Shiggaion, i'Mf) (Ps. vii.), denotes, according to Gesenius and Fiirst, a song or hymn ; but Ewald, Delitzsch, and Hengstenberg derive it from rlIV, to err or wander; and hence the two former under stand a dithyrambic song, uttered in the greatest ex citement; but the latter, error or wandering, sup posing that the aberrations of the wicked are the subject of the psalm. According to Rosenmiiller, De Wette, and Tholuck, it means a plaintive song or elegy.
Shushan, Ith[r, (Ps. lx.), and in plural shoshan aim (Ps. xlv., lxix., lxxx.) This word commonly signifies lily, and probably denotes either an instru ment bearing some resemblance to a lily (perhaps cymbal), or a melody named lily for its pleasant ness. Hengstenberg contends that it expresses the subject-4 e., some delightful theme. Eduth, nr1y, is joined to it in Ps. lx. and lxxx., giving the sense lily of testimony, the name of a tune, ac cording to Tholuck and Delitzsch, or lily of song, according to others, who understand a lyric poem.
AUTHORS.—Many of the ancients, both Jews and Christians, maintained that all the psalms were written by David : which is one of the most striking proofs of their uncritical judgment. So the Talmudists (Cod. Pesaclrim, c. x., p. 117) ; Augustine, who is never a good critic (De Civ. Dei, xvii. 14) ; and Chrysostom (Prol. ad Psalmos). But Jerome, as might be expected, held the opinion which now universally prevails (Epist. ad Sophia ilium). The titles and the contents of the psalms most clearly show that they were composed at dif ferent and remote periods, by several poets, of whom David was only the largest and most eminent contributor. In the titles the author is indicated by $, to, i.e., belonging to,' prefixed to his name, hence called lamed anctoris. Some suppose, with out good reason, that S prefixed to a musician's name—ex. gr., Asaph—indicates, not the author, but simply the head singer. According to the in scriptions, we have the following list of authors : I. David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel' (2 Sam. xxiii. I