Lamnatzeach

LAMNATZEACH. This is an Hebrew Word¹, which we read in the Beginning of many Psalms. In the Septuagint and Vulgate it is translated, In finem, for the End, or for Eternity. Many understand this Word as relating to the coming of Jesus Christ, who appeared in the World at the End of the Times and Ages, preordained for this Purpose. Others interpret it of the calling of the Gentiles and Reprobation of the Jews: Others again of Eternity or the last Judgment; but these Explanations are rather moral and mystical than literal. There are some who construe, In finem, by always. A Psalm which deserves to be eternally in the Mouths and Memories of the faithful.

The Greek Interpreters Aquila, Symmachus and Theodotion, render the Hebrew, Lamnatzeach, victorious, or who giveth Victory, or a Song upon some Victory. But if we examine the Text of the Psalm to which this Title is prefixed, we generally find nothing at all relating to Victory. Wherefore this Translation cannot be maintained as literal. They who suppose these Titles to relate to the Victories of Jesus Christ, and so explain them, open indeed a larger Field for themselves, since our Saviour overcame the World, Death, and the Devil by his Sufferings, Humiliations, and Death, as well as by his Resurrection, Ascension, and glorious Mysteries; but we look for a grammatical and literal Explanation.

The Generality of modern Interpreters maintain with the Rabbins, that the Hebrew, Lamnatzeach, signifies to the Master of the Musick, or to him who presides over the Class of Singers, or Musicians, who sung in the Temple. It is certain, that the Verb Natzach, whence Lamnatzeach is derived, signifies to have the Direction of Workmen², to preside over Singers or Musicians. There is no Passage wherein the Word Lamnatzeach is to be met with, which might not easily be explained in this Sense. This therefore is, in all Probability, its true Signification.

There was a great Number of Levites in the Temple, who were employed in singing the Praises of God. Every Company of Singers or Musicians had its particular President or Master. We see a long Enumeration of them in the Chronicles, which concludes 1 Chro. vi. 31.with these Words: These are they whom David set over the Service of the Song in the House of the Lord. The principal of these Masters were Asaph, Heman, Ethan, and Jeduthan. The Companies of Singers were distinguished not only by their Families, and the Rank they held in the Temple, but likewise by the musical Instruments they used. Every one of these Companies had their particular President or Natzeach. Chenaniah, for Example, was celebrated for the Strength and Sweetness of his Voice; his Care was to preserve the Harmony of their Musick, or to tune and guide the Quire of Singers: And 1 Chro. xv. 22.Chenaniah chief of the Levites was for Song: He instructed about the Song, because he was skilful. When the Ark was removed to Jerusalem, Nenaiah presided over the Band of young Women who sung in this Ceremony. 1 Chro. xv. 18. 20. Pf. xi.In the Titles of the Psalms we see some for Example, which are addressed to the President of the Eighth, or of the third Band. Others were set over those who played upon Neginah, that is to say, upon a musical Instrument which was played on with the Fingers.

There were some of these Menatzeachs, or Presidents in the Courts of Princes, directing the Companies of Musicians of both Sexes which were employed there, as well as elsewhere in the religious Ceremonies. Upon Festivals and Rejoycings, and solemn mournful Occasions, there were People who sung and played upon Instruments, and all this was performed with Method. Among the Women who were hired to mourn, as well as those of the same Sex who were Musicians, there was a female President, who directed the Company, and tuned their Lamentations. As soon as David had composed any Pieces of sacred Poetry, he gave them generally to Asaph, to have them set and sung in the Temple. This we are to understand from Scripture, when it says that Asaph prophesied according to the 1 Chr. xxv. 2.Order of the King; and we find several Psalms entitled to Asaph President of the Musick. David himself did not think it below him sometimes to preside over the Quires of Musicians, and direct a Band of Singers, this is what we may infer from the Psalms with Titles such as these: To David the Servant of God, President of the Musick. Pf. xi. and xxxvi. or to David Head of the Musick.

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