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Day 297

Psalm 88:1a "O LORD, God of my salvation..."

Day 297 – Psalm 88

“O LORD, God of my salvation…” Psalm 88:1a

SUPERSCRIPTION

A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath Leannoth.” A Contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite.

We have a rather elaborate Superscription here.

1. A Song

This psalm was meant to be sung as a song.

2. A Psalm of the sons of Korah

This is a collective reference to the psalms associated with the sons of Korah.

3. To the Chief Musician

This is a standard reference. All psalms were entrusted to the Chief Musician.

a) He would archive the psalms.

b) He would see to the employment of the psalms in various religious events.

4. Set to Mahalath Leannoth

This is probably the name of the music. Each psalm was assigned a name.

5. A contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite

a) He was one of the sons of Kohath (1 Chronicles 6:33).
b) He was known as “Heman the singer” (1 Chronicle 6:33b).
c) Appointment from King David:-
i) These singers were appointed by King David (1 Chronicles 6:31).
ii) They were set aside for “the service of song in the house of the Lord”.
iii) They had an active ministry even before Solomon’s temple was built (1 Chronicles 6:32).
iv) They continued to minister in Solomon’s Temple (1 Chronicles 6:32).
v) There were many singers and thus they had to be assigned according to their order (1 Chronicles 6:32).
d) This particular psalm
This could well have been written by Heman the Ezrahite. Nevertheless, it was classified as belonging to “the sons of Korah”.