(Heb. higgayon',
äַâָּéåֹï
) occurs in Psa_92:3, where, according to Gesenius, it signifies the murmuring (Farst, low or solemn) tone of the harp, Sept.
ìåô᾿ ᾠäῆò ἐí êéèÜñᾷ
. In Psa_9:17, Higgaion Selah is a musical sign, prob. for a pause in the instrumental interlude, Sept.
ᾠäὴ äéὰ øÜëìáôïò
; and so Symn. Aqu. and Vulg. SEE SELAH. In Psalm 19:15 the term signifies (and is rendered) meditation, in Lam_3:62 a device. “Mendelsson translates it meditation, thought, idea. Knapp (Die Psalmen) identifies it in Psa_9:17 with the Arabic
äâé
, and
äâà
, ‘to mock,' and hence-his rendering ‘What a shout of laughter!' (because the wicked are entrapped in their own snares); but in Psa_92:4 he translates it by ‘Lieder' (songs). R. David Kimchi likewise assigns two separate meanings to the word; on Psa_9:17, he says, This aid is for us (a subject of) meditation and thankfulness,' while in his commentary on the passage, Psa_92:4, he gives to the same word the signification of melody, This is the melody of the hymn when it is recited (played) on the harp.' ‘We will meditate on this forever' (Rashi, Comment. on Psa_9:17). In Psalms 9; Psalms 17, Aben Ezra's comment on ‘Higgaion Selah' is, ‘this will I record in truth:' on Psa_92:4 he says, ‘Higgaion means the melody of the hymn, or it is the name of a musical instrument.' It would seem, then, that Higgaion has two meanings, one of a general character implying thought, reflection, from
äâä
(comp.
éäâéåï ìáé
, Psa_9:17, and
åäâéåðí òìé ëì äéåí
, Lam_3:62), and another in Psa_9:17, and Psa_92:4, of a technical nature, bearing on the import of musical sounds or signs well known in the age of David, but the precise meaning of which cannot at this distance of time be determined.” SEE PSALMS.