Lexical Summary higgayon: Meditation, murmuring sound, solemn sound, resounding music Original Word: הִגָּיוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance device, Higgaion, meditation, solemn sound Intensive from hagah; a murmuring sound, i.e. A musical notation (probably similar to the modern affettuoso to indicate solemnity of movement); by implication, a machination -- device, Higgaion, meditation, solemn sound. see HEBREW hagah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hagah Definition resounding music, meditation, musing NASB Translation Higgaion (1), meditation (1), resounding music (1), whispering (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs הִגָּיוֺן noun masculine resounding music, meditation, musing; — ׳ה absolute Psalm 9:17; Psalm 92:4; construct הֶגְיוֺן Psalm 19:15; suffix הֶגְיוֺנָם Lamentations 3:62; — 1 resounding music; עֲלֵי חִגָּיוֺן בְּכִנּוֺר Psalm 92:4 with sounding music upon the lyre (Che); compare סֶ֑לָה ׳ה Psalm 9:17 (a musical direction, see סלה). 2 meditation, musing אִמְרֵיפִֿי וְהֶגְיוֺן לִבִּי Psalm 19:15 the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart; also in bad sense = plotting שֹׂפְתֵי קָמַי וְהֶגְיוֺנָם עָלַי Lamentations 3:62; the lips of those rising against me, and their imagining against me ("" מַחְשְׁבֹתָם Lamentations 3:61; compare I.הָגָה 3b). Topical Lexicon Semantic Nuance and Range of Meaning הִגָּיוֹן (higgayon) gathers several shades of thought and sound into a single concept—murmured reflection, audible musical line, thoughtful meditation, and even clandestine plotting. Its four appearances reveal a word that moves from the public sanctuary to the private heart, from the realm of worship to the arena of spiritual warfare. Canonical Occurrences 1. Psalm 9:16 — a liturgical cue marking contemplative pause amid judgment. Liturgical Significance In Psalm 9:16 the transliterated “Higgaion. Selah” stands as an inspired stage direction. It summons temple musicians and congregants alike to linger over the justice of God before moving on. By coupling higgayon with selah, the psalmists establish a pattern still helpful for modern worship: combine musical interlude with silent rumination so truth may sink deep. Meditative Devotion David’s plea, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight” (Psalm 19:14), elevates higgayon from corporate ritual to personal piety. True devotion binds spoken confession to inner rumination. The believer is instructed that private thought-life must harmonize with verbal testimony if worship is to be acceptable before the LORD. Musical Expression Psalm 92 celebrates Sabbath rest “with a ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre” (Psalm 92:3). Here higgayon is the skillful, ordered sequence of notes that carries praise heavenward. Scripture therefore legitimizes artistic excellence as a vehicle for theological proclamation, encouraging churches to value musical craftsmanship as an act of obedience, not mere aesthetics. Spiritual Conflict In Lamentations 3:62 Jeremiah laments “the whispers and schemes of my accusers.” Higgayon now depicts covert speech that opposes God’s servant. The same word that can characterize sanctified reflection can also describe treacherous plotting, illustrating how the tongue (James 3:6) may be wielded for good or ill. Discernment is required to identify whether a given higgayon promotes righteousness or rebellion. Theological Thread Across its uses, higgayon highlights a consistent biblical theme: God measures both inner thought and outward sound. Whether in temple music, personal prayer, or hostile whisper, every resonance is laid bare before Him. The term thus reinforces divine omniscience and the moral accountability of human reflection and expression. Christological Perspective Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh (John 1:14), embodies perfect higgayon: His hidden meditations were always righteous (John 8:29), and His public words matched His Father’s will (John 12:49). In Him the believer finds both the model and mediator for acceptable meditation and worship. Ministry Application • Worship Leaders: Integrate intentional instrumental interludes that invite congregational reflection on scriptural themes. Homiletical Insights A sermon series might trace higgayon through the Psalms, contrasting it with the lament of Lamentations 3. The journey would underscore how meditation, music, and motive converge in the life of faith, culminating in the call of Romans 12:1 to present body and mind as living sacrifice. Conclusion Higgayon reminds the faithful that God hears every chord struck, every word uttered, and every thought entertained. In response, believers are summoned to cultivate a life where melody, meditation, and motive are harmonized for the glory of the One who “searches mind and heart” (Jeremiah 17:10). Forms and Transliterations הִגָּי֣וֹן הִגָּי֥וֹן הגיון וְהֶגְי֣וֹן וְהֶגְיוֹנָ֔ם והגיון והגיונם hig·gā·yō·wn higgaYon higgāyōwn vehegYon vehegyoNam wə·heḡ·yō·w·nām wə·heḡ·yō·wn wəheḡyōwn wəheḡyōwnāmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 9:16 HEB: נוֹקֵ֣שׁ רָשָׁ֑ע הִגָּי֥וֹן סֶֽלָה׃ NAS: the wicked is snared. Higgaion Selah. KJV: of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. INT: is snared the wicked Higgaion Selah Psalm 19:14 Psalm 92:3 Lamentations 3:62 4 Occurrences |
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