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EXPLANATION OF SOME WORDS FOUND IN THE PSALMS

OR IN THEIR TITLES.

1. Alamoth,' Ps. 46, title. To the Virgins, or, To be sung by female voices.

2. Aijeleth-Shahar,' Ps. 22, title. The Hind of the Morning. Yet what this signifies has been disputed. It was customary with the Asiatics to give names to their poetic compositions which often had no relation to the composition itself. A collection of moral essays was termed "The Garden of Anemones." A poem of Saady is called "The Bed of Roses," though there is nothIn the ing relative to roses in the book. original, it reads al-aijeleth-hashahar, "To the Hind of the Morning," which may mean that the Psalm is to be sung to a tune, then well known, called "The Blind of the Morning; as we say, To Scotland,' To "Come, ye disconsolate,' &c. This explanation also includes Jonath-elem-rechokim, and others below.

3.Al-taschith,' title, Pa. 57, 58, 59. 75, Do not Destroy. Perhaps the name of a tune, as No. 2.

4. Gittith,' Ps. 8. 81. 84, is commonly supposed to mean a musical instrument, brought from Gath.

5. Higgaion' (Selah) occurs Ps. 9: 16. It means meditation; i. e. meditate on this.

6. Jonath-elem-rechokim, Ps. 56, title. The Dumb, or dumb dove, in distant Places. See above, No. 2.

7. Mahalath,' P. 53, title. Perhaps a musical instrument. Some think it means a kind of dance. Calmet translates the title, "An instructive psalm of David, for the chief master of dancing;" Clarke, "To the chief player on the flute."

8. Mahalath Leannoth,' Ps. 88, title. Probably a responsive song of the same description.

9. Maschil,' Ps. 32. 42. 45. 52, 53, 54, 55. 74. 78, 88, 89, 142, A didactic or instructive song.

10. Michtam,' Ps. 16. 56, 57, 58, 59, 60. Six Psalms. Golden. These may be 80 called, because on some occasion they were written in golden letters. Thus we are told, that seven poems composed in honor of Mohammed obtained this title, because they were written on parchment, in golden letters, and suspended in the temple at Mecca.

11. Mizmor. This is the title of forty. five Psalms, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, &c., commonly rendered A Psalm.

12. Mizmōr-shir,' the title of seven. P. 31. 65. 67, 68. 75. 77. 112. Pealm-songs.

13. Muth-labben,' Ps. 9, title. Secrets of the Son, or, Concerning the youth of the son. See above, No. 1. Or, as "muth" means virgina, al-muth may be, for the vir gins, la ben, to Ben, or Benaiah, who was the precentor of their band. (1 Chron. 15: 18. 20.)

14. Nehiloth,' Ps. 5. A kind of wind in

strument.

15. Neginoth,' Ps. 4. 6. 54, 55, 60, 61. 76, titles. Stringed instruments played with the fingers.

16. Selah' occurs upwards of seventy times in the Book of Psalms, and thrice in Habakkuk. Some suppose it means the same as da capo, repeat; others, that it signifies a rest or pause in singing. It is of read as part of the Psalm. no authority whatever, and should not be

17. Sheminith,' Ps. 6. 12, titles. A harp with eight strings.

18. Shiggaion,' Pa. 7, title. A wander ing song. Calmet and others say it means an elegy.

19. Shir, Ps. 45, title. Song. See above, No. 12.

20. Shir-hammaeholoth,' the title of fifteen Psalms; 120-134. Songs of Degrees, or "Odes of Ascension." These probably ob tained their title from some peculiarity in the metre: what this was, we know not. Some think this name was assigned them because they were sung by pilgrimis going to Jerusalem to the feasts; or because they were sung by those who returned from the captivity or by the priests going up the steps of the Temple.

21. Shir-Mizmör,' Ps. 48. 66. 83, 88, 108, titles. Song-pealms. See above, No. 12. 22. Shoshannim,' Ps. 45, title, probably means, The Lilies, explained as above, No. 2.

29. Shushan-eduth,' Pa. 60, title, and Shoshannin-eduth,' Ps. 80, title. Lily, and Lilies of the Testimony. See No. 2.

24. Tehillah,' Ps. 145, title. Praise.

25. Tephilah,' Ps. 17. 86. 90. 102, titles, Prayers.

26. To ten Psalms, 106, 111, 112, 113, 135. 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, there is a title pr-fixed, viz. Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah, These are termed "Hallelujah-Psalms." In our common version, the titles have been incorporated with the Psalms themselves.

THE PSALMS.

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PSALM II.

1 WHY do the heathen rage,

And the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder,

And cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh:
The LORD shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath,
And vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have 1 set my King

Upon my holy hill of Zion.'

71 will declare the decree:

The LORD hath said unto me,

Thou art my Son;

This day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen
for thine inheritance,

And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy
possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;
Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a
potter's verse!.'

10 Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings; Be instructed, ye judzes of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear,

And rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry,
And ye perish from 'he way,

When his wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all they that put their trust in
him.

PSALM III,

1 LORD, how are they increased that trouble me?

Many are they that rise up against me.

2 Many there be which say of my soul,
There is no help for him in God.

Selah.

3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me;
My glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice,
And he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept;

I awaked: for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
That have set thems Ives against me round
about.

7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God.
For thou hast smitten all mine enemies
upon the cheek-bone;

Thou has: broken the tee h of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD:
Thy blessing is upon thy people.

PSALM IV.

