Difference between revisions of "Higgaion"

<p> '''Higga'ion.''' (meditation). A word which occurs three times in the book of Psalms - &nbsp;Psalms 9:16; &nbsp;Psalms 19:14; &nbsp;Psalms 92:3. (margin). The word has two meanings, one of a general character, implying thought; reflection, and another, in &nbsp;Psalms 9:16 and &nbsp;Psalms 92:3, of a technical nature, the precise meaning of which cannot at this distance of time be determined. (Canon Cook says that it probably means an interlude, giving musical expression to the feelings suggested by the preceding words . - Editor). </p>

<p> ("meditation"), from hagah "to meditate." Found &nbsp;Psalms 9:16; &nbsp;Psalms 19:14; &nbsp;Psalms 92:3 margin "upon the harp with musing" (&nbsp;Lamentations 3:61). A call to solemn reflection on God's dealings. The [[Selah]] (a pause in the music) follows to give time for meditation. </p>

<p> '''Higgaion''' (hig-gâ'yon). A term occurring three times, &nbsp;Psalms 9:16; &nbsp;Psalms 19:14 (translated "meditation"), and &nbsp;Psalms 92:3 (translated "solemn sound"). It probably was originally a musical term which acquired the additional signification of solemn thought or meditation. </p>

<p> (Heb. higgayon', הַגָּיוֹן ) occurs in &nbsp;Psalms 92:3, where, according to Gesenius, it signifies the murmuring (Farst, low or solemn) tone of the harp, Sept. μετ᾿ ᾠδῆς ἐν κιθάρᾷ. In &nbsp;Psalms 9:17, [[Higgaion]] Selah is a musical sign, prob. for a pause in the instrumental interlude, Sept. ᾠδὴ διὰ ψάλματος; and so Symn. Aqu. and Vulg. (See [[Selah]]). In Psalm 19:15 the term signifies (and is rendered) meditation, in &nbsp;Lamentations 3:62 a device. "Mendelsson translates it meditation, thought, idea. Knapp (Die Psalmen) identifies it in &nbsp;Psalms 9:17 with the Arabic הגי, and הגא, ‘ to mock,' and hence-his rendering ‘ What a shout of laughter!' (because the wicked are entrapped in their own snares); but in &nbsp;Psalms 92:4 he translates it by ‘ Lieder' (songs). R. David Kimchi likewise assigns two separate meanings to the word; on &nbsp;Psalms 9:17, he says, This aid is for us (a subject of) meditation and thankfulness,' while in his commentary on the passage, &nbsp;Psalms 92:4, he gives to the same word the signification of melody, This is the melody of the hymn when it is recited (played) on the harp.' ‘ We will meditate on this forever' (Rashi, Comment. on &nbsp;Psalms 9:17). In Psalms 9; Psalms 17, Aben Ezra's comment on ‘ Higgaion Selah' is, ‘ this will I record in truth:' on &nbsp;Psalms 92:4 he says, ‘ Higgaion means the melody of the hymn, or it is the name of a musical instrument.' It would seem, then, that Higgaion has two meanings, one of a general character implying thought, reflection, from הגה (comp. יהגיון לבי, &nbsp;Psalms 9:17, and והגיונם עלי כל היום, &nbsp;Lamentations 3:62), and another in &nbsp;Psalms 9:17, and &nbsp;Psalms 92:4, of a technical nature, bearing on the import of musical sounds or signs well known in the age of David, but the precise meaning of which cannot at this distance of time be determined." (See Psalms). </p>

<p> ''''' hi ''''' - ''''' gā´yon ''''' , ''''' hi ''''' - ''''' gı̄´on ''''' ( הגּיון , <i> ''''' higgāyōn ''''' </i> ): The meaning of this word is uncertain. Two interpretations are possible; the one based on an allied Arabic root gives "a deep vibrating sound," the other derived from the Greek versions of &nbsp; Psalm 9:16 , where we read <i> '''''higgāyōn Ṣelāh''''' </i> , takes it to mean an instrumental interlude. See Psalms . </p>