Psalm 56 Trust in God Under Persecution II

II. Type- Lamentation NB the different types of Psalms
A. Lament- begins with description of distress, petition to God for deliverance, judgment on the evil doers, promise or vow after deliverance, confidence that God heard or will hear the plea
B. Other types: Thanksgiving or Todah, Hymns, Royal Psalms (focus on the king), Mount Zion Psalms, Wisdom or Torah, Misc. Psalms

III. Superscription
A. The Dove on Far-off Terebinths

Terebinths
1. Any of several usually small trees of the genus Pistacia of the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, especially P. Terebinthus, formerly an important source of tanning material and turpentine.
2. The turpentine-tree, Pistacia Terebinthus, native in the lands about the Mediterranean, the source of Chian turpentine.
3. Turpentine.

Part of the superscription of Psalm 56:1 (NRSV; compare REB, NIV) probably a reference to the secular tune to which the psalm was to be sung. “Hind of the Dawn” ( Psalm 22:1 REB) and “Lilies” ( Psalm 45:1 NIV) are possibly other hymn tunes. An alternative explanation relates to the association of doves with the ritual of atonement. In this case the title indicates an atonement psalm .

Arius would use secular tunes, with words of heresy, to impact his woeful ideas. Be careful of the words you listen to, the tune is the carrier of the substance, a platter or tray as one musician called it.

Power of song, supernatural element of music, proof of eternal, endless to it, go on forever

Secular songs can bring glory to God without awareness by participating in the miracle of music

Music in heaven, angels sang, wonderous about music. Handles with respect, reverence. Words matter.