Page 410 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

MUTH-LABBEN - MUTTER

works. See Psalm 100. True worship is to give thanks to Nehiloth, in the title of Ps. 5, seems to indicate,
God (Heb. 13:15). according to Gesenius, that when this Psalm was sung it
All of this looks forward to the Millennial Temple when was to be accompanied by wind instruments.
Christ will be seated on the throne of His glory and the Selah. This term appears frequently in the Psalms.
priests will sing and play to His glory and people will Possibly it signified a pause in the vocal music while an
worship Him (Ezek. 40:44). The Psalms are filled with instrumental interlude or finale was rendered.
prophecies of this (e.g., Psalm 33:1-11; 149:1-3; Sheminith, in the titles of Psalms 6 and 12, translated
150:3-6). ‘eighth,’ probably indicates the measure, movement, or
MUSICA SYMBOLS USED IN THE O.T. pitch.
The following study was taken primarily from Naves Shiggaion, in the title of Ps. 7, and its plural,
Topical Bible: Shigionoth, in the title of Hab. 3, are supposed to have
Alamoth. Literally virgins. A musical term which been musical terms to guide in rendering the song. At
appears in 1 Ch. 15:20 and in the title of Ps. 46. It the close of the chapter the author refers the ode ‘to the
seems to indicate the rendering of the song by female chief musician, on my stringed instruments.’ The term
voices, possible soprano. may suggest the movement in interpreting the music set
Al-Taschith. It appears in the titles of Ps. 57, 58, 59, to it.
75, and seems to have been used to indicate the kind of Shoshannim and Shushan-Eduth, in the titles of Ps.
ode, or the kind of melody in which the ode should be 45, 60, 69, 80, seem to indicate the manner in which
sung. these Psalms were to be rendered. Kimchi, Tremellius,
Higgaion. In Ps. 92:3, according to Gesenius, it and Eichhorn render it ‘hexachorda,’ that is, that in
signifies the murmuring tone of a harp, and hence that singing these Psalms instruments of six strings were to
the music should be rendered in a plaintive manner. In accompany. “Gesenius refers it to the form of the
Ps. 9:16, combined with ‘Selah,’ it may have been instruments as resembling lilies. Furst, as the name of
intended to indicate a pause in the vocal music while one of the musical choirs” (Concise). [See Cornet,
the instruments rendered an interlude. In Ps. 19:14, Cymbals, Dancing, Harp, Hymn, Laughter, Organ, Pipe,
Mendelssohn translates it ‘meditation, thought.’ Hence Psaltery, Rejoice, Sackbut, Timbrel, Trumpet.]
that the music was to be rendered in a mode to promote MUTH-LABBEN (death, on the death of the son). Ps.
devout meditation. 9: Title. [See Music.]
Mahalath, Leannoth. These terms are found in the MUTTER. To utter with imperfect articulations, or
titles of Ps. 53 and 88. ... They may indicate the with a low murmuring voice; to grumble; to murmur; to
instruments to be played or the melody to be sung. make obscure utterance (Webster) (Is. 8:19). The
Maschil. This musical sign occurs in the titles of Hebrew word (hagah) is also elsewhere translated
Psalms 32, 42, 44, 45, 52, 53, 54, 55, 74, 78, 88, 89, “mourn” (Is. 16:7; 38:14; 59:11), “roaring” (Is. 31:4),
142. The meaning is obscure, but its signification where “utter” (Job 27:4), “speak” (Ps. 35:26; 115:7), and
it occurs elsewhere than in the titles of Psalms is “imagine” (Ps. 38:12). The wizards are said to “peep
equivalent to the English word ‘instruments,’ or to and mutter,” referring to the various odd utterances they
become wise by instruction; hence Ps. 47:7, ‘Sing ye made in their incantations and séances. The familiar
praises with understanding.’ spirits were those who professed to be able to
Michtam. A musical term in the titles of Ps. 16, 56, communicate with the dead, whereas the wizards were
the magicians and soothsayers who sought to prophesy
57, 58-60. Luther interprets as ‘golden,’ that is, precious. the future and control events in this world through
Ewald interprets it as signifying a plaintive manner. magic. The mutterings of those with familiar spirits is
Muth-Labben, in the title of Ps. 9. Authorities, ancient referred to in Is. 29:4. “These conjurors had strange
and modern, differ as to the probable signification. fantastic gestures and tones. They delivered what they
Gesenius and De Wette interpret it, ‘with the voice of had to say with a low, hollow, broken sound, scarcely
virgins, by boys.’ Others derive the word from a articulate, and sometimes in a puling or mournful tone,
different Hebrew root, and interpret it as indicating that like a crane, or a swallow, or a dove. They spoke not
the Psalm was a funeral ode. with that boldness and plainness which the prophets of
Neginah and Neginoth appear in the titles of Ps. 4, 54, the Lord spoke with, but as those who desire to amuse
55, 61, 67, and Hab. 3:19. Its use seems to have been to people rather than to instruct them. Dread the use of
indicate that the song should be accompanied by spells and charms, and consulting those that by hidden
stringed instruments. arts pretend to tell fortunes, cure diseases, or discover
things lost; for this is a heinous crime, and, in effect,

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