Zamar Sakal

Psalm 47:7 (or Psalm 46:8, by the old reckoning) is a psalm written as a prayer and exhortation for the benefit of musicians in the Temple. It directs us to praise God with joy because He is king over all the earth. In the middle of a great deal of jubilation and triumph, it reminds us again that “God is king over all the earth”, and then directs, “zamar sakal”.

What does it mean?

“Sing with circumspection.” By extension, “sing with understanding” or “sing wisely”.

Music, like dance, cannot really exist without some kind of form and control. It is created by stopping as well as by moving, by softness and silence as much as by loudness. Every sound and syllable is best produced when under practiced control, even if all the practice is to create the appearance of something wild.

Sacred music particularly demands craft. Your audience is not the mortals who hear and forget, but God Himself. He is king over all the earth, and yet you have to stand before Him. You must remember the rareness of this honor, and treat your Almighty Auditor with respect.

This isn’t meant to oppress anybody’s spirits. If there were ever a sympathetic audience, surely it would be He. And I’m certainly not claiming perfection myself; anybody who reads this blog long enough will run into my constant complaints about my own faults as a cantor and choirmember. But it is something to think about, especially since a lot of psalm translations don’t translate the “wisely” part at all.