This Is Appendix 65 From The Companion Bible.
From what is written, in the preceding Appendix (64), it will be seen that, though the words "Psalm-Titles" are used here in this Appendix in their ordinary traditional sense, our understanding of them must be seriously modified; all the words used in them, and explained below, occur in the sub-scription of the preceding Psalm, and belong to that Psalm. It is there we have placed them in The Companion Bible, and it is in those Psalms that we have to look for their elucidation and find the key to the meaning of the words.
Commentators who revered the Word of God have struggled to find some logical, spiritual, or mystical meaning in these "titles"; while modern critics do not seem able to rise beyond musical instruments and terminology, or "catch-words" of popular songs or tunes.
The Teaching, which is deep and grand beyond all conception, they fritter down to some commonplace reference; while the Text, which is clear, they mystify with their puerile guesses and vain imaginations.
We look for something more worthy of this work of the Holy Spirit of God; something more worthy indeed of the Bible, regarding it merely as a literary production. We look for something more dignified than a "tom-tom" and we shall find it.
The words used in these sub-scriptions (which no commentator of any repute regards as other than integral parts of Holy Writ, being numbered, and forming as they do the first verse of each Psalm in the Hebrew text, and actually quoted as Scripture in the New Testament) refer to momentous truths, and not to musical terms; to teaching, and not to tunes; to instruction, and not to instruments; to sense, and not to sound. They are for those who have a heart for music, and not merely an ear for music; they are for Enochs who walk with God, and not for Tubal-Cains who handle the harp and the organ. They pertain to the things of the Spirit, and not to "things made with hands".
We shall present these words and expressions in the spelling, and in the order in which the Bible reader will look for them in this Appendix, videlicet, in alphabetical order.
We may first note that thirty-four Psalms have no title at all, and are without super-scription or sub-scription: videlicet; Psalms 1, 2, 10, 33, 43, 71, 91, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 99, 104, 105, 106, 107, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 135, 136, 137, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150.
The words in the super-scriptions and sub-scriptions are as follows, and are given in the spelling of the Authorized Version to which English readers are accustomed.
This title, which in the versions has stood in the super-scription of Psalm 22, now finds its proper place and stands (in The Companion Bible) as the sub-scription to Psalm 21.
The meaning given both in Authorized Version and Revised Version is "the hind of the morning".
The Jewish commentators, Rashi (
The moment we regard it in the light of Psalm 21 instead of Psalm 22, a new field of inquiry presents itself.
The expression is a Figure of speech common in the East, and frequently met with in Arabian poetry.
It is used of the Day-Dawn, in which the beams of light from the rising sun are seen shooting up (like horns) above the horizon before the sun actually appears. It is used in Psalm 21 of the rays of Messiah's coming glory, and tells of the dawn of His approaching coronation which is the one great subject of Psalm 21. See Psalm 21 and the notes.
It is the same D
There is no dispute or question as to the meaning of these words: 'Al = relating to, or concerning, or connected with. 'Al has a wide range of meaning, and we may select the one which lends itself best to the context. As to 'Alamoth (fem. pl.), there is a consenus of opinion that it can mean only damsels or maidens. Almah occurs (in singular and plural) seven times in the Hebrew Old Testament, and is rendered "virgin" in Genesis 24:43. Song 1:3; 6:8.
Isaiah 7:14; "maid" in Exodus 2:8. Proverbs 30:19; and "damsel" in Psalm 68:25. The proper word for virgin is bethulah (Genesis 24:16, etc.), while
'almah denotes a young woman of marriageable age, still under the care or others. Every bethulah is an 'almah, but not every 'almah is, necessarily, a bethulah.2
In the plural, therefore, 'alamoth can mean only maidens. There is no need to think about music, or to restrict the use of the word here to "a maidens choir", standing, as it now must stand, as the sub-scription to Psalm 45, and not as the super-scription on Psalm 46. There is no connection between "maidens" and Psalm 46, but there are many points in the subject-matter of Psalm 45 which link it on to that Psalm. There are references to the "kings daughter", and "honourable women" (verse
There are special reasons, therefore, in the subject-matter of Psalm 45, which connect it with that Psalm; and make it very appropriate that, even if the Psalms were intended to be sung by maidens, such singing need not be connected with the Temple or its services. There was processional singing in the open air. And in
There are four Psalms which have this sub-scription, videlicet; 56, 57, 58, and 74 (not Psalms 57, 58, 59, and 75, which in all the versions have it as the super-scription).
The first three are David's the forth is by Asaph.
Two by David (56 and 57) are each connected with a crisis in his life, while the third belongs to a peculiar time of trouble.
There is no dispute as to the meaning of the word.
