Psalm 14 & 53: A Comparison Study

Psalm 14 & 53: A Comparison Study

Someone was playing an oud.

David heard it and became interested too. Once he started playing as a young boy he got to be very good at it. As time went on, David became accustomed to taking his strings with him out to pasture where there were shepherds in the fields guarding their flocks by night.

David would play his kinnor* and also began writing down the words to his songs. These were later collected, compiled and included in the edition we now have of the book of ancient Psalms.

Note: There are two main numbering systems of the chapters in Psalms. This is important to remember especially when looking at references which may come from anything written in another language (e.g. Dutch).

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Psalm 14

Heading: [to be transcribed]

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord. But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Psalms 14:1‭-‬7

Psalm 53

Heading: [to be transcribed]

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on God. But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; you put them to shame, for God despised them. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Psalms 53:1‭-‬6

Partial List of Psalm Headings Indicating Accompaniment (Heb. neginah)

4,5,[to be completed],54,55,61,67,76,108

List of Psalms mentioning specific instruments

[to be listed]

Michtam (6)
16,56,57,58,59,60

Maskil (13)
32,42,44,45,52,53,54,55,74,78,88,89,142

Azan (sound familiar to anyone?)
Give ear

A Short Article About Psalm Headings

https://reformedreader.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/the-titles-of-the-psalms-original/

Psalm Terms

Tehillim: Psalms

Mizmor: melody

Shiyr: musical

Headings Terms

Maskil, nechilah, mahalath leannoth (73), sheminith, shiggaion, gittith, alamoth, miktam etc.

Instrument Terms

accompaniment (Heb. neginah)

lyre (Heb. kinnor, Eng. harp)

lute (Heb. nebel, Eng. bottle)

flute (Heb. nechilah, Eng. pipe)

Definitions

Shiggaion (meditation, D. klaaglied)

Sheminith (eight stringed harp, bass)

Gittith (instrument of Gath)

Alamoth (soprano)

Maskil (contemplation)

Miktam (unknown meaning)

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*Perhaps like the 10 stringed instrument (Heb. nebel asor) of P33,92,144

Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Psalms 33:2‭-‬3

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.
Psalms 92:1‭-‬3

I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David. From the deadly sword
Psalms 144:9‭-‬10

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Editor’s Note:

Kinor
Qitar
Citar
Guitar
Ukelele