What is the meaning ofAijeleth Ha-Shaharin Psalm 22:1?

This occurs in the title of Ps. 22: and signifies 'the hind of the morning,' margin. May not its reference be to the resurrection of the Lord after the cross? The Targum explains it as signifying 'the morning oblation of the lamb.' If this is correct, the offering of the lamb stands in strong contrast to the 'bulls of Bashan ' roaring like a lion, and 'the dogs' that compassed the patient victim in the Psalm. Modern critics see nothing more in the words than the name of some tune to which the Psalm was set.

The title of this psalm is noteworthy. Aijeleth Shahar, which our common version leaves untranslated, means the "hind of the dawn," a very peculiar expression, of which, apart from its context here, one might well doubt the significance. It refers, however, as Delitzsch remarks, according to traditional definition to "the early light preceding the dawn of the morning; whose first rays are likened to the horns of a hind." He adds that "there is a determination of the time to this effect, found both in the Jerusalem and in the Babylonian Talmud, 'from the hind of the morning's dawn till the east is lighted up.'" Nor is the application which is so simple to us as Christians, strange to Jewish exposition. As Delitzsch says again, "Even the synagogue, so far as it recognizes a suffering Messiah, hears Him speak here; and takes the 'hind of the morning' as a name of the Shechina (Israel's glory-cloud), and as a symbol of the dawning redemption." "And the Targum recalls the lamb of the morning sacrifice, which was offered as soon as the watchman on the pinnacle of the temple cried out, The first rays of the morning burst forth.'"

Ayeleth-Shahar. Psalm 22. "The hind of the dawn." The early light preceding the dawn of the morning, whose first rays are likened to the shining horns of a hind. (Delitzsch) Alamoth. It means "concerning maidens." It is found in the beginning of Psalm 46. Al-Tashcheth. "Destroy not," in Psalms 57- 59 and in Psalm 75. Gittith. "Winepresses," in Psalms 7, 80 and 83. jeduthun. "Praise giver," in Psalms 39, 62, and 77.

In many respects this Psalm is the most remarkable in the entire book and one of the sublimest prophecies in the whole Bible. The sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow are here wonderfully foretold. The inscription mentions A yeleth Shahar, which means "the hind of the morning." Jewish tradition identifies this hind with the early morning light, when the day dawns and the rays of the rising sun appear like the horns of the hind. The eminent Hebraist Professor Delitzsch, makes the following remark: "Even the Jewish synagogue, so far as it recognizes a suffering Messiah, hears His voice here, and takes the hind of the morning as a name of the Shechinah, and makes it a symbol of coming redemption." And the Targum recalls the lamb of the morning sacrifice, which was offered as soon as the watchman on the pinnacle of the temple cried out, "The first rays of the morning burst forth." All this is very suggestive. The inscription also tells us that the Psalm was written by David. "We know, however, of no circumstances in his life to which it can possibly be referred. In none of the persecutions by Saul was he ever reduced to such straits as those here described" (Perowne). David's personal experience is all out of question. He speaks as a prophet, such as he was (Acts 2:30) and the Spirit of God useth him to give one of the completest pictures of Christ, His suffering and glory, which to David must have been a mystery, so that with other prophets, he searched and enquired as to its meaning. (See 1 Peter 1:10-12). Our Lord in uttering the solemn word with which this Psalm begins in the darkness which enshrouded the cross gives us the conclusive evidence that it is He of whom the Psalm speaks. The Spirit of God equally so in Hebrews 2:11-12 shows that it is Christ. And the glory-side of this gem of prophecy proves fully that none other than the Christ of God is meant.

A i’je leth sha’har The hind of the morning

The marginal reading for Aijeleth-Shahar, given by the translators, is, 'hind of the morning.'

AIJELETH-SHAHAR … The hind of the morning.

Aijeleth occurs only here and in Prov. 5:19, 'the loving hind'; and Jer. 14:5, 'the hind.' But there are many kindred words which confirm this meaning.

Hence the beautiful title of the Psalm — Aijeleth Shahar; expressing in a strong figure of the language, "the dawn of the morning."* For that darkest night that over was, was the dawn of an endless, cloudless day for us. "Thou hast heard me." (Ver. 21) Heard from the transpiercing judgment of God due to sin, that infinite love led Him into for us, His first thought is those for whom He has endured it, those whom He has been given out of the world, that He might declare to us the Name in which is contained all our blessing — "I will declare thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the assembly will I sing praise unto thee." Alone, how infinitely alone, in the darkness for us, He can now associate us with Himself, no longer alone, in the light into which He has entered. Alone in the sorrow, He has us with Him in the joy, and sings out of the fulness of it; but it is "in the midst of the assembly," now associated with Him in the joy.

*Literally "the hind of the morning" — not the gradual break of day, but the leaping in of it, after such a night.

To the chief musician, concerning the Hind of the Dawn; a psalm of David.