Glossary

the primary biblical text
for Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church
—Volume II: Vigils, Day Prayer & Compline

The following proper nouns name people and places mentioned in the biblical text for the Turning to God’s Word Catholic Bible study Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church—Volume II: Vigils, Day Prayer & Compline. The printed study uses The Abbey Psalms and Canticles as a primary text for English translations of the psalms. Because this translation is unavailable online, unless otherwise noted, the Turning to God’s Word website links to the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE) for the psalms and all other Scripture.

—A—

Aaron—Aaron was a Levite who became the first high priest identified in the Bible. He is the brother of Moses and was appointed to speak for Moses when Moses was sent to free the Israelites in bondage in Egypt. Moses and Aaron are descendants of Jacob’s third son Levi; Miriam is their sister. The name Aaron means “lofty” or “exalted.” See Moses. Psalm 105 in Lesson 7, Psalm 106 in Lesson 21.
Abimelech—Abimelech refers to a priest at Nob who assisted David in his escape from Saul by giving David consecrated bread to eat and the sword of Goliath with which to fight. [The superscript at the beginning of Psalm 34 states that David feigned madness in the presence of Abimelech; this appears to be an error. The First Book of Samuel 21:10–15 records that David left Abimelech and when to Gath, where he feigned madness before the king, Achish.] The name Abimelech means “my father is king,” or “father of a king.” Psalms 34 (see acrostic psalms) and Psalm 36 in Lesson 15, Psalm 52 in Lesson 17.
Abraham—The Old Testament frequently refers to three major patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and their covenant with God. Details of their lives are recorded in the book of Genesis. Abraham is honored as father of the faith by Christians and Jews. The name Abraham means “father of multitudes” or “father of many.” Prior to receiving that name from God, Abraham’s name was Abram, which means “exalted father.” Psalm 105 in Lesson 7.
Absalom—Absalom refers to David’s third son who died while attempting to usurp his father’s throne. Details are recorded in the thirteenth through eighteenth chapters in the Second Book of Samuel. Absalom’s mother was Maach, and he was born at Hebron. The name Absalom means “father of peace.” Psalm 3 in Lesson 3.
acrostic psalms—Acrostic is form of alphabetic poetry in which every line or verse is ordered around a specific letter of the alphabet. Psalm 119 is one of the best-known examples in Scripture; every eight verses begin with the same Hebrew letter. All 22 of the Hebrew letters are consonants, and they appear in alphabetic order in Psalm 119. Acrostic poetry in Volume II of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church includes most of Psalm 119, as well as Psalms 9, 10, 25, 34, and 37; Volume I covers Psalm 119:105–112, and Psalms 111, 112, and 145.
Adam—The first human person created by God was Adam. Details of his Creation and Fall are recorded in the first three chapters of the book of Genesis. The name Adam means “ground” or “earth.” Psalm 31 in Lesson 3, Psalm 58 in Lesson 10, Psalm 89 in Lesson 13, Psalm 66 in Lesson 15.
Aleph—The first letter in the Hebrew alphabet, Aleph (sometimes translated as El) also is the first letter featured in Psalm 119. It derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “ox” and is associated with strength, power, and leadership. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:1–8 in Lesson 16. 
Alleluia—Alleluia means “praise the Lord” and is a transliteration of the Hebrew word “hallelujah,” which combines Hallel, the Hebrew word for “praise,” with the LORD’s name of Yahweh. Psalm 105 in Lesson 7, Psalm 106 in Lesson 21.
Almighty—”Almighty” is a title for the divinity that emphasizes God’s power. See LORD / Lord / LORD God; God. Psalm 91 in Lesson 29.
Amalek—Amalek was the grandson of Esau, who was the twin brother of Jacob (Israel). Amalek can refer to Esau’s grandson, to one of Esau’s grandson’s offspring by the same name, or it can designate Amalek’s collective descendants, also called Amalekites. The book of Exodus 17:8–17 describes how the descendants of Amalek were the first of the Canaanites to attack the Israelites after those descendants of Jacob were rescued from slavery in Egypt. The name Amalek means “the evil eye of doubt.” Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Amen—”Amen” is a Hebrew word meaning “so be it” or “truly.” Amen is used in the psalms to express assent to the hymns; it often emphasizes the certainty of God’s words. Psalm 106 in Lesson 21.
Ammon—Ammon refers to land east of the Jordan River and Dead Sea, and north of Moabite territory. Ammon was occupied by descendants of Ben-Ammi, the son of an incestuous union between Lot and  his younger daughter. The book of Genesis 19:30–38 describes the birth of Ben-Ammi. Descendants of Ben-Ammi are called Ammonites. The name Ben-Ammi means “son of my people.” Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Anointed—In the psalms, “the LORD’s Anointed” designates a person chosen by God for a special purpose. Old Testament priests, prophets, and kings traditionally were anointed; Christians interpret the Messiah or “Anointed One” to be Jesus, who was anointed by God to take on the threefold role of ultimate priest, prophet, and king (paragraph 783 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church). Psalm 2 in Lesson 1.
Aram-Haharaim—Aram-haharaim (sometimes translated as Aram-Naharaim) refers to Aram—present-day Syria—as the “land between two rivers.” Its mention in the superscript at the beginning of Psalm 60 indicates David was experiencing concern about conflict with the Syrians at the time he wrote Psalm 60. See Aram-Sobah. Psalm 60 in Lesson 5.
Aram-Sobah—Aram-Sobah (sometimes translated as Aram-Zoba) refers to a region near Damascus in present-day Syria. See Aram-Haharaim. Psalm 60 in Lesson 5.
Asaph—Psalms 50 and Psalms 73 through 83 are thought to have been written by Asaph, a prominent Levite musician. During the time of David, Asaph was a leader of Temple musicians. Asaph’s psalms often reflect themes of lament, God’s judgment, and the importance of worship. The name Asaph means “gatherer” or “collector” and sometimes is interpreted as “God has gathered.” Psalms believed to have been written by Asaph and covered in Volume II of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church include Psalms 50, 73–76, 78–79, and 82–83; Volume I covers Psalms 77 and 80–81. See David; Ethan; Ezrahite; Heman; Jeduthun; Moses; Solomon; sons of Korah.
Assyria—Ancient Assyria was located near the upper Tigris River in northern Mesopotamia; it  corresponds to areas of present-day Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Assyria was a powerful empire during the time of the Old Testament. Its name derived from the ancient city of Assur (sometimes spelled Ashur), the first capital of Assyrian civilization. Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Avenger of Blood—”Avenger of Blood” is a title that portrays the divinity as a God who remembers the cries of the afflicted and takes action to avenge their suffering. It is rooted in the Old Testament practice of a kinsman avenging a murder.  In the psalms, the title is applied to emphasize God’s role as a just and merciful judge. See LORD / Lord / LORD God; God. Psalm 9 in Lesson 3 (see acrostic psalms).
Ayin—Ayin (sometimes spelled Ahn) is the sixteenth letter featured in Psalm 119. Ayin derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “eye” and is associated with seeing, watching, and knowledge. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:121–128 in Lesson 24.

