To what do the various musical terms in the book of Psalms refer?

Among the authors of the Psalms, David, of course, figures largely; but Moses, Asaph, Heman, and Ethan also appear, and it may be Solomon as the writer of Ps. 72 and 127. Then, as to the circumstances which gave rise to many of the compositions, all so described are attributed to the history of David, — Ps. 102 alone excepted. But whether the different headings can be depended upon, that of Ps. 18 excepted, is a matter on which there is not agreement, though they must have been inserted very early, being found in the Greek Septuagint version. In that version, however, there are headings to other Psalms which have no authority from the Hebrew text. Then of instruments of music we have mention, both wind and stringed instruments being pressed into the service of God. Ps. 4 tells of the latter, and Ps. 5 speaks of the former. And tunes, it would seem, well known in those days, we read of, to which certain Psalms were to be set, such as Al-taschith "destroy not," Ps. 57, 58, 59, 75. The character also of the different compositions are noticed, as Psalms; songs also, as Ps. 30, 45, 46, etc.; prayers, as Ps. 17, 86, 90, 102, 142; and praise, as Ps. 145. Some, too, are distinguished by the Hebrew term Michtam, Ps. 16, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, an addition, as we see at times, to the designation of "a song"; others are described as Maschil (see Ps. 32; 42, 44, 45, etc.). Into all this, however, it would be foreign to our purpose here to enter. So closing these prefatory remarks, which remind us of the varied character of the compositions, we invite our readers to examine with us the order of the Psalms in detail.

In the headings of fifty-five of the Psalms the words occur, "To the chief musician;" the word is natsach, and simply means 'to the chief or the leader,' and may therefore apply as much to the singers as to the musicians. The musical instruments are considered under their various names.

A Hebrew word in the headings of Ps. 6 and Ps. 12, and in 1 Chr. 15:21. It will be seen that in the margin these passages read 'on the eighth,' with which the LXX agrees. It was probably an instrument of eight strings (from shemoneh, 'eight'). Gesenius says it means 'octave'; hence the lowest notes of the scale, and sung by men.

The title occurs in the superscriptions of three Psalms, viz., Nos. 8, 81 and 84. It is generally considered to be the name of a musical instrument, possibly used by the Gittites or inhabitants of Gath. Be that as it may, there is undoubtedly an element which refers to thoughts analogous to "wine-pressing," with which Scripture constantly associates the idea of judgment followed by gladness in the hearts of the people of God in consequence of the righteousness of God having been vindicated.

The title of the psalm is remarkable: “A song upon Alamoth.” A note in the Scofield References says “Some have thought the Alamoth, virgins, were a temple choir singing antiphonally to the Sheminith, or male choir.” And it has been said that “the singing of this virgin choir shows that even the feeble virgins may sing in a day of peril without fear because “the mighty One is on their side.” it is the consciously weak that can sing this song of faith for their whole strength is in the Lord. “To them that have no might He increases strength” (Isa. 40:29).

We commend the psalm specially to the Christian women; their steadfast faith and hope is a great help to the church of God and to His servants. The wife of George Whitefield used to stand behind him when the mob threatened him and say, “Play the man for God, George.” The psalm does not celebrate natural courage, not even faith but the greatness and absolute reliability of God—“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear.” It is what God is that drives away the fear—God greater and nearer than all circumstances, God greater than all foes, “God for us.” We may dwell too much on faith and lose sight of God we may even put our trust in prayer instead of in the God to whom we pray. If we know God our faith will be active, if we know His care, His love, His wisdom, His power, we shall pray and shall believe while we pray, but it will be God Himself and not our faith or our prayers that will be important to us

But we must first glance at the inspired heading. "To the chief musician. For the Sons of Korah. A song upon Alamoth." These headings should never be omitted in the reading of the psalms. Unlike the summaries printed in italics in most English Bibles, the headings have been given by the Spirit of God, and should be viewed as part of the psalms to which they are attached. Frequently there is contained in them much food for the soul. "The chief musician." Who is he? Is it not Christ? When He gets all His heavenly redeemed around Himself in the Father's house above He will be the leader of their everlasting song of praise; and when He surrounds Himself with His earthly redeemed in this lower scene He will also be the leader of their song (cf. Ps. 22:22; Heb. 2:12). He will enjoy more deeply than any the fruits of His own past toil and woe. "The sons of Korah." Who were they? These were the family of the man who led the disastrous revolt in the wilderness described in Numbers 16. When he and his company were swallowed up, God in His mercy spared his sons, as we read, "Notwithstanding, the sons of Korah died not" (Num. 26:11). These, snatched as it were by sovereign mercy from the very brink of destruction, were afterwards brought into God's sanctuary, and given places of honourable service there (1 Chron. 26). How remarkably typical of our own case! We were once standing on the brink of a more dreadful destruction than they, but God has saved us in His grace and brought us into His own presence, and given us the privilege and joy of ministering before Him. Are we not justified therefore in claiming a spiritual interest in every psalm dedicated to the sons of Korah? "Alamoth" means "maiden's voices," and has reference to the custom of publishing victory by means of maidens in the song and dance (Ex. 15; Ps. 68:11). This psalm is therefore one of deliverance and victory. Prophetically, it celebrates just that for Israel by-and-bye; spiritually, it celebrates for US the even greater deliverance that we have experienced at the hands of our God.

To the Chief Musician 55 Psalms of David's time bear this indication in the heading. The chief musician was certainly the conductor of the choir in the temple. In this we may see a hint to the Lord Jesus who Himself will sing praise in the midst of the assembly (compare Ps. 22:22; Heb. 2:12).

For the chief musician; on stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

We have for the first time here a musical inscription, "To the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments," as psaltery and harp. A gentler, quieter strain is indicated than in the psalm that follows, with its accompaniment of flutes. The themes certainly correspond to this difference, though we may not be able to define it more closely. And who is meant by "the chief musician"? Is it indeed a note of relation to Him who has led in these experiences, "the Leader and Finisher of faith," as Scripture declares Him, and who at the end, "in the midst of the congregation," leads the praises of His people with the gladdest heart among them all? It is surely natural to think so, even though we can give no account why this is found in some of these psalms and not in others. The spiritual sense has had perhaps too little training with us for this.

This psalm, in common with many others, continues to show the kindness of God in the face of trial and persecution. It is addressed to the Chief Musician, who is certainly the Lord Jesus, as is indicated in Hebrews 2:123, where the Lord is speaking, "In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You." it is he who takes the lead in the musical offering of praise to God. The first verse is directly addressed to the Chief Musician, a prayer in which the psalmist recognizes that he is speaking to the "God of my righteousness." Thus, the Chief Musician is God.

This prayer too relates to the previous answer from God, who had before relieved the psalmist when he was in distress. For this reason, he can count on the mercy of the Lord in hearing his prayer (v. 1). Do we not also find that as the cases of God's answering our prayers multiply, this increases our confidence that He hears when our need drives us to pray?

No, it is not. Whilst it is true that in Old Testament times there was a ‘chief musician' (as the headings of many Psalms indicate), we do not find this concept in the New Testament (except to the extent that the Lord Jesus is now the chief musician, the One who leads the worship (Heb. 2:12)). Assembly meetings are guided by the Holy Spirit in such a way that every brother can contribute (1 Cor. 14:26). This divine pattern is very different from the idea of a worship leader planning in advance what will be said and by whom.