It is rendered by Authorized Version and Revised Version as "Destroy not". It is a cry of distress, a cry at a crisis. But the cry is found, in the Psalms to which we have placed it, as a sub-scription, and not in the others where it has formerly stood as a super-scription.
Such a cry has been made by Moses at a great crisis (Exodus 32:
For futher references to this sub-scription, compare Psalms 56:
David was a prophet (Acts 2:
(relating to the Autumn Feast of Tabernacles).
There are three Psalms which have this word in the sub-scription. They are 7, 80, 83 (not 8, 81, and 84, over which they have hithereto stood as the super-scription).
There is no doubt about Gittith meaning winepresses; from Gath (Judges 6:
There will be no longer need to be troubled with such guesses as "Gittite instruments" or "Gittite guards", or "Levites of Gath-rimmon", which are as meaningless as they are irrelevant. See further under Shoshannim (No. XX, below).
As this word occurs in the Text, see Appendix 66. I.
JEDUTHUN was one of the three directors (or the "chief Musicians") of the Temple worship (1 Chronicles 16:41, 42; 25:1 - 6; 2 Chronicles 5:12;
35:15). The three sons of Aaron were thus represented by the three men whose names occur in this category. JEDUTHUN was a descendent of MERARI (1 Chronicles 26:10); while ASAPH was a descendant of GERSHOM; and HEMAN of KOHATH .
J
Since he is associated with those two men, it is going out of one's way to create a difficulty by supposing Jeduthun to be "a musical instrument", or the "name of a tune" (Revised Version margin) or of a "measure".
There are three Psalms connected with J
In
By comparing these Psalms as set out in The Companion Bible, the confusion, caused by two of these Pslams appearing to have the names of two different authors, vanishes. The sub-scription of each Psalm now stands "To the chief Musician - Jeduthun.
The Dove in the distant Terebinths.
There is only one Psalm with this sub-scription, that is to say, Psalm 55 (not Psalm 56, over which it has hitherto stood in other Bibles and Versions as the super-scription or title).
There is a general agreement that this Title means "Relating to the dove in the distant terebinths (or oaks)".
David is the "dove". He is far away in the distant woods, moaning over the trouble that has come upon him through the rebellion of Absalom, recorded in 2 Samuel 15 - 19.
There is no reference to a dove in Psalm 56, but there is in Psalm 55:6. In verse 2 he says, "I mourn in my complaint, and moan" (Revised Version). In Isaiah 38:14, Hezekiah, in trouble equally great, says "I did moan as a dove" (the same words as in Psalm 55:17 (Revised Version). Compare Ezekiel 7:16, where we have it again). David speaks further concerning this moaning in Psalm 55:4 - 8; also in verses 16, 17. The desertion of Ahithophel at this crisis is alluded to in verses 12 - 14. All Psalms of, or "relating to David", refer to the true David; so we may compare David's desertion with Christ's betrayal, and the end of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23) with the end of Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:5 - 8. Acts 1:18, 19).
See number x, below.
(The great Dancing).
This word stands in The Companion Bible as the sub-scription of Psalm 52, and not in the super-scription or title of Psalm 53, as in all other Bibles and Versions.
The Septuagint translators could make nothing of the words (there being no vowel points); so they simply transliterated the word, spelling it maeleth, which has no meaning whatever. A
This rendering, which takes the Hebrew as being M
(The great Dancing and Shouting).
These words are found a the sub-scription to Psalm 87 in The Companion Bible (not as the super-scription or title to Psalm 88 over which it stands in all other Bibles and Versions).
M
We have only to read the Psalm in the light of 1 Samuel 6:
Understanding or Instruction (Public.)
This word is found in the super-scription proper of thirteen Psalms (32, 42, 44 45, 52, 53, 54, 55, 74, 78, 88, 89, 142).
Unlike the "Michtam" Psalms (which are all by David, see XII below), these are by various authors.
Six are by David (32, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 142).
Three are by the sons of Korah (42, 44, and 45).
Two are by Asaph (74 and 78).
One is by Heman the Ezrahite (88).
One is by Ethan the Ezrahite (89).
Maschil is from sakal, to look at, to scrutinise, to look well into anything (
The first of these Psalms (32) gives the basis of all true instruction and understanding. In verse
"I will instruct thee
And teach thee in the way thou shouldest go...
Be not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding".
Or Psalm 44:
The idea "to play skilfully"seems trivial in comparison with such "instruction as this.
(Engraven).
This word is found (in all Versions of the Bible) in the super-scription of six Psalms (16, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60). All are by David. The last five form a group by themselves.
See the Structure of "the Exodus Book" (or the Second Book) of Pslams (page 759), where, in Group F
The word Michtam is from Katam, to cut in, or engrave, as in Jeremiah 2:
The Septuagint renders it stelographia = a sculptured writing. Hence stele = a sepulchral monument, on account of the insription graven on it.