Selah,

1 HEAR me when I call, O God of my right

eousness:

Thou hast enlarged me when I was in dis tress;

Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. 20 ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame>

How long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selih.

3 But know, that the LORD

Hath set apart him that is godly for himself: The LORD will hear when I call unto him 4 Stand in awe, and sin not;

Commune with your own heart upon your
Selah.
bed, and be still.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness;
And put your trust in the LORD,

6 There be many that say, Who will show us
any good?

LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

7 Thou has put gladness in my heart,

More than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: For thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

PSALM V.

1 GIVE ear to my words, O LORD;
Consider my meditation,

2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King,
And my God: for unto thee will I pray.

3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD;

In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness;

Neither shall evil dwell with thee.

5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: Thou ha est all workers of iniquity.

6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: The LORD will abhor the bloody and decei ful man.

7 But as for me. I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy;

And in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

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8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness, Because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face."

9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
Their inward part is very wickedness;
Their throat is an open sepulchre;
They flatter with their tongue.

10 Destroy thou them, O God;

Let them fall by their own counsels:

Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions;

For they have rebelled against thee.

11 But 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.

12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; With favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

PSALM VI.

1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak:

O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

3 My soul is also sore vexed:

But thou, O LORD, how long?

4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: Oh save me for thy mercy's sake.

5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee:

In the grave who shall give thee thanks? 6 I am weary with my groaning:

All the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears, 7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief:

It waxeth old because of all mine enemies. 8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity: For the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

9 The LORD ha'h heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer.

10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed:

Let them return and be ashamed suddenly,
PSALM VII.

10 LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: Save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.

2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion,

Rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; If there be iniquity in my hands;

4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me;

(Yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy ;)

5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; Yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth,

And lay mine honor in the dust.

6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger,

Selah.

Lift up thyself, because of the rage of mine

enemies;

And awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.

So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about:

For their sakes, therefore, return thou on high.

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He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,

A refuge in times of trouble.

10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee:

For thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion:

Declare among the people his doings. 12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them:

He forgetteth not the cry of the humble. 13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD;

Consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me,

Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death;

14 That I may show forth all thy praise In the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made:

In the net which they hid is their own foo

taken.

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1 WHY s'andest thou afer off. O LORD ? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? 2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor:

Let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

3 For the wicked boas'eth of his heart's desire, And blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

4 The wicked, through the pride of his coun tenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

5 His ways are always grievous;

Thy judgments are far above out of his sight: As for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. 6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: For I shall never be in adversity.

7 His mouth is full of cursing, and deceit, and fraud;

Under his tongue is mischief and vanity,

8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the vil lages :

In the secret places doth he murder the innocent:

His eyes are privily set against the poor. 9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den; He lieth in wait to catch the poor:

He doth ca'ch the poor, when he drawe'h him into his net.

10 He crouche:h, and humbleth himself,

That the poor may fall by his strong ones. 11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: He hideth his face; he will never see it. 12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: Forget not the humble."

13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? He hath said in his heart!, Thou wilt not require it.

14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest Mischief and spite, to require at with thy hand:

The poor committe:h himself unto thee: Thou art the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break thou the arm of the wicked, and the

evil man:

Seek out his wickeluess, fill thou find none. 16 The LORD is King for ever and ever:

The heathen are perished out of his land. 17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble:

Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear;

18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may no more oppress.

PSALM XI,

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3 If the foundations he destrovel, What can the rigirems do?

4 The LORD is in his holy temple, The LORD'S throne is in heaven: His eyes beh 14,

His eyelids try the children of men. 5 The LORD trie h the rightens:

But the wicket, and him that loveth vio lence, his soul hateth.

6 Upon the wicked he shall rain spares. Fire and brit stone, aud an horrible tempes': This shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the righteous LORD loveh righteous

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5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,

Now will I arise, saith the LORD;

I will set him in safety from him that puff

eth at him.

6 The words of the LORD are pure words; A silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.

7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD,

Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

8 The wicked walk on every side, When the vilest men are exalted.

PSALM XIII.

1 HOW long wilt thou forget me, O LORD, for ever?

How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily;

How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him;

And those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trus'ed in thy mercy;

My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. 6 I will sing unto the LORD,

Because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
PSALM XIV.

1 THE fool ha'h said in his heart,
There is no God.

They are corrupt; they have done abomi nable works;

There is none that doeth good.

2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men,

To see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

3 They are all gone aside,

They are all together become filthy;

There is none that doeth good, no, not one. 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no know. ledge?

Who eat up my people as they eat bread,
And call not upon the LORD."

5 There were they in great fear :

For God is in the generation of the righteous. 6 Ye have shamed The counsel of the poor; Because the LORD his refuge.

70 that the Salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!

When the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people,

Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

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5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

PSALM XVI.

1 FRESERVE me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

20 my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my LORD:

My goodness extendeth not to thee;

3 But to the saints that are in the earth, And to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that has'en after another god:

Their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer,

Nor take up their names into my lips.

5 The LORD is the portion of mine inherit. ance, and of my cup:

Thou maintainest my lot.

6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places,

Yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel;

My reins also instruct me in the night-sea

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4 Concerning the works of men,

By the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

6 I have called upon thee: for thou wilt hear me, O God:

Incline bine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7 Show thy marvellous loving-kindness,
Othou that savest by thy right hand
Them which put their trust in thee,
From those that rise up against them.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye;
Heue under the shadow of thy wings.
9 From the wicked the oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who compass me

about.

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