—B—

Baal—Baal was the name of a pagan Canaanite god of storms and fertility. The plural Baals refers to a collective of pagan Canaanite gods. Because the LORD was considered a warrior God, when the descendants of Jacob settled in the land of Canaan they turned to the worship of local deities that they believed could to aid farming through control of the weather and animal reproduction. The word Baal means “owner.” Psalm 106 in Lesson 21.
Baal of Peor—Baal of Peor was a Moabite deity whose worship included sexual immorality and sacrifices to idols. By participating in these practices, the Israelites angered God and were punished by a plague that killed many of the descendants of Jacob. Details are recorded in the book of Numbers 25:1–13. See Baal; Peor; Phinehas. Psalm 106 in Lesson 21.
Bashan—Bashan refers to a fertile region east of the Jordan River known for rich pastures and strong oak trees. Bashan was conquered by the Israelites and given to the half-tribe of Manasseh. Details are recorded in the book of Numbers 21:33–35. The phrase “strong bulls of Bashan” highlights danger. Bashan also is associated with Og, the king of Bashan. Today the ancient area of Bashan is known as Golan Heights. The name Bashan means “flat ground” or “fertile land.” Psalm 22 in Lesson 11, Psalm 68 in Lesson 13.
Benjamin—Benjamin was the youngest of the 12 sons of Jacob. The name Benjamin, given by his father, means “son of my old age.” Benjamin originally was named Benoni, which means “son of my sorrow,” by his mother Rachel, who died shortly after giving birth to him. The favorite wife of Jacob, Rachel also was the mother of Joseph. Descendants of Benjamin are called Benjaminites (sometimes spelled Benjamites). The story of Benjamin’s birth can be found in the book of Genesis 35:16–20. Psalm 7 in Lesson 9, Psalm 68 in Lesson 13.
Beth—Beth (sometimes spelled Bet or Beyt) is the second letter the second letter featured in Psalm 119. Beth derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “house” and is associated with family and home. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:9–16 in Lesson 16.
books—The psalms are divided into five “books” (Psalms 1–41, 42–72, 73–89, 90–106, 107–150). The first four “books” end with concluding doxologies; Psalm 150 serves as a doxology for the entire collection. “Book one” shares a theme of Creation with the book of Genesis; “book two” corresponds to the book of Exodus and the redemption of Israel; “book three” to the book of Leviticus and Temple worship; “book four” to the book of Numbers and humanity’s sojourn on earth; and “book five” to the book of Deuteronomy and offering suitable praise to God. See doxologies.

—C—

Canaan—Canaan was a son of Ham and grandson of Noah; his descendants are listed in the Table of Nations in the tenth chapter of the book of Genesis. The land promised by God to Abraham’s descendants (the Promised Land) was known as the land of Canaan, an area settled by Canaan and his descendants after the Great Flood. Canaanites is a catchall term that refers to a variety of peoples who inhabited the area before the Israelites. These include the Sidonians, the Hittites, the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. The Table of Nations in the tenth chapter of the book of Genesis lists the descendants of Noah’s sons after the Great Flood. Canaan means “humbled” or “subdued.” Psalm 105 in Lesson 7, Psalm 106 in Lesson 21.
Caph—Caph (sometimes spelled Kaph) is the eleventh letter featured in Psalm 119. Caph derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “open palm” and is associated with allowing and taming. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:81–88 in Lesson 22.
Choirmaster—Choirmaster appears in superscripts throughout the psalms. During David’s time,  choirmaster referred to the musical leader of the Temple; it sometimes is translated as “chief musician” or “director of music.” 
Cush—Cush, a Benjaminite, was an enemy of David’s. Cush also may refer to the oldest son of Ham, a grandson of Noah and the father of Nimrod. The name Cush means “black” or “burnt”; the land of Cush describes Ethiopia or Sudan. The Table of Nations in the tenth chapter of the book of Genesis lists the descendants of Noah’s sons after the Great Flood. Psalm 7 in Lesson 9.

 —D—

Daleth—Daleth (sometimes referred to as Dal or Dalet) is the fourth letter featured in Psalm 119. Daleth derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “door” and is associated with moving and entrances. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:25–32 in Lesson 18.
Dathan—Dathan was a member of the tribe of Reuben. Along with his brother Abiram and another Reubenite named Korah, Dathan rebelled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. This led to Dathan and Abiram and  members of their households perishing when the earth opened and swallowed them. Details are recorded in the book of Numbers 16:1–35. The name Dathan means “fountain”; the name Abiram means “my father is exalted.” See sons of Korah. Psalm 106 in Lesson 21.
daughter Zion—”Daughter” is a term often used in Scripture to describe people born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. In the psalms, “daughter Zion” collectively describes God’s people descended from Jacob and associated with Jerusalem, a city frequently referred to as Zion. See Jerusalem; Zion. Psalm 73 in Lesson 11.
David—David is thought to have composed 73 of the 150 psalms in the Old Testament. Details of his life are recorded in the First and Second Books of Samuel and the First Book of the Kings. Born into the line of Judah, David was chosen by God to replace Saul as ruler of the descendants of Jacob. The seventh chapter in the Second Book of Samuel  contains God’s promise to raise up one of David’s descendants as an eternal king. The name David means “beloved” or “friend.” Psalms believed to have been written by David and covered in Volume II of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church include Psalms 1–4, 6–7, 9, 12–14, 17–18, 22–26, 28–29, 31, 34–35, 37–40, 52–56, 58–61, 64, 66, 68–70, 86, 103, 109, and 140; Volume I covers Psalms 5, 8, 11, 15–16, 19–21, 27, 30, 32, 36, 41, 51, 57, 62–63, 65, 101, 108, 110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138–139, and 141–145. See Asaph; Ethan; Ezrahite; Heman; Jeduthun; Moses; Solomon; sons of Korah.
“The Doe at Daybreak”—This title in the superscript at the beginning of Psalm 22 indicates that it was meant to be sung to the tune of a song called “The Doe at Daybreak” (sometimes translated as “The Doe at Dawn”). Psalm 22 in Lesson 11
“Do Not Destroy”—This title appears in superscripts at the beginning of three psalms in Volume II of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church. It indicates that these psalms were meant to be sung to the tune of a song called “Do Not Destroy.” Psalm 59 in Lesson 5, Psalm 58 in Lesson 10, Psalm 75 in Lesson 12.
Doeg the Edomite—A henchman of Saul, Doeg the Edomite massacred the priests at Nob after betraying David. Details can be found in the twenty-first and twenty-second chapters in the First Book of Samuel. The name Doeg means “fearful” or “anxious.” See Edom / Edomite. Psalm 52 in Lesson 17.
“The Dove of Distant Places”—This title in the superscript at the beginning of Psalm 56 indicates that psalm was meant to be sung to the tune of a song called “The Dove of Distant Places.” Psalm 56 in Lesson 27.
doxologies—The word “doxology” means “liturgical praise of God.” It combines the Greek words for “glory” and “saying.” A doxology is a short hymn of praise to God often added at the end of psalms or other prayers. The biblical psalms are arranged in five “books,” each of which ends with a doxology.  Psalms that close one of these five “books” and are covered in Volume II of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church include Psalm 89 in Lesson 13 and Psalm 106 in Lesson 2. Three additional psalms that close one of the five “books” are covered in Volume I: Psalms 41, 72, and 150; the doxology at the end of Psalm 150 acts as closing for the entire collection of psalms. See books.

