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The Bible Year

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 20, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 20.

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The Bible Year

Assignment for April 23 to 29

Explanatory

In the Revised Version the Psalms are properly printed in poetic form. Though there is no verbal rhyme in the lines, in them there is a rhyme of thought, and in them was a song cadence and rhythm in the words.
It will be noticed that many of the psalms have inscriptions of various kinds; as, “Set to the Gittith,” “Set to Muth-labben,” etc. One Bible commentator explains these as follows: “Some are called Michtam, ‘golden poem;’ or Maschil, ‘choice ode.’ Psalms 6 and 12 are on Sheminith, ‘the octave or bass,’ for male voices. The forty-sixth is on Alamoth, ‘after the manner of maidens,’ or a soprano song. The fourth is set to Neginoth, ‘stringed instruments.’ Psalm 9 is set to the tune, ‘Death of a Son;’ Psalm 22 to the tune, ‘Hind of the Morning;’ Psalm 45 to the tune, ‘The Lilies;’ Psalm 56 to the tune, ‘The Far-off Dove in Silent Lands.’”
The word “selah,” which occurs so many times in the Psalms, is believed to relate in some way to the music to which the Psalms were set, or to have been used as a direction for the singers to be silent or pause, while the musicians played an interlude. Others give the word the meaning of “amen.”

Psalm 32

“Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” There is a peculiar beauty in this last phrase. Itsuggests the picture of a company of singing angels joining hands about the son that was lost and is found, and making him the center of a circle of joy. He is encompassed with songs; they are his guard, his defense. Music is like a wall round about him. Holy gladness is a secure protection to the soul. If any one is merry, let him sing psalms; and the devils who are always waiting to spoil every pure enjoyment, and to make every pleasure an occasion to sin, will fly away like bats from a cavern when a torch is kindled. Even the dangers which haunt the hour of disaster and loneliness, the temptations to doubt and murmuring and despair, are dispelled when the heart begins to strike up a song of deliverance. Paul and Silas, sitting in the darkness of the Philippian prison, were surrounded by their songs at midnight as by a circle of light, and the evil spirits had no power on them, dared not come near them.
“It is said that a friend once asked the great composer Haydn why his church music was always so full of gladness. He answered, ‘I cannot make it otherwise. I write according to the thoughts I feel; when I think upon God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes dance and leap from my pen; and since God has given me a cheerful heart, it will be pardoned me that I serve him with a cheerful spirit.’” — Van Dyke.