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. Psalm 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 Chronicles 15:20,20And 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”; Psalm 46 title, “A song upon Alamoth.”
The same word Alamoth (which is only the plural of the word commonly used for Virgin, as Isaiah 7:14,14Therefore 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,”), is, however, found, Psalm 68:25,25The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels. (Psalm 68:25) “the damsels playing,” Song of {s 4672}Solomon 1:3,3Because 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”; Song of Solomon 6:8,8There 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 Psalms 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 Psalms 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 for the steps of an altar (Exodus 20:2626Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon. (Exodus 20:26)), steps of a throne (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)); the stairs (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 degrees of a sun-dial (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)); a man of high degree (1 Chronicles 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)); for a journey, “began to go up” (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)); the things which come into your mind (Ezekiel 11:55And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the Lord; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them. (Ezekiel 11:5)); he that buildeth his stories in the heaven (marg. ascensions or spheres) (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)). The word from which it is derived means, simply, to go up — ascend.
Luther 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. Psalms 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?
Someone suggests that they are all joyous songs, suited to be sung on such an occasion as a harvest-home, or a vintage.
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 in the title of Psalm 56.
Jonah means dove, as in Genesis 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 Leviticus 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).
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 Genesis 37:7,7For, 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 Psalm 58:1,1<<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 “Be not far from me” (Psa. 22:1111Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. (Psalm 22:11)); see also Psalms 22:19; 35:22; 38:21; 71:12; 109:1719But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. (Psalm 22:19)
22This thou hast seen, O Lord: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. (Psalm 35:22)
21Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. (Psalm 38:21)
12O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. (Psalm 71:12)
17As 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 translation.
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 Psalm 53.
The dictionary says, “meaning uncertain.” Why not, as others, sickness, or disease taking it as the common noun of the verb “thy father is sick” (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)); “when they were 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)).
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)), 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, namely: — 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. Psalm 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.
“I am their song” (Job 30:99And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword. (Job 30:9)), “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); 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); Lam. 3:1414I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day. (Lamentations 3:14)), “music” (Lam. 5:1414The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their music. (Lamentations 5:14)), “on my stringed instruments” (margin, neginoth) (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)), shows the meaning plainly enough. The verb is to strike the strings. Neginah occurs in Psalm 61 Title; Neginoth, Psalms 4, 6, 54, 55, 67, 76. Upon the stringed instrument, or upon the stringed instruments.
14. Nehiloth. Psalm 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 Lamentations 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.
Variable songs — songs with variations. But I prefer either of the former.
Shushan-Eduth (Psa. 40) is the same word nearly, it occurs only 1 Kings 7:19,19And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits. (1 Kings 7:19) lily. Eduth is the common word for the testimony, in Exodus, etc. The lily is supposed to refer to an instrument, from its shape: so, I think, Calmet. Others connect it with the name of a song.
The word for upon, may just as well be rendered concerning to, etc.
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Aijeleth-Shahar
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The hind of the morning
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Alamoth
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Virginals
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Al-Taschith
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Destroy not
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Degree
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To go up — ascend
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Gittith
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The wine-vat
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Higgaion
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Meditation
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Jonah-Elem-Rechokim
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The dove dumb (among) strangers
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Mahalath
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Disease
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Mahalath Leannoth
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Bitter disease
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Maschil
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To instruct
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Michtam
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Golden (psalm)
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Muth-Labben
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Neginah
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A stringed instrument
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Neginoth
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The stringed instruments
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Nehiloth
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The pipes
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Selah
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Pause
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Sheminith
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Eight-stringed instrument
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Shiggaion
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Wandering ode
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Shoshannim
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The lilies
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Shushan
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The lily
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Eduth
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— — — of the Testimony
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