—E—

Edom / Edomite—A region south of the Dead Sea, Edom eventually became the home of Jacob’s twin brother Esau. The land was called Idumaea by the Greeks; the English spelling is Idumea. The book of Genesis introduces a long history of bad blood between the descendants of Jacob—also called Israel—and the descendants of Esau—also called Edom. The name Edom means “red.” Esau’s descendants are called Edomites. Psalm 60 in Lesson 5, Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Egypt / land of Egypt—The land of Egypt is territory surrounding the Nile River in the northeast corner of Africa. It was settled by descendants of Egypt, a son of Ham and grandson of Noah; the land of Egypt sometimes is referred to as the land of Ham. Throughout the Old Testament Egyptians are seen as enemies of God’s people; alternately the land of Egypt appears as a place of refuge, especially during times of famine. Scholars are uncertain of the meaning of the word Egypt, but it appears to be related to the idea of “place.”  Psalm 105 in Lesson 7, Psalm 68 in Lesson 13, Psalm 106 in Lesson 21, Psalm 78 in Lesson 23.
Eighth Chord—In superscripts at the beginning of the psalms, the eighth chord typically refers to the octave chord, which is the repetition of the first note of a scale at the interval of an octave. Psalm 6 in Lesson 9, Psalm 12 in Lesson 23.
Endor—Endor (En-dor in some translations) refers to an ancient city located about four miles south of Mount Tabor in the Jezreel River Valley; Endor primarily is known as the home of the witch of Endor. [The television sit-com “Bewitched” included a secondary witch whose name was Endora—moderately amusing evidence that at least one of the show’s writers was familiar with the Old Testament.] In the First Book of Samuel 28:3–25, Saul secretly asks the witch of Endor to act as an intermediary so that he can speak with the prophet Samuel, who had died. Saul previously had outlawed sorcery, and while Samuel’s ghost does show up, he seems none too happy to have been summoned. Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Ephraim—Ephraim was the younger of Joseph’s two Egyptian-born sons who were adopted by Jacob; the elder was Manasseh, although Jacob intentionally promoted Ephraim to the privileges afforded an elder son. The descendants of both Ephraim and Manasseh were awarded territory in the Promised Land. For a time they were known as half-tribes, but they eventually came to be regarded as full tribes. The term Ephraim has a wide variety of meanings depending on context. Geographically the land of Ephraim refers to territory in the land of Canaan settled by the descendants of Ephraim. Because the capital of the former northern kingdom of Israel later was located in the territory allotted to Ephraim, Scripture sometimes refers to the entire northern kingdom as Ephraim. Ephraim negatively refers to the sinfulness of the God’s people who inhabited the northern kingdom of Israel; it refers in a positive way to Ephraim’s favored status and elevation to the place of firstborn by his grandfather. The story of Jacob’s adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh is recorded in the forty-eighth chapter in the book of Genesis. The name Ephraim means “fruitful.” Psalm 60 in Lesson 5, Psalm 78 in Lesson 23.
Ethan—Scholars think that Ethan (also called Ethan the Ezrahite) may have written Psalm 89 because he is mentioned in a superscript to that psalm. The name Ethan means “strong”or “enduring” and is associated with wisdom. See Asaph; David; Ezrahite; Heman; Jeduthun; Moses; Solomon; sons of Korah. Psalm 89 in Lesson 13.
Ethiopia—Ethiopia often is identified with Sheba. The Book of Isaiah 43:3 lists Ethiopia along with Egypt and Seba as places that God is willing to give as ransom for the descendants of Jacob. The name Ethiopia is the Greek form of the word Cush, which means “black.” See Cush. Psalm 68 in Lesson 13.
Ezrahite—The term Ezrahite probably refers to lineage and may suggest a connection to the tribe of Judah through Zerah, the twin brother of Perez; it could indicate connection to another tribe among the descendants of Jacob. The name Zerah means “brightness”; the name Perez means “breach” or “burst forth.” See Ethan; Heman. Psalm 89 in Lesson 13.

—F—

—G—

Gath—Gath was one of five major city-states in Philistia at the time of David. The others were Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gaza; all five are mentioned in the Book of Joshua 13:3. Gath, destroyed around 830 B.C. by Hazael, the king of Syria, was located about 35 miles southwest of Jerusalem about halfway to the Mediterranean Sea. The name Gath means “winepress.” Psalm 56 in Lesson 27.
Gebal—Gebal was an ancient Phoenician port known for its craftsmen; it also refers to a region south of the Dead Sea. It is the region of Gebal that is referenced in Psalm 83. The name Gebal means “mountain.” Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Gilead—Gilead refers to territory east of the Jordan River settled by members of the tribe of Benjamin. The twenty-first chapter in the Book of Judges records details of Benjaminites taking wives from Jabesh Gilead, a city in the territory. Gilead means either “hill of testimony” or “rocky region.” Psalm 60 in Lesson 5.
Gimel—Gimel (sometimes translated as Gam or Gamel) is the third letter featured in Psalm 119. Gimel derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “foot” and is associated with gathering and walking. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:17–24 in Lesson 16. 
God—The word “God” is used throughout the psalms to designate Elohim, which emphasizes the strength of God’s divinity. It is not unusual to see the word “LORD,” which emphasizes the sacredness of God’s name, used in the same psalm with God, Lord, LORD God, or other less frequently used titles for the deity. See LORD / Lord / LORD God.
God of Israel / God of Jacob—”God of Israel” and “God of Jacob” are titles for the divinity that draw attention to the covenant relationship between the Israelites and the God of their forefathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. See LORD / Lord / LORD God; God. Psalm 24 (the Invitatory for Wednesday Vigils) in Lessons 7 and 21, Psalm 46 (the Invitatory for Saturday Vigils) in Lessons 13 and 27, Psalm 106 in Lesson 21, Psalm 94 in Lesson 27.

