7 occurrences in 7 dictionaries

Reference: Maschil

American

Is a term found as a title of thirteen Psalms, and imports one that instructs or makes to understand. Some interpreters think it means an instrument of music; but it more probably signifies an instructive song.

Easton

instructing, occurs in the title of thirteen Psalms (32, 42, 44, etc.). It denotes a song enforcing some lesson of wisdom or piety, a didactic song. In Ps 47:7 it is rendered, Authorized Version, "with understanding;" Revised Version, marg., "in a skilful psalm."

Fausets

Title of Psalm 32; Psalm 42; Psalm 44; Psalm 45; Psalm 52-55; Psalm 74; Psalm 78; Psalm 88; Psalm 89; Psalm 142. "Instruction" is the special design of such psalms, as the Hebrew cognate verb (Ps 32:8) 'aschilka, "I will instruct thee" implies. All Scripture is for "instruction" (2Ti 3:16). This title draws attention to the instruction in psalms where this design is not at first sight apparent. Gesenius and Roediger explain "any sacred song relating to divine things, whose end it is to promote wisdom and piety." Compare the sense of maschil Ps 47:7, "sing ye praises with understanding," i.e. edification, spiritual "wisdom" (Col 3:16). Also Ps 53:2, "God looked down ... to see if there were any that did understated" (maschil). The "instruction" aimed at is to bring reckless man to spiritual understanding, the true wisdom (Ps 111:10; Da 12:10).

See Verses Found in Dictionary

Hastings

Smith

Mas'chil

(song of wisdom), the title of thirteen Psalms 32,45/type/common'>45,44,45/type/common'>45,52-55,74,78,68,69,142 Ewald regards

Ps 47:7

(Authorized Version, "sing ye praises with understanding;" Heb. maschil) as the key to the meaning of maschil, which in his opinion is a musical term denoting a melody requiring great skill in its execution.

Watsons

MASCHIL, a title, or inscription, at the head of several psalms of David and others, in the book of Psalms. Thus Psalm 32 is inscribed, "A Psalm of David, Maschil;" and Psalm 42, "To the chief musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah." The word Maschil, in the Hebrew, signifies, "he that instructs;" though some interpreters take it for the name of a musical instrument. Some of the rabbins believe that, in repeating the psalms which have this inscription, it was usual to add an interpretation or explication to them. Others, on the contrary, think it shows the clearness and perspicuity of such psalms, and that they needed no particular explication. The most probable opinion is, that Maschil means an instructive song.