Introduction
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.
We must decline all other opinions, and accept the more common one that the psalm is Davidic. The kingly author is in grief; betrayed by many of his chief men, especially his favourite counsellor, the nation in a state of alarm, the capital in commotion, government in the whirl of revolution, while falsehood and rumour are rampant. The style is bold and impassioned, suiting a soul agitated to its depths. The descriptions suit no occasion so well as the condition of David at the moment when Absalom’s rebellion had reached its culmination. 2 Samuel 15:0.The psalm may be grouped in two general divisions. The first, Psalms 55:1-15, depicts the distressed condition of the psalmist, caused by the personal hatred of his enemies against himself, Psalms 55:3-8; by the tumult and misrule of his capital, Psalms 55:9-11; and by the treachery of his chief counsellor, Psalms 55:12-14. The second group is in the tone of confidence and prayer, Psalms 55:16-23. There is a strong blending throughout of personal grief and commiseration of public calamity. But above the lowering, surcharged storm-cloud, he at length rises in the calm spirit of trust and hope.
TITLE:
Neginoth Stringed instruments.
Maschil A “maschil” is a didactic psalm. Thus Psalms 47:7, Sing a maschil, (Hebrew,) is to sing a psalm for instruction, or causing to understand.
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