—H—

Hagar—Hagar was the name of the Egyptian servant of Abraham’s wife Sarah (originally named Sarai). Sarah eventually had Hagar sent away, but God appeared to Hagar as an angel and promised her protection. The descendants of Ishmael, Hagar’s son by Abraham, continued to clash for centuries with the descendants of Abraham’s son Isaac, born to Sarah. The story of Hagar is recorded in the sixteenth chapter in the book of Genesis and repeated slightly differently in the twenty-first chapter. The book of Genesis contains several such instances of double versions (sometimes referred to as diptychs) of the same event. The name Hagar means “to flee.” Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Ham—See Egypt.
He—He (sometimes spelled Hey) is the fifth letter featured in Psalm 119. He (or Hey—to avoid mistaking the Hebrew letter “He” for the English pronoun “he”) derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “man with arms raised” and is associated with looking, revealing, and breath. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:33–40 in Lesson 18.
Heman—A Levite musician during the reigns of David and Solomon, Heman (also called Heman the Ezrahite) is identified with wisdom. Because Heman is named in the superscript at the beginning of Psalm 88, some scholars believe that he composed that psalm. The name Heman means “trusted.” See Asaph; David; Ethan; Ezrahite; Jethuthun; Moses; Solomon; sons of Korah. Psalm 88 in Lesson 14.
Hermon—Hermon refers to a mountain mentioned as a northern marker on the border of the Promised Land of Canaan. Some scholars associate Mount Hermon with the Transfiguration of Jesus, although the mountain is not named in the Gospels. The name Hermon means “sanctuary.” Psalm 89 in Lesson 13.
Heth—Heth (sometimes referred to as Hhet or Chet) is the eighth letter featured in Psalm 119. Heth derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “tent wall” and is associated with walls, being outside, and division. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:57–64 in Lesson 20.
Holy One of Israel—“Holy One of Israel” is a title for the divinity that emphasizes the sacred nature of God and God’s connection with the Israelites. See LORD / Lord / LORD God; God. Psalm 89 in Lesson 13, Psalm 71 in Lesson 17.
Horeb—See Mount Horeb. 

—I—

Ishmael—Ishmael, whose name means “God hears,” was the son of Abraham and Hagar, the Egyptian maid of Abraham’s wife Sarah. The beginning of centuries-old animosity between Ishmael and Isaac, the son later born to Abraham and Sarah, can be traced to the book of Genesis. The story of Ishmael is recorded in the sixteenth chapter in the book of Genesis and repeated slightly differently in the twenty-first chapter. The book of Genesis contains several such instances of double versions (sometimes referred to as diptychs) of the same event. The name Ishmael means “God hears.” Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Israel—Israel is a term with a variety of meanings, requiring readers to determine the author’s intent depending on context. Throughout the psalms, Israel refers either to the patriarch Jacob, who was renamed Israel by God, or to all of his descendants. At the time of David, Israel also referred to the kingdom that consisted of all of Jacob’s descendants. Later, Israel came to refer to the northern kingdom that includes all of the tribes except Judah and Benjamin. The fall of the northern kingdom to the Assyrians occurred in 722–721 B.C. Afterward, the territory became known as Samaria, the name of the former kingdom’s capital. Following the fall of the southern kingdom of Judah in 587–586 B.C., Israel usually refers to all of Jacob’s descendants. The land of Israel may mean the geographical territory of the former northern kingdom of Israel, or it may mean the entire area in the land of Canaan settled by all 12 of the tribes of Jacob. In the New Testament, the word Israel may refer to the Church as representative of the Christian people of God after the time of Jesus. The name Israel means “may God prevail” or “he who struggles with God”; the name Jacob means “supplanter.” Psalms 76 and 103 in Lesson 1, Psalm 53 in Lesson 6, Psalm 105 in Lesson 7, Psalm 22 in Lesson 11, Psalm 68 in Lesson 13, Psalm 78 in Lesson 23.

—J—

Jabin—Jabin is the name of a Canaanite king of Hazor. After oppressing the Israelites for 20 years, Jabin was killed at the River Kishon by the forces of the Israelite military commander Barak, acting on  counsel from the prophetess, Deborah. Details are recorded in the Book of Judges 4:1–24. The name Jabin means “perceptive.” Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Jacob—The Old Testament frequently refers to the covenant between God and the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Details of the lives of all three are recorded throughout the book of Genesis. The son of Isaac, Jacob was renamed Israel by God, and he became the father of 12 sons whose descendants make up the 12 tribes of Israel. The Psalmists occasionally use Jacob instead of Israel to refer to God’s people collectively. The name Jacob means “supplanter”; the name Israel means “may God prevail” or “he who struggles with God.” Psalm 76 in Lesson 1, Psalms 44 and 59 in Lesson 5, Psalm 53 in Lesson 6, Psalm 105 in Lesson 7, Psalm 22 in Lesson 11, Psalm 75 in Lesson 12, Psalm 78 in 23.
Jeduthun—Jeduthun was a Levite appointed by David to oversee music used in Temple worship; his  name appears in the superscript to Psalm 39. Most scholars think it likely that Jeduthun’s choir likely was tasked with leading the musical performance of that psalm. The name Jeduthun means “praising” or one who lauds.” See Asaph; David; Ethan; Ezrahite; Heman; Moses; Solomon; sons of Korah Psalm 39 in Lesson 4.
Jerusalem—Throughout most of the Old Testament, the descendants of Jacob recognize Jerusalem as their religious center. Originally a Jebusite stronghold, Jerusalem was conquered by David, who made it his capital. The city and Temple were destroyed by the Babylonians in 587–586 B.C. and later rebuilt after the Persian ruler Cyrus in 538 B.C. allowed the captives to return to their homeland from Babylon. In the Old Testament, Jerusalem can be referred to as “the Holy City,” “Zion,” “city of Zion,” or “city of David.”  The name Jerusalem means “city of peace.” Many scholars think it originally was known as Salem. See Zion. Psalm 68 in Lesson 13, Psalms 79 and 102 in Lesson 19.
Joab—Joab refers to David’s general and the son of David’s sister Zeruiah. Scholars consider the mention of Joab in Psalm 60 to be related to David’s lament over the successful military outcome of a campaign against Edom, and event briefly described in the Second Book of Samuel 8:13–14. The name Joab means “Yahweh is father.” Psalm 60 in Lesson 5.
Joseph—Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob, born to the patriarch’s wife Rachel. Joseph had two sons by his Egyptian wife, and their descendants became the two half-tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim and Manasseh were adopted by their grandfather Jacob, who intentionally promoted Ephraim to the privileges afforded an elder son—although Manasseh was the elder of the two boys. Both Ephraim and Manasseh inherited land in Canaan, and descendants of each joined the northern kingdom of Israel. The name Joseph means “may the LORD add increase.” Ephraim means “fruitful,” and Manasseh means “causing to forget.” Psalm 105 in Lesson 7.
Judah—Several places in the book of Genesis describe details in the life of Judah, fourth of the 12 sons of Jacob; Jacob’s wife Leah was his mother. Geographically, Judah refers to territory in the land of Canaan settled by the tribe of Judah. After the death of Solomon, the 10 tribes split from the united kingdom. The southern kingdom, made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, took the name Judah. After Judah fell to the Babylonians in 587–586 B.C., this geographical area began to be referred to as the land of Judah; the Romans later called it Judea. Jesus was born into the line of Judah. The name Judah means “praise.” Psalm 76 in Lesson 1, Psalm 60 in Lesson 5, Psalm 69 in Lesson 11, Psalm 68 in Lesson 13.
Judge—The title Judge emphasizes God’s key role as judge of the all Creation. See LORD / Lord / LORD God; God. Psalm 94 in Lesson 27.

