maschil Summary and Overview

instructing, occurs in the title of thirteen Psalms (32, 42, 44, etc.). It denotes a song enforcing some lesson of wisdom or piety, a didactic song. In Ps. 47:7 it is rendered, Authorized Version, "with understanding;" Revised Version, marg., "in a skilful psalm."

(song of wisdom), the title of thirteen Psalms 32,45,44,45,52-55,74,78,68,69,142 Ewald regards #Ps 47:7| (Authorized Version, "sing ye praises with understanding;" Heb. maschil) as the key to the meaning of maschil, which in his opinion is a musical term denoting a melody requiring great skill in its execution.

Title of Psalm 32; Psalm 42; Psalm 44; Psalm 45; Psalm 52-55; Psalm 74; Psalm 78; Psalm 88; Psalm 89; Psalm 142. "Instruction" is the special design of such psalms, as the Hebrew cognate verb (Psalm 32:8) 'aschilka, "I will instruct thee" implies. All Scripture is for "instruction" (2 Timothy 3:16). This title draws attention to the instruction in psalms where this design is not at first sight apparent. Gesenius and Roediger explain "any sacred song relating to divine things, whose end it is to promote wisdom and piety." Compare the sense of maschil Psalm 47:7, "sing ye praises with understanding," i.e. edification, spiritual "wisdom" (Colossians 3:16). Also Psalm 53:2, "God looked down ... to see if there were any that did understated" (maschil). The "instruction" aimed at is to bring reckless man to spiritual understanding, the true wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Daniel 12:10).