The word, therefore, points to a graven and therefore a permanent writing; graven on account of its importance (compare Job 19:
The Authorized Version and Revised Version derive the word from kethem gold, either from its being precious, or hidden away.
This meaning is not far out; but it lacks the raison d'etre for this importance, which the other derivation gives in connecting it with death and resurrection.
The Michtam Psalms are all pervaded by common characteristic of being Personal, Direct, and more or less Private.
The reference is to David's Son and David's Lord; and especially to His death and resurrection; or to a deliverance from imminent danger, or death, or even from the grave itself. See Psalms 16:
(The Death of the Champion).
This, in The Companion Bible, stands now as the sub-scription of Psalm 8, and not as the super-scription or title of Psalm 9, as in other Bibles and Versions. All are agreed that muth can mean only death. As to the other word labben, the matter is not so simple. For ben means son, but there is nothing about a "son" in either Psalm (8 or 9): and, as it must relate (like the other Titles) to subject-matter, and not to the name of a "song", or a "musical instrument", there must be another explanation of ben. Now ben may be beyn, written what is called "defective", that is to say, without the full sign for its vowel (which is very often found in Hebrew). In that case it would mean the separator, and thus be related to bayin = "between" which is the dual form of this word in the designation of Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:4, 23, "the man between [the two hosts" of Israel and the Philistines], or "the duellist". Hence, labben ("for the son") may be read labbeyn, "for the duellist" or "the champion", or "the one standing between". Indeed this is exactly how the words are given in the ancient Jewish commentary called the Targum: "To praise; relating to the death of the man who went between the camps". That is to say, the champion, as he is called in 1 Samuel 17:4, 23.3
Read in this light, Psalm 8 stands out with quite a new signification, seeing it relates to "the death of the champion", Goliath of Gath.
We may compare with this Psalm 144, which in the Septuagint version has this remarkalbe title, "by David, concerning Goliath": in verse
See "Neginoth", No XV below, of which it is the singular.
(Smitings).
This word, in The Companion Bible, stands in the sub-scriptions of eight Psalms, that is to say, 3, 5, 53, 54, 60 (singular), 66, 75, and Habakkuk 3. (Not in the super-scriptions of Psalms 4, 6, 54, 55, 61 (singular with 'al instead of Beth), 67, and 76).
"Neginoth" is from nagan, to strike, or smite. Hence it has hitherto been associated with the striking of the strings of some musical instruments! But why should the striking be connected with strings? Is there no other kind of smiting known? Why may it not refer to the stroke of affliction, or smiting with words? In deed, it is so associated in Lamentations 3:
(Inheritances, or The Great Inheritance).
This word is found in The Companion Bible in the sub-scription to Psalm 4 (not in the super-scription of Psalm 5 as in other Bibles and Versions).
The word is N
The Spetuagint has "concerning her that inherits". A
The same truth is seen in Psalm 144. See notes on verses
(Hebrew Mizmor).
This word is used in the super-scriptions forty-four times in all (Psalms 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 31, 38, 39, 40, 41, 47, 49, 50, 51, 62, 63, 64, 73, 77, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 98, 100, 101, 109, 110, 139, 140, 141, 143. Of these, twenty-one are in Book I, seven in Book II, seven in Book III, three in Book IV, and six in Book V.
Mizmor means, and is invariably rendered, "a Psalm", and occurs nowhere but in the Psalm-Titles. It differs from Shir (see below), which is "a Song": that is to say, for singing, whereas Mizmor may be for meditation, etc.
Mizmor is joined with Shir in thirteen Psalms (30, 65, 67, 68, 75, 76, 87, 92, preceeding it; and 48, 66, 83, 88, 108, following it).
See Appendix 66. II.
(The Eighth Division.)
This word occurs in the sub-scription of two Psalms (5 and 11 in The Companion Bible); not in the super-scription of Psalms 6 and 12, as in other Bibles and Versions.
There is a general agreement that it means "the eighth", and in its thirty-one occurrences it is always so rendered, except in
The Authorized Version puts "the eighth" in the margin in all three cases. Revised Verison puts "the eighth" only in the case of the two Psalms.
Though it is agreed that the word means "eighth", it is not agreed as to what "the eighth" refers to. It varies between "the eighth mode", "the eighth (or octave) below" (that is to say, the bass), "the eighth day", or year, or "an instrument with eight strings".
The latter is out of the question, because, in
But what class of men? The Talmud
As all others in the procession were, in this sense, Sheminith, and the Sheminith are distinguished from these as well as the 'Alamoth, Dr. Thirtle concludes that it must refer, as well, to a division in that procession. Everything points to divisional order in such processions (compare Exodus 25:
An examination of Psalms 5 and 11 show us that there is special emphasis on "righteous worshippers" as distinct from others. Compare 5:
(A crying aloud).