—K—

Kadesh—Kadesh, sometimes called Kadesh-Barnea, served as a crucial campsite for the Israelites during their wandering in the wilderness. The thirteenth and fourteenth chapters in the book of Numbers record details of the Israelites’ beginning foray into the land of Canaan. The name Kadesh means “holy” or “sacred.” Psalm 29 (the Invitatory for Monday Vigils) in Lessons 3 and 17.
Kedar—The book of Genesis 25:13 lists Kedar as the second son of Ishmael; Kedar also refers to his descendants, who were known for their nomadic lifestyle, living in tents and herding livestock in the desert regions of Arabia. Kedar and Meshech are mentioned in Psalm 120 as locations where warmongers dwell. The name Kedar means “dark one.” Psalm 120 in Lesson 2.
Kishon—See River Kishon.
Koph—Koph (sometimes spelled Quph) is the nineteenth letter featured in Psalm 119. Koph derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “sun on the horizon” and is associated with condensation, circles, and time. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:145–152 in Lesson 26.
Korah—See sons of Korah.
Korahites—See sons of Korah.

—L—

Lamed—Lamed (sometimes translated as Lam) is the twelfth letter featured in Psalm 119. Lamed derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “shepherd’s staff” and is associated with teaching, authority, and yoking. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:89–96 in Lesson 22.
Lament—A large number of psalms are classified as laments, either individual (personal) or communal. The classification “Lament” is included in a superscript at the beginning of Psalm 7, though most laments are not so noted. Psalm 7 in Lesson 9.
land of Canaan—See Canaan.
land of Ephraim—See Ephraim.
land of Ham—See Egypt.
land of the Philistines—See Philistia.
land of Shechem—See Shechem.
Lebanon—Biblical Lebanon refers to a mountainous region located north of present-day Israel and known for its cedar trees. This ancient region of Lebanon was believed to be part of the land of Canaan promised to Abraham’s descendants; it is not synonymous with the present-day country of Lebanon. The name Lebanon means “white.” Psalm 29 (the Invitatory for Monday Vigils) in Lessons 3 and 17, Psalm 104 in Lesson 15, Psalm 37 in Lesson 17 (see acrostic psalms).
Leviathan—Leviathan refers to a large, mythical sea monster mentioned in the Old Testament Books of Isaiah and Job, and in Psalm 74. The name Leviathan means “twisted.” Psalm 74 in Lesson 19.
“The Lily of Testimony” / “Lilies”—Found in superscripts at the beginning of two psalms covered in Volume II of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church, “The Lily of Testimony” (sometime translated as “Lilies”) is thought by scholars to refer to a particular tune used in Israelite worship. Psalm 60 in Lesson 5, Psalm 69 in Lesson 11.
LORD / Lord / LORD God—Throughout the psalms, a variety of words refer to the divinity. Some translations, including The Abbey Psalms and Canticles, use small capital letters for the word “LORD” to designate “Yahweh,” the most sacred name of the divinity. The word “God” is used to translate “Elohim,” a name for the divinity that emphasizes God’s strength. A third word, “Adonai,” is translated as “Lord” (regular upper and lowercase letters) and is used to refer to the divinity as master. In the New Testament, “Lord” in regular upper and lowercase letters is used as a title for Jesus. See God. In Turning to God’s Word printed Catholic Bible studies, small capital letters are used when “LORD” translates “Yahweh.” Because small capital letters are not an option on the website, Turning to God’s Word website materials use all capital letters (“LORD”) to differentiate Yahweh from Elohim or Adonai.
LORD of hosts / LORD God of hosts—“LORD of hosts” and “LORD God of hosts” are titles that emphasizes a warrior God leading the armies—or hosts—of heaven. See LORD / Lord / LORD God; God. Psalm 94 in Lesson 27. Psalm 59 in Lesson 5, Psalm 24 (the Invitatory for Wednesday Vigils) in Lessons 7 and 21, Psalm 46 (the Invitatory for Saturday Vigils) in Lesson 27.

