First of all, the question arises here about the title of these psalms, why they have the inscription: "Songs in the higher choir" (psalmi graduum [StufenpfalmenP, or as others translate it: Songs of Ascent (adscensionum). However, the opinions of the exegetes are different, all of which are not worth telling here. Lyra states that they are so called because the Levites or priests sang them when ascending or on the steps of the temple. For in the history of the kings it is written that they went out on steps to the temple [1 Kings 6:8]. Now he invents that there were fifteen steps,
and on every step a psalm was sung. Whether this is true or not, I do not care much about it, but it seems to me not to be according to the truth. It cannot be denied, of course, that the Hebrew word sn8^] means steps or ascents. Therefore I stick, as far as it can be done, to the quite simple sense, and hold that they are so called because they used to be sung by the Levites or priests on steps or in an elevated place, as with us he who publicly sings or preaches in church is generally in some higher or loftier place, where he can be heard by all.
1752 m-165-187. Au[1. on the 15 songs in the higher choir. Ps. 120. w. iv, sssrd-2390. 1753
can be easily seen and heard. For I think that these psalms were not sung by the whole crowd that was in the temple, or by the rest of the choir, but by certain people who were to sing to the others, they were sung or at least begun by a higher choir (e superiore loco), as then also some others have the title, that is, of the precentor, of which we have spoken elsewhere. But who could know all their customs, especially since there is now so much time between them, in which they have gone out of custom and the people from 'the memory?
Since with such a large number of psalms, when the law was still in force, one psalm was sung with this, another with another ceremony, according to the occasion of the time and the place, sometimes also as it had become customary, it is sufficient for us to say that the title here does not refer to any doctrine, but only to an outward use of the singers, whatever it may have been for a ceremony. In our school the psalms are sung; some of the boys sing the first verses, the servant the prayers. Furthermore, in the morning something is read from the Epistles of Paul or the Gospel, in the evening the Psalms. For what is done in public cannot proceed without ceremonies. In this way
In that nation everything was done in proper order and with certain ceremonies. For there were twenty-four orders of the priests [1 Chron. 25, 3. ff.], therefore it was possible that they sang sometimes in the choir without the people, sometimes single, sometimes also choruses, after that also the people sang something to it. This we cannot know for sure, after everything has completely fallen away. Because this also serves little to understand the Psalms, I think that we should bear it with equanimity that these things cannot be completely known.
Therefore, I also pass over this, why there are just fifteen in number, and this title is rather prefixed to these Psalms than to others. Because even if we struggle a lot, the matter remains uncertain, and since this matter has no particular use, one struggles in vain. But I also wanted to note that some interpret "psalms of ascent" (adscensionum) to be as much as "to the conclusion" (completionum), because they were sung at the end, when the people were already to be dismissed, and the sacred act was completed (completa). And 1) indeed, because they are short and always contain important (insignificant) teachings, they are suitable for the end. But I will also leave the Hebrews their judgment here.
1) Instead of at, probably ae should be read.