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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Maschil
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(Heb. maskil', îִùְׂëַéì , instrlucting, Hiph. part. of ùָׂëִì , to be wise; used as a noun in Psa_47:7, æִîְּååּ îִùְׂëַéì , sing ye a poem, Peshito, sing praise, but the Sept.,Vulg., and Auth.Vers. “sing ye with understanding”) occurs in the titles or inscriptions of Psalms 32, 42, 44, 45, 52, 53, 54, 55, 74, 78, 88, 89, 142. The origin of the use of this word is uncertain, and it has been variously interpreted. The most probable meaning of maschil is a poem, song, which enforces intelligence, wisdom, piety, q. d. didactic; which is true of every sacred song, not excepting Psalms 45, where everything is referred to the goodness of God. It occurs elsewhere as an adjective, and is accordingly rendered “wise,” or some other term equivalent to instruction (1Sa_18:14-15; 2Ch_30:22; Job_22:2; Psa_14:2; Psa_41:1; Psa_53:2; Pro_10:5; Pro_10:19; Pro_14:35; Pro_15:24; Pro_16:20; Pro_17:2; Pro_19:14; Pro_21:12; Jer_1:9; Dan_1:4; Dan_11:33; Dan_11:35; Dan_12:3; Dan_12:10; Amo_5:13). For other derivations from the Arabic, see Gesenius, Thes. Heb. p. 1331. SEE PSALMS, BOOK OF.