—M—

Mahalet—The Hebrew word Mahalet, which occurs in the superscript to Psalm 53, means “royal” or “noble” and often is associated with queens. Most scholars think that it indicates a particular musical style, possibly connected to chanting. Psalm 53 in Lesson 6.
Mahalet Leannoth—Mahalet Leannoth appears in the superscript to Psalm 88. Most scholars think that it indicate a particular type of pious chanting. See Mahalet. Psalm 88 in Lesson 14.
“The Maidens”—This title in the superscript at the beginning of Psalm 46 indicates that it was meant to be sung to the tune of a song called “The Maidens.” Psalm 46 (the Invitatory for Saturday Vigils) in Lessons 13 and 27.
Manasseh—Manasseh was the elder of Joseph’s two Egyptian-born sons who were adopted by Jacob; the younger was Ephraim, although Jacob intentionally promoted Ephraim to the privileges afforded the elder son. The descendants of both Manasseh and Ephraim were awarded territory in the Promised Land. For a time they were known as half-tribes, but they eventually came to be regarded as full tribes. The story of Jacob’s adoption of Manasseh and Ephraim is recorded in the forty-eighth chapter in the book of Genesis. The name Manasseh means “forgetting.” See Ephraim. Psalm 60 in Lesson 5.
Maskil—The Hebrew word Maskil appears in superscripts at the beginning of nine psalms in Volume II of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church. Scholars debate the exact meaning of maskil, but it generally is thought to refer to instruction and wisdom. See Miktam. Psalm 44 in Lesson 5, Psalm 53 in Lesson 6, Psalms 54 and 55 in Lesson 8, Psalm 89 in Lesson 13, Psalm 88 in Lesson 14,  Psalm 52 in Lesson 17, Psalm 74 in Lesson 19, Psalm 78 in Lesson 23.
Massah—The word Massah means “testing” or “trial.” Along with Meribah, it refers to Rephidim, known as the place where God tested the Israelites. Details are recorded in the book of Exodus 17:1–17. See Meribah. Psalm 95 (the Invitatory for Sunday Vigils) in Lessons 1 and 15.
Mem—Mem is the thirteenth letter featured in Psalm 119. Mem derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “water” and is associated with chaos, might, and blood. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:97–104 in Lesson 24.
Memorial—The word “Memorial” in a psalms superscript indicates that particular psalm was intended to serve as a memorial, suggesting that the composer meant it as 1) a remembrance of God’s past faithfulness, 2) a reminder to himself of his sin and its consequences, or 3) a call for God to remember and act on his behalf. Psalm 38 in Lesson 6, Psalm 70 in Lesson 12.
Meribah—The word Meribah means “strife” or “quarrel.” Along with Massah, it refers to Rephidim, known as the place where God tested the Israelites. Details are recorded in the book of Exodus 17:1–17. See Massah. Psalm 95 (the Invitatory for Sunday Vigils) in Lessons 1 and 15, Psalm 106 in Lesson 21.
Meshech—Meshech refers to an area in present-day Turkey that takes borrows its identity from one of the sons of Japheth. Meshech and Kedar are mentioned in Psalm 120 as locations where warmongers dwell. The name Meshech means “tall” or “drawn by force.” Psalm 120 in Lesson 2.
Midian—The geographical region of Midian takes its name from Midian, one of Abraham’s sons. The book of Genesis 25:1–2 records that Midian was born to Abraham’s second wife, Keturah, after the death of Sarah. Descendants of Midian are known as Midianites, a nomadic people inhabiting the area east and southeast of the land of Canaan.  Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Miktam—The word Miktam appears in superscripts to Psalms 56, 58, 59, and 60 in Volume II of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church. Scholars are uncertain about its exact meaning, but it is thought to be a musical or literary term. See Maskil. Psalms 59 and 60 in Lesson 5, Psalm 58 in Lesson 10, Psalm 56 in Lesson 27.
Moab—Moab refers to an area east of the Dead Sea settled by descendants of Moab, the son of an incestuous union between Lot and Lot’s elder daughter. The book of Genesis 19:30–38 describes the birth of Moab. The name Moab means “from the father.” Psalm 60 in Lesson 5, Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Moses—Most scholars credit Moses as the author of Psalm 90, a communal lament covered in Volume II of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church. References to Moses, a man called by God to lead the descendants of Jacob out of slavery in Egypt, appear throughout Scripture. The book of Exodus describes major events in his life. Religious law was given by God to Moses in the form of the Ten Commandments, and in the book of Deuteronomy 18:15, Moses foretold that at some future date the LORD would raise up another prophet like him. The name Moses means “to deliver from the water.” See Asaph; David; Ethan; Ezrahite; Heman; Jeduthun; Solomon; sons of Korah. Psalm 103 in Lesson 1, Psalm 105 in Lesson 7, Psalm 106 in Lesson 21.
Most High—The title “Most High” applied to the deity emphasizes the superior nature of God above all other things, especially above the pagan gods worshiped in the land of Canaan. See LORD / Lord / LORD God; God. Psalm 9 in Lesson 3 (see acrostic psalms); Psalm 7 in Lesson 9. Psalm 46 (the Invitatory for Saturday Vigils) in Lessons 13 and 27, Psalm 83 in Lesson 19, Psalms 73 and 106 in Lesson 21, Psalm 78 in Lesson 23, Psalm 107 in Lesson 25, Psalm 91 in Lesson 29.
Mount Hermon—See Hermon.
Mount Horeb—It was at Horeb, a mountain frequently referred to as Mount Sinai, where God’s people encamped after escaping from Egypt in the Exodus. Mount Horeb traditionally is believed to be located in desert terrain on the Sinai Peninsula, but there is much scholarly debate about that location. The word Horeb means “glowing heat.” Psalm 106 in Lesson 21.
Mount Sinai—See Sinai.
Mount Tabor—See Tabor.
Mount Zalmon—Mount Zalmon refers to a place where God scattered kings, in a way described in Psalm 68 as resembling falling snow on a mountain. Mount Zalmon sometimes is referred to as Mount Ebal in Scripture. The exact location is debated, but it generally is thought to be a wooded area near Shechem. The name Zalmon means “shade” or “shadow.” Psalm 68 in Lesson 13.
Mount Zion—See Zion. 
Mut Labben—Sometimes translated as Muth Labben or Muthlabben, Mut Labben appears in the superscript at the beginning of Psalm 9. The meaning of “Mut Labben” is debated by scholars. Its original meaning  was “concerning the death of a son,” which has led some scholars to think Mut Labben might refer to the death of David’s son Absalom; David is considered the composer of Psalm 9. Scholars also debate whether Mut Labben refers to chanting a particular tune. Psalm 9 in Lesson 3 (see acrostic psalms).

—N—

Naphtali—Naphtali, the sixth of Jacob’s 12 sons, was born to Bilhah, the handmaid of Jacob’s wife Rachel. The book of Exodus 1:1–4 records that Naphtali came into Egypt with the rest of Jacob’s sons to escape famine during a severe drought in the land of Canaan. The name Naphtali means “my struggle.” Psalm 68 in Lesson 13.
North—This geographic designation in the psalms may suggest a connection to the northern kingdom of Israel. Psalm 89 in Lesson 13.
Nun—Nun is the fourteenth letter featured in Psalm 119. The section of this acrostic hymn (Psalm 119:105–112) that focuses on Nun is covered in Volume I of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church. Nun derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “seed” and is associated with continuing, heritage, and sons. See acrostic psalms. 

—O—

Oreb—The seventh and eighth chapters in the Book of Judges record events concerning Oreb and Zeeb, two Midianite princes who led an unsuccessful invasion of Israel. They were defeated by an army led by Gideon, and both Oreb and Zeeb were killed by Ephraimites. See Zeeb. The name Oreb means “raven.” Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.

—P—

Pe—Pe (sometimes spelled Pey) is the seventeenth letter featured in Psalm 119. Pe derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “mouth” and is associated with opening, blowing, and scattering. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:129–136 in Lesson 26.
penitential psalms—Psalms that primarily express contrition are called penitential. Penitential psalms covered in Volume II of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church include Psalms 6, 32, 38, and 102; penitential psalms covered in Volume I include: Psalms 51, 130 and 143.
Peor—Peor was located near Mount Nemo in Moabite territory; it now is part of present-day Jordan. It was at Peor that the Israelites engaged in immoral activities as part of worshiping an idol known as Baal of Peor; this angered God and caused a plague that killed many Israelites. Details are recorded in the book of Numbers 25:1–13. See Baal of Peor.
Philistia / Philistines—Philistia refers to a coastal region along the Mediterranean Sea. The area sometimes is called the land of the Philistines. Its inhabitants were coastal peoples or “sea peoples” descended from Noah. In the present day, the word “Philistine” has come to mean a person who is indifferent or even hostile to culture and the arts. The name Palestine derives from the word Philistia, which in turn is thought to have derived from a word meaning “rolling” or “migratory.” Psalm 60 in Lesson 5, Psalm 83 in Lesson 19, Psalm 56 in Lesson 27.
Phinehas—Phinehas was an ancestor of the priest and scribe Ezra and grandson of Aaron, the brother of Moses; Aaron became the first high priest. Phinehas is recognized for his zeal in slaying an Israelite man and Midianite woman, starting a series of events that led to a covenant of perpetual priesthood for his descendants. Details are recorded in the book of Numbers 25:1–13. The name Phinehas means “bronze-colored one.” See Baal of Peor. Psalm 106 in Lesson 21.
Prayer—Prayer is a word occasionally used in place of or in addition to the word psalm in superscripts. All psalms are prayers, and all are intended to be sung. Psalm 17 in Lesson 7.
Psalms passages omitted from Liturgy of the Hours—Psalms 58, 83, and 109 are omitted entirely from Liturgy of the Hours books, but they are included Volume II of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church. Passages omitted from Liturgy of the Hours but included in Volume II of this study include Psalm 31:18–19; Psalm 35:3–8, 20–21, 24–26; Psalm 40:15–16; Psalm 54:7; Psalm 55:16; Psalm 56:8; Psalm 59:6–9, 12–16; Psalm 69:23–29; Psalm 79:6–7, 12; and Psalm 140:10–12. The following passages—omitted from Liturgy of the Hours books but included in Volume I of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church include Psalm 5:11; Psalm 21:9–13; Psalm 28:4–5;  Psalm 63:10–12; Psalm 72:20; Psalm 110:6; Psalm 137:7–9; Psalm 139:19–22; Psalm 141:10; and Psalm 143:12.

