(sung to the the tune of...)
A Maskil is a psalm with something special to teach. Asaph was a Levite, a musical teacher and leader.
As one of the musically inclined, I wonder what I would have said had he handed me the score for Psalm 78 - all 72 verses. How much does this thing weigh? Are the notes going to be on the screen? Do we have to memorize this by Temple? Can we use music stands?
Was it broken down into movements, like Handel's Messiah? Did it start out with trumpets to get their attention?
"My people, hear my instruction, listen to what I say."
Or did it start out with a soft flute to make you curious and want to listen?
As it tells the story in verses 9-11, did it move around from part to part? Did it start with everyone singing, "The Ephraimite archers turned back on the day of battle"?
(Sopranos - staccato) "They did not keep God's covenant,"
(Basses only - low and hard) "and refused to live by his law."
How does one sing the history of a people? The pervading theme of this people was rebellion against God, and God's faithfulness toward them. In verse 22, they are in disbelief and unreliance, and by verse 25, God has sent them an abundant supply of food. Musically, can you feel the ebb and flow from thundering drums of rebellion and God's fury, to strings and winds playing his compassion and forgiveness?
God was their rock, but their hearts were insincere toward Him.
He brought them to His holy land, then they treacherously turned away.
And then comes the "Hallelujah Chorus,"sort of, in verse 65,
"Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep...He beat back his foes...He chose instead the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loved...He chose David his servant...He brought him...to be shepherd over His people Jacob - over Israel...and guided them with his skillful hands."
Asaph starts out by reminding the Israelites that this is important stuff. Their history mattered. It mattered that they knew from whence they had come. It mattered that the next generation knew why they were who they were, and how they had become that way. He did not keep secret their shortcomings and failings.
"We must not hide them from their children, but must tell a future generation."
As I write my song, my Maskil - what doe sit sound like? Is there more rebellion than reliance? Is there more dissonance than resolution? Or am I sharing the lessons I've learned with the next generation, and singing "the praises of the Lord, His might, and the wonderful works He has performed"?
- submitted by Andrea Eller
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