tAl{{[]j;h; ryvI (Psalms 120-134) - A Song of Degrees
Simple Root Definition:
A song out of a
group of songs that increase by height or measure in a positive
direction.
Translated in the OT:
The word ryvI is
here translated as song, which is how it is most often translated in the
OT.1 When
found here in these 15 Psalms it is classified uniquely by the word tAl{{[]j;h. tAl{{[]j;h is
translated here as degrees. So
these 15 songs are uniquely noted as songs of degrees. In order for us to better understand what
these special songs are it will be key to understanding the semantical domain
of the word tAl{{[]j;h. There
are 15 different English words used in translation which are as follows: ascent
(Num 34:4), degrees (2 Kings 20:9), steps (Ex 20:6), stairs
(Neh 3:15), high (1 Chr 17:17), hill (1 Sam 9:11), stories
(Amos 9:6), go (Ezra 7:9), goeth (Josh 10:10), going (Jer
48:5), mounting (Is 15:5), cliff (2 Chr 20:16), chiefest
(2 Chr 32:33), come (Eze 11:5), before (Jud 8:13).2 Due to its use in these 15 Psalms it is
translated most often as degrees (23x).3 The majority of the other translations are
used only once. However, steps is
used 11x, going 9x, and stairs 6x. The word throughout is used
only 60+ times in the OT.
Defining Passages:
Ezekiel 11:5 “…for
I know the things that come into your mind…”
Isaiah 38:8 “…So
the sun returned ten degrees…”
Nehemiah 12:37 “…they
went up by the stairs of the city of
Commentary:
Interestingly ryvI has been
interpreted as being associated with psalms sung vocally alone as opposed to
those with instrumental accompaniment.4 However, in this use the word is not
associated with a psalm, but as a song.
And used independently ryvI may refer to
either a religious or non-religious type of song.5 Thus, our
understanding of these special songs must come from tAl{{[]j;h. No matter what
the translated word is in English, they all carry the same basic root ideas. tAl{{[]j;h is
derived from the verb stem hl’[“ *
meaning to ascend.6
The meanings of “climactical progression”, “elevation”, and
“things that come up” are evident.7 A definiteness in meaning can be
seen in the root word and perhaps is reinforced by the presence of the article
in all 15 of the song titles. The word
is used in the OT both literally as in a “journey to a higher place”, but also
figuratively as in “a thought arising”.8 The literal use occurs much
more often, but the later does occur. So
which is the case here in these special 15 songs? The answer can only be determined by context,
and because the words are found as titles, context is difficult to establish
other than by looking at the content of the songs themselves. Of the 15 songs 4 indicate David as the
author (122, 124, 131, 133); 1 indicates that it was written for Solomon (127);
9 claim no specific human author; and 1 is worded as a song to or for
degrees (121). If all songs were written
at the same time with a specific direction regarding ascent in mind then they
must have had one human author. If so it
must have been David, but this cannot be established due to lack of information
and possible gaps in writing based on the historical content of each song. It is very doubtful then that they were
written specifically for the purpose of being “sung by pilgrims on the road up
to the feasts at
If they were sung at these times then
it was perhaps due to their implication of “Jerusalem’s historical and moral elevation”.10 Or maybe, since they do tend to rise in moral
elevation, the Spirit so moved Ezra to compile them in this order that they be
correspondingly sung by degrees of elevated voice.
In
summary we can observe that the study of
tAl{{[]j;h does
not provide a conclusive explanation for the reason of these special
titles. Perhaps the Holy Spirit has left
this open so that we might focus on faith instead of all the details. The whens and whys of God’s Word can often
get in the way of our focus on the simple truth of a spiritual principle that
is at hand. I believe that is the reason
God does not always supply all of the whens and whys. As we read these 15 songs there is a sense of
increasing excitement as the morality and spiritual focus increases and becomes
more positive. Should we not be elevated
in our souls to sing greater and louder at the increasing revelation of God’s
character and attributes as He brings us nearer His bosom?
1James
Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), 992.
2Ibid
(Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary), 69.
3Ibid,
258.
4Harris/Archer/Waltke,
Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, (Chicago, IL: Moody Press,
1980), 920.
5Ibid.
6James
Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible,
(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), 88.
7Ibid,
69.
8Ibid.
9Henry
Halley, Halley’s Bible Handbook, (
10Walter
Scott, The Story of Our English Bible, (Pensacola, Fl: PCC, 1995), 27.
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