—Q—

—R—

Rahab—In the psalms, Rahab is a symbolic name for a powerful enemy or a chaotic force, often associated with Egypt or a primeval sea monster. Elsewhere in Scripture, Rahab refers to a Canaanite woman from Jericho who is remembered for hiding two Israelite spies; she also is listed in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel According to Matthew 1:1–17. The name Rahab means “wide” or “boisterous.” Psalm 89 in Lesson 13.
Red Sea—The Red Sea is an inlet of the Indian Ocean between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The fourteenth chapter in the book of Exodus records the story of God leading his people on dry land through the Red Sea, a key Old Testament event. The exact location of the crossing is debated by scholars. Psalm 106 in Lesson 21.
Resh—Resh is the twentieth letter featured in Psalm 119. Resh derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “head of a man” and is associated with top, first, and beginning. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:153–160 in Lesson 28.
River Kishon—The River Kishon (sometimes called the Kishon River and sometimes called the Kishon Brook) flows through the Jezreel Valley. It was the site of two key events—the Israelites’ defeat of Sisera’s Canaanite army at the word of the prophetess Deborah, and the location in the northern kingdom of Israel where Elijah slaughtered 450 prophets of Baal. The first is recorded in the Book of Judges 4:12–24; the second is recorded in the First Book of the Kings 18:20–40. The name Kishon means “winding” or “tortuous.” See Sisera. Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Rivers—When the word River is unidentified, capitalized, and singular in the psalms, a safe guess would be to assume the river in question is the Jordan River. That Rivers is plural in Psalm 89 indicates that more than one river is involved. The capitalization of the plural rivers hints that the waterways being cited are large enough to have formal names. That these names are not mentioned in Psalm 89 suggests that the exact rivers involved are not as important as their involvement. Psalm 89 in Lesson 13.
Rock—“Rock” is a title for the divinity that emphasizes God’s strength and endurance. The name Rock is relatively modern, but it occasionally was used as a nickname in ancient times to convey the idea of endurance. See LORD / Lord / LORD God; God. Psalm 18 in Lesson 9.

—S—

Salem—The book of Genesis 14:18–20 refers to Salem as an ancient city-state ruled by Melchizedek, a king and priest of God Most High. It is thought to have been located on the site of what later became the city of Jerusalem. In Psalm 76 it may refer to Jerusalem, or it may be symbolic of peace. The name Salem means “peace.” Psalm 76 in Lesson 1.
Samech—Samech (sometimes translated as the somewhat misleading English word “Sin”) is the fifteenth letter featured in Psalm 119. Samech derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “thorn” and is associated with grabbing, hating, and protection. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:113–120 in Lesson 24.
Saul—Of the tribe of Benjamin, Saul was the first king to rule over the descendants of Jacob; he was succeeded by David. The ninth and tenth chapters in the First Book of Samuel record the story of Saul being anointed king by the prophet Samuel. The name Saul means “prayed for” or “borrowed. Psalm 59 in Lesson 5. Psalm 54 in Lesson 8, Psalm 18 in Lesson 9, Psalm 52 in Lesson 17.
Sea—Because of the location of Israel, sea in Psalm 89 almost certainly refers to the Mediterranean Sea, which is a relatively easy distance from Jerusalem. Psalm 89 in Lesson 13.
Shechem—The land of Shechem refers to area around an ancient Canaanite city located in the hill country of Ephraim and situated between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. The name “Shechem” means “shoulder” or “ridge,” but it also can refer to the son of a Hivite chieftain of that name. The thirty-fourth chapter in the book of Genesis highlights the region of Shechem’s association with violence by recording the story of Jacob’s daughter Dinah, who was violated by the person Shechem. Psalm 60 in Lesson 5.
Sheol—Sheol refers to the Hebrew abode of the dead. It is similar to Hades, the Greek name for the same concept. Although sometimes considered synonymous with the Christian idea of hell, neither Hades nor Sheol were considered places of punishment. The word Sheol means “sought” or “asked for.” Psalm 9 in Lesson 3 (see acrostic psalms), Psalm 31 in Lesson 3, Psalm 55 in Lesson 8, Psalm 89 in Lesson 13, Psalms 86 and 88 in Lesson 14.
Shin—Shin (also sometimes translated as the somewhat misleading English word “Sin”) is the twenty-first letter featured in Psalm 119. Shin derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “two front teeth” and is associated with sharpness, two, and eating. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:161–168 in Lesson 28.
Sinai—Sinai generally is thought to refer to the sparsely populated area between Elim and Mount Horeb, a peak sometimes also called Mount Sinai—although there is scholarly disagreement about whether Horeb and Sinai are the same mountain as well as about where they might be located. In the present day, Sinai usually refers to the Sinai Peninsula. Many scholars believe that the wilderness of Sinai and the wilderness of Sin (yet another misleading translation involving the somewhat confusing English word “Sin”) are the same place. The word Sinai means “thorn.” Psalm 68 in Lesson 13.
Sirion—Sirion is what the Sidonians called Mount Hermon. Pairing Sirion with Lebanon in Psalm 29 highlights the majestic power of God over nature. The name Sirion means “coat of mail.” Psalm 29 (the Invitatory for Monday Vigils) in Lessons 3 and 17.
Sisera—Sisera was general of a Canannite army defeated by the Israelites after the prophetess Deborah persuaded Barak to fight. This defeat occurred at Mount Tabor in the Jezreel Valley and is described in the Book of Judges 4:12–24. The name Sisera means “meditation” or “battle array.” Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Solomon—Psalms 72 and 127, both covered in Volume I of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church, are the only psalms attributed to Solomon. The second son born to David and Bathsheba, Solomon was  responsible for construction of the first Temple in Jerusalem. In 970 B.C., Solomon succeeded his father David as ruler over all of the descendants of Jacob. Upon his death about 40 years later, the 10 northern tribes split off to form the kingdom of Israel, while David’s descendants continued to rule over the remaining two tribes of Judah and Benjamin in the southern kingdom of Judah. Details of Solomon’s life are recorded in the First and Second Books of Samuel and the First and Second Books of the Kings. The name Solomon means “peace.” See Asaph; David; Ethan; Ezrahite; Heman; Jeduthun; Moses; sons of Korah.
Son—When capitalized in the Old Testament, Son refers to the Messiah. When capitalized in the New Testament, it refers to Jesus, who is considered by Christians to be the Son of God and the Messiah (Anointed One) of Old Testament prophecy. Psalm 2 in Lesson 1.
Song—A few introductory superscripts identify some psalms as Songs. Scholars are unclear if this indicates a distinction between the psalms so designated and the other psalms, all of which are considered songs. Psalm 69 in Lesson 1, Psalm 67 (the Invitatory for Friday Vigils) in Lessons 11 and 25, Psalm 75 in Lesson 12, Psalm 68 in Lesson 13, Psalm 46 (the Invitatory for Saturday Vigils) in Lessons 13 and 27, Psalm 88 in Lesson 14.
Song of Ascent—Psalms 120 through 134 make up the Songs of Ascent. These psalms traditionally were sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem three times a year for mandatory religious festivals. Volume II covers Psalms 120, 121, 123 in Lesson 2 and Psalm 134 in Lesson 29. Songs of Ascent covered in Volume I include Psalm 122 and Psalms 124 through 133.  
sons of Korah—“Sons” is a term often used in Scripture to describe men born into a particular genealogical line or native to a specific geographical region. The book of Exodus 6:24 records the names of Korah’s sons were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; that they are listed means that they followed Moses’ command to depart from Korah’s tent so as not to be destroyed because of his son, an event described in the book of Numbers 16:1–35. Psalms believed to have been written by one or more of the sons of Korah (also called Korahites) and covered in Volume II of Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church include Psalms 44, 46, and 88; Volume I covers Psalms 42, 45, 47–49, 84–85, and 87. The name Korah means “baldness” or “frost.” See Asaph; David; Ethan; Heman; Moses; Solomon.
South—This geographic designation in the psalms may suggest a connection to the southern kingdom of Judah. Psalm 89 in Lesson 13. 
Strength—When capitalized, “Strength” is used as a title for the divinity; it emphasizes the power of God. See LORD / Lord / LORD God; God. Psalm 59 in Lesson 5.
Succoth—Succoth means “tents” or “temporary shelters.” The “valley of Succoth” in Psalm 60 refers to an area near the ancient city of Succoth in the Jordan River valley. Psalm 60 in Lesson 5.

