Sheminith

August 18, 2015

The wicked are all around us (Ps 12:1-12:2)

To the choirmaster leader, according to the Sheminith, a psalm of David.

“Help!

Yahweh!

There is no longer anyone who is godly.

The faithful have disappeared from humankind.

They utter lies to each other.

They speak

With flattering lips.

They speak

With a double heart.”

Once again, Psalm 12 is another short psalm like Psalm 11. However, there is this note about Sheminith, the Hebrew word for 8th so that it may mean to sing this psalm in an 8th key or octave, perhaps the lowest male note. This generally means a lament as the choirmaster must note this. As usual, this is also a psalm of David. However, there is no mention of stringed instrument like in Psalm 6. There is no mention of the circumstances of David in this short Psalm 12. He clearly wanted Yahweh to help him because there are no more faithful ones, no more godly people around him. Everyone was lying and using double speak. All the faithful ones had disappeared.

August 10, 2015

A penitential psalm to Yahweh (Ps 6:1-6:3)

“To the choirmaster leader with stringed instruments, according to the Sheminith, a psalm of David.

Yahweh!

Do not rebuke me in your anger!

Do not discipline me in your wrath!

Be gracious to me!

Yahweh!

I am languishing.

Yahweh!

Heal me!

My bones are shaking with terror.

My soul also is struck with terror.

But you Yahweh!

How long will this last?”

This Psalm 6 is a psalm for healing or a penitential psalm. Once again, there is a note to the choirmaster or leader about stringed instruments. It also is a psalm of David without any particular designation of any event in his life. However, there is this note about Sheminith, the Hebrew word for 8th so that it may mean this psalm should be sung in an 8th key or octave, perhaps the lowest male note. This would fit with the concept of this penitential lament. This is addressed to Yahweh directly. David did not want to be rebuked or disciplined by Yahweh because he was angry. He wanted Yahweh to be gracious to him. Both his body and soul were struck with terror. He wanted to know how long this was going to last.