Verses 19-21
19-21. The singers were divided into three choirs, or companies: 1.) The three chiefs, who used cymbals of brass; 2.) Eight others played with psalteries on Alamoth; 3.) Six others played with harps on the Sheminith to excel. The words on Alamoth, and on the Sheminith, are of doubtful meaning. Some understand them as the names of musical instruments; others as the names of different tunes, or of different melodies. Alamoth means virgins, and Sheminith means the eighth, hence Keil explains on Alamoth, “after the manner of virgins, that is, in the soprano;” and on the Sheminith. “after the octave, that is, in bass.” Our acquaintance with the music of the ancient Hebrews is too limited to decide the meaning of these and kindred terms. These and similar words occur at the beginning of many of the psalms.
To excel Rather, to lead; to take the lead in the music.
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