—T—

Tabor—Tabor in Psalm 89 refers to a mountain located in Lower Galilee in northern Israel. It served as a boundary marker for the territories of the tribes of Zebulun, Issachar, and Naphtali. It is considered the traditional site of Jesus’ Transfiguration, although it is not named in the Gospels in connection with that New Testament event. The name Tabor means “height” or “pinnacle.” Psalm 89 in Lesson 13.
Tau—Tau (sometimes translated as Taw or Tav) is the twenty-second and last letter featured in Psalm 119. Tau derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “crossed sticks” and is associated with marks, signs, and monuments. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:169–176 in Lesson 28.
Teth—Teth (sometimes called Tet) is the ninth letter featured in Psalm 119. Teth derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “basket” and is associated with surrounding, containing, and mud. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:65–72 in Lesson 20.
Thanksgiving—Thanksgiving refers to gratitude. It appears in Psalm 100 as a means of honoring God for his many gifts bestowed on humanity. Psalm 100 (the Invitatory for Tuesday and Thursday Vigils) in Lessons 5, 9, 19 and 23.
Tsade—Tsade (sometimes spelled Tsad) is the eighteenth letter featured in Psalm 119. Tsade derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “trail” and is associated with chasing, hunting, and journeys. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:137–144 in Lesson 26.
Tyre—Along with Sidon, Tyre was a major Phoenician seaport north of Israel in present-day Lebanon. In Psalm 83, the people of Tyre are identified as enemies of the Israelites. The word Tyre means “rock.” Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.

—U—

—V—

Valley of Salt—The Valley of Salt is thought to be associated with David’s victory over the Edomites, and event briefly described in the Second Book of Samuel 8;13–14. The name Valley of Salt likely stems from the presence of salt deposits or salt marshes, locating the region near the southern side of the Dead Sea. Psalm 60 in Lesson 5.
valley of Succoth—See Succoth.
Vau—Vau (sometimes referred to as Waw or Vav) is the sixth letter featured in Psalm 119. Vau derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “tent peg” and is associated with adding and securing. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:41–48 in Lesson 18.

—W—

—X—

—Y—

Yod—Yod (sometimes spelled Yad) is the tenth letter featured in Psalm 119. Yod derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “arm and closed hand” and is associated with hard work, throwing, and worshiping. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:73–80 in Lesson 22.

—Z—

Zayin—Vau (sometimes called Zan) is the seventh letter featured in Psalm 119. Zayin derives from an ancient Hebrew word for “mattock” (a tool used for gardening and landscaping) and is associated with food, cutting, and nourishing. See acrostic psalms. Psalm 119:49–56 in Lesson 20.
Zalmunna—Zalmunna is one of two Midianite kings captured and killed by Gideon after the Midianites led a vast army against Israel. The Book of Judges 8:1–21 records events surrounding the death of Zalmunna and Zebah, the two Midianite kings. The name Zalmunna means “protection is withheld.” See Zebah. Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Zebah—Zebah is one of two Midianite kings captured and killed by Gideon after the Midianites led a vast army against Israel. The Book of Judges 8:1–21 records events surrounding the death of Aebah and Zalmunna, the two Midianite kings. The name Zebah means “beautiful,” and usually is given to a girl. See Zalmunna. Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Zebulun—Zebulun, the tenth of Jacob’s 12 sons, was born to Jacob’s wife Leah. The book of Exodus 1:1–4 records that Zebulun came into Egypt with the rest of Jacob’s sons to escape famine during a severe drought in the land of Canaan. The name Zebulun means “joined in harmony.” Psalm 68 in Lesson 13.
Zeeb—The seventh and eighth chapters in the Book of Judges record events concerning Oreb and Zeeb, two Midianite princes who led an unsuccessful invasion of Israel. They were defeated by an army led by Gideon, and both Oreb and Zeeb were killed by Ephraimites. The name Zeeb means “wolf.” See Oreb. Psalm 83 in Lesson 19.
Zion—The site of the ancient Jebusite fortress that David conquered to establish his royal capital at Jerusalem, Zion appears throughout the psalms to describe a particular site holy to God and to his people. Mount Zion or the mountain of Zion often refers to the elevation upon which Solomon built his Temple; because of this, it came to symbolize the dwelling place of God. The meaning of the name Zion is “fortress” or “mountain.” Psalm 2 in Lesson 1, Psalm 9 in Lesson 3 (see acrostic psalms), Psalm 53 in Lesson 6, Psalm 69 in Lesson 11, Psalms 74 and 102 in Lesson 19, Psalm 14 in Lesson 23, Psalm 134 in Lesson 29.
Ziphites—The Ziphites were from the tribe of Judah and lived in the town of Ziph, located in the hill country of Judah. From the same tribe as David, they betrayed him by disclosing his hiding places to Saul, recounted in the First Book of Samuel 26:1–2. Ziphites refers to residents of Ziph, either of the wilderness or of the town. The name Ziph means “flowing” or “cleansing.” Psalm 54 in Lesson 8.
Zoan—The plains of Zoan refers to a fertile region in the Nile River Delta of Egypt. The area is closely associated with the city of Zoan, which also is known as Tanin. Psalm 78 identifies Zoan as a location when God performed signs to induce the Egyptians to allow the Israelites to leave the country. The name Zoan means “depressed region.” Psalm 78 in Lesson 23.