psa. 9:1616The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. (Psalm 9:16). It occurs in three other places:-"and the meditation of my heart," Psa. 19:1414Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14); "harp with a solemn-sound," Psa. 92:33Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. (Psalm 92:3); "and their device against me," Lam. 3:6262The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day. (Lamentations 3:62).
The humming sound of a harp struck, is supposed to correspond to the indistinct thoughts of musing; or the device against one who is hated; for the device, in this case, tells, but indistinctly the hatred within.
I do not see why meditation, or solemn-sound or device might not have been put for Higgaion, and the verse anglicized with the addition of some words in italics, as (this was their) meditation, or device, or a solemn-sound, (this).
7. Jonath-Elem-Rechokim is only found Psa. 56 title.
Jonah means dove, as in Gen. 8:8, 9, 10, 11, 128Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; 9But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. 10And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; 11And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. 12And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more. (Genesis 8:8‑12); or pigeon, as in Lev. 1:1414And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the Lord be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons. (Leviticus 1:14), etc.
Elem means bound; the verb is frequently used to mark silence; as, I was dumb, Psa. 39:3, 103My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, (Psalm 39:3)
10Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. (Psalm 39:10): but it is applicable to any binding: as Gen. 37:77For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. (Genesis 37:7), binding sheaves.
The word Elem only occurs here, where it is commonly said to mean silence, and in Psa. 58:11<<To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David.>> Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? (Psalm 58:1), where it is rendered "Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation?" (i.e., mass of persons bound together).
Rechokim, in Hebrew, is a distinct word from Elem; though in English, sometimes printed as one with it; it is a participle of the verb translated (Psa. 22:1111Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. (Psalm 22:11)), "Be not far from me;" see also Psa. 5:19, and Psa. 35:2222This thou hast seen, O Lord: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. (Psalm 35:22), and Psa. 38:2121Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. (Psalm 38:21), and Psa. 71:1212O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. (Psalm 71:12), and Psa. 109:1717As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. (Psalm 109:17), etc.
" The dove of silence (among) strangers" is a common literal.
The dove of—that which is bound—persons afar off—are its three representative terms in English.—Compare the Psalm itself.
8. Leannoth. see Mahalath
9. Mahalath occurs alone Psa. 53
The dictionary says, "meaning uncertain." Why not, as others, sickness, or disease taking it as the common noun of the verb (Gen. 48:11And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. (Genesis 48:1)). "thy father is sick;" Psa. 35:1313But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. (Psalm 35:13), "when they were sick," etc.
The 53rd Psalm is striking, concerning the diseased state of the nation, and its importance as a Psalm is seen in its being given a second time in the book, but slightly altered (see Psa. 14.)
The word Mahalath also occurs with Leannoth, after it Psa. 88, which may be the plural of the word rendered Wormwood, Deut. 29:1818Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; (Deuteronomy 29:18); Prov. 5:44But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. (Proverbs 5:4); Jer. 9:15; 23:1515Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. (Jeremiah 9:15)
15Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. (Jeremiah 23:15), etc.; and Hemlock, Amos 6:1212Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock: (Amos 6:12)—unless Leannoth be a proper name, concerning the sickness of Leannoth; concerning the disease of wormwood (i.e. the deadly, bitter disease), which would suit the Psalm.
The LXX. divided Leannoth into le the preposition to, and sing, respond to; and consider Mahalath either a proper name, of a tune, or instrument to sing on, or to Mahalath. I prefer the other.
10. Maschil. Translated in margin, "or giving instruction."
There are thirteen of these Psalms, viz:- 32, 42, 44, 45, 52, 53, 54, 55, 74, 78, 88, 89, 142.
As the translators have given a rendering here, I say no more than, that their side readings (as found in King James' bible) are as authoritative as their text, and of far more value than modern "lit," which are often worse than nonsense. As a whole, their translation is as wonderful as is the mercy which God has shown to this land, in connection with it, as above that of other lands.
11. The Michtam Psalms are 16, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60.
12. Muth-labben. Psa. 9 title.
La, for the; ben, son. "Concerning death for the Son."
The LXX. concerning the secret things of the Son.
13. Neginah, of which Neginoth is the plural.'
Job 30:99And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword. (Job 30:9), "I am their song;" Psa. 69:12; 77:612They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards. (Psalm 69:12)
6I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. (Psalm 77:6), song; so Isa. 38:2020The Lord was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the Lord. (Isaiah 38:20); and Lam. 3:14: 5:14, music; Hab. 3:1919The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. (Habakkuk 3:19), "on my stringed instruments" (margin, neginoth) shows the meaning plainly enough. The verb is to strike the strings. Neginah occurs on Psa. 6111God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. (Psalm 62:11) title; Neginoth, Psa. 411But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. (Psalm 5:11), 6, 54, 55, 67, 76. Upon the stringed instrument, or upon the stringed instruments.
14. Nehiloth. Psa. 5
The pipes, or flutes, as commonly derived from the verb, to pierce.
15. Selah occurs seventy times in the Psalms, and three times in Habakkuk.
All sorts of tortures have been inflicted on this word, to make it speak. Some take its three consonants as the first letters of three words, and render it as equivalent to our da cape, in music: let the musician return. But this is very unlike old Hebrew.
Gesenius says it is Silence, supposing it equivalent to the words, at rest, Dan. 4:44I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: (Daniel 4:4); as if Shelah and Selah were the same. Though I desire to read with shoes off my feet (for the place is holy, and I dread conjectures), it might, according to kindred words, mean raising. And so silence, as the result of one's rising from singing; for the idea of weighing is found in Lam. 4:22The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! (Lamentations 4:2); in a good sense comparable to gold: and also, in a bad sense, Psa. 119:118118Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. (Psalm 119:118), trodden down.
I observe that Selah is put often where a pause is natural, as after some peculiar statement: and thus, practically, I feel that it is pause, or silence, with Gesenius. More I cannot say.
The translator's margin gives, on the eighth. It is the common ordinal adjective for eight, and refers to strings of instruments.
Some render it Octave, as denoting that it is to be played an octave lower than it is written; so, I think, Gesenius. I prefer the margin.
Observe that in 1 Chron. 20:21, Alamoth and Sheminith are in contra-position.
Variable songs—songs with variations. But I prefer either of the former.
The word for upon, may just as well be rendered concerning to, etc.
The dove dumb (among) strangers
Eight-stringed instrument