This word occurs in the super-scription of Psalm 7 and in the super-scription of the prayer in Habakkuk 3:1, where it is in its right place. The scope of the Psalm guides Dr. Thirtle to the choice of sha'ag, to cry aloud, in trouble, danger or pain, and to discard shagah, which means to wander, or go astray. There is nothing in the Psalm to agree with the latter, and everything that points to the loud cry of David when he was in danger of being torn in pieces, and to the loud cries (pl.) of Habakkuk: of pain in verse 16 and of praise in verse 18.
(Lilies, or The Spring Festival, Passover).
This word is found in the sub-scription of two Psalms, that is to say, 44 and 68, not in the super-scription of Psalms 45 and 69, as it stands in other Bibles and Versions.
We have already seen under "GITTITH" (No, IV. above) that, as the spring and autumn were appropriately represented by flowers and fruit respectively, so lilies and winepresses were singled out from each.
The Passover and Feast of Tabernacles divided the year into two fairly equal parts; the former being the spring festival and the latter the autumn.
Israel is symbolized again and again by the vine
Lilies and pomegranates (spring flowers and autumn fruits) were everywhere seen in the Temple (
In the Jewish Prayer Book, at the Feast of Purim, Israel is spoken of as "the lily of Jacob"; and at the Feast of Dedication (Chanucha) God is praised for delivering "the standard of the lilies" (that is to say, of Israel).
The Hebrew shekel had, on one side, sometimes a lamb (Passover), and, on the other side, a wine-bowl (Tabernacles).
The half-shekel had a triple lily and a wine-bowl:
SILVER SHEKEL OF SIMON MACCABÆUS.
In old Jewish cemeteries, tombs are seen with the seven-branched candlestick with its knops and flowers, and sometimes with a triple lily and pomegranate.
Interpreters who are guided by tradition see in these lilies only "poppy heads", betokening eternal sleep! and "a round fruit" or husk from which the kernel (or spirit) has fled! Thus Babylonian and Egyptian heathenism is forced to interpret and replace Divine Biblical symbols. But we may ask in this case: "Does not the lily say, 'Here lies one of Jehovah's redeemed'? and the pomegranate, 'Here lies one safe in Jehovah's keeping'"?
Read, now, the two Shoshannim Psalms (44 and 68), and the Passover story will be seen in all its fulness and beauty.
(Instruction as to the Spring Festival, or the Second Passover.)
This title is found in the sub-scription of Psalm 79 in The Companion Bible (not the super-scription of Psalm 80, as in other Bibles and Versions), while SHUSHAN (singular) EDUTH is found in the sub-scription of Psalm 59 in The Companion Bible (not the super-scription of Psalm 60, as in other Bibles and Versions).
The first of these two words refers to the Spring Festival (see under XXI above), the latter refers to some testimony concerning it. There is no dispute as to the 'Eduth meaning "testimony". It is one of "the ten words" found twenty-three times in Psalm 119 (see Appendix 73). But what is the "testimony" to which these two Psalms refer? It must be concerning something connected with the Spring Festival (Passover), and Dr. Thirtle sees in it the Law and the "Testimony" respecting the keeping of the Passover in the second month, when, under special circumstances, it could not be kept in the first month (see Numbers 9:
In any case, this interpretation is more reasonable, and more worthy of the dignity of the Scared Text than the unsupported guesses as to its being the name of "a popular song", or "the name of a tune", or a choir whose President lived at Shushan.
Is always the rendering of Shir, and denotes words that are to be sung, as distinct from Mizmor (see No. XVII above). It is joined with Mizmor thirteen times (see above). It is used by itself fifteen times (in the Songs of the degrees); and in Psalms 18 (shirah), 45 (with Maschil), and 46.
1 These facts have been discovered, and admirably set forth by Dr. J. W. Thirtle, in his two works on this subject, videlicet, The Titles of the Psalms: their Nature and Meaning explained (1904), and Old Testament Problems (1907). Both published by Henry Frowde, Oxford Bible Warehouse, London.
2 The Greek word parthenos, in Matthew 1:23, shows that the 'almah of Isaiah 7:14 must have been a virgin. The Septuagint also renders 'almah by parthenos in Isaiah 7:14.
3 The word "champion" in verse 51 is not the same word, but gibbor. See Appendix 14. IV.
4 Yebamoth 43b. compare 53b. Yebamoth is the first of seven treatises in the third book (Nashim) which treats of the distinctive rights of men and women.
5 Josephus, Ant. i. 12.
6 Psalm 80:8. Isaiah 5:1 -7; 27:2 - 6. Jeremiah 2:21; 12:10. Hosea 10:1, etc.
