Mas'chil (Heb. maskil', מִשׂכַיל, instrlucting, Hiph. part. of שָׂכִל, to be wise; used as a noun in Ps 47:7, זִמּווּ מִשׂכַיל, sing ye a poem, Peshito, sing praise, but the Sept.,Vulg., and Auth.Vers. "sing ye with understanding") occurs in the titles or inscriptions of Ps 32; Ps 42; Ps 44; Ps 45; Ps 52; Ps 53; Ps 54; Ps 55; Ps 74; Ps 78; Ps 88; Ps 89; Ps 142. The origin of the use of this word is uncertain, and it has been variously interpreted. The most probable meaning of maschil is a poem, song, which enforces intelligence, wisdom, piety, q. d. didactic; which is true of every sacred song, not excepting Psalm 45, where everything is referred to the goodness of God. It occurs elsewhere as an adjective, and is accordingly rendered "wise," or some other term equivalent to instruction (1Sa 18:14-15; 2Ch 30:22; Job 22:2; Ps 14:2; Ps 41:1; Ps 53:2; Pr 10:5,19; Pr 14:35; Pr 15:24; Pr 16:20; Pr 17:2; Pr 19:14; Pr 21:12; Jer 1:9; Da 1:4; Da 11:33,35; Da 12:3,10; Am 5:13). For other derivations from the Arabic, see Gesenius, Thes. Heb. p. 1331. SEE PSALMS, BOOK OF.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More