Maschil

We meet with this work out the head of several of the Psalms. The meaning certainly is, to instruct. But wherefore some Psalms should be thus prefixed with a title, and others not, is not so very plain, since the whole book may be justly said to be Psalms of instruction. Some have thought, therefore, that it hath reference to instruct in the music of the Psalm. See Musician.

a title, or inscription, at the head of several psalms of David and others, in the book of Psalms. Thus Psalms 32 is inscribed, “A Psalm of David, Maschil;” and Psalms 42, “To the chief musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.” The word Maschil, in the Hebrew, signifies, “he that instructs;” though some interpreters take it for the name of a musical instrument. Some of the rabbins believe that, in repeating the psalms which have this inscription, it was usual to add an interpretation or explication to them. Others, on the contrary, think it shows the clearness and perspicuity of such psalms, and that they needed no particular explication. The most probable opinion is, that Maschil means an instructive song.

Mas´chil, a title of some of the Psalms [PSALMS, BOOK OF].

Is a term found as a title of thirteen Psalms, and imports one that instructs or makes to understand. Some interpreters think it means an instrument of music; but it more probably signifies an instructive song.\par

Mas’chil. (song of wisdom). The title of thirteen Psalms, Psa 32:1; Psa 42:1; Psa 44:1; Psa 45:1; Psa 52:1; Psa 53:1; Psa 54:1; Psa 55:1; Psa 74:1; Psa 78:1; Psa 88:1; Psa 89:1; Psa 142:1. Ewald regards Psa 47:7, (Authorized Version, "sing ye praises with understanding"; Hebrew, 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 (Psa 32:8) ’aschilka, "I will instruct thee" implies. All Scripture is for "instruction" (2Ti 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 Psa 47:7, "sing ye praises with understanding," i.e. edification, spiritual "wisdom" (Col 3:16). Also Psa 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 (Psa 111:10; Dan 12:10).

[Mas’chil]

A Hebrew word occurring in the headings of several of the Psalms, Psa 32, Psa 42, Psa 44, Psa 45, Psa 52 - Psa 55, Psa 74, Psa 78, Psa 88, Psa 89 and Psa 142. The word signifies ’instruction,’ and these Psalms convey instruction to the remnant, which they will understand. The same word in the plural (maschilim) signifies ’the wise, or the instructed ones.’ See Dan 11:33; Dan 11:35; Dan 12:3; Dan 12:10. In the N.T. Christians are exhorted to be "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Col 3:16.

MASCHIL.—See Psalms, p. 772^a.

mas´kil. See PSALMS.