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- Introduction
- Psalm Summaries
- Psalm 56
- Defining the Superscription
- Meaning of the Psalm
- References and Footnotes
- Other Pages to View
Introduction
Psalm Summaries
Psalm 56
For the music director; according to Jonathelemrehokim. A Mikhtam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
Defining the Superscription
Jonathelemrehokim may appear as one word or three depending on the English translation (or it may be translated), but the Hebrew is three distinct words: Jona (dove),[1] elem (silence or congregation),[2] rehokim (remote or long ago).[3] That would make the translation something like “the congregation of doves from long ago (or far away).” In some ways that seems wrong, but today we associate doves with peace and innocence and I could see a translation like “the congregation of saints or innocents from long ago or far away.” Another possibility is that this was a name or “genre” or even existing song. Perhaps David was saying his psalm was meant to go to the tune of a know song called Jonathelemrehokim.
The other untranslated word in the superscription is Mikhtam, which appears in many Psalms. No one knows the meaning of this word.
Meaning of the Psalm
The Psalm very much embodies the modern phrase “let go and let God.”
References and Footnotes
- “Strong’s H3123. יוֹנָה”. Blue Letter Bible; visited April 2024
- “Strong’s H482. אֵלֶם”. Blue Letter Bible; visited April 2024
- “Strong’s H7350. רָחוֹק”. Blue Letter Bible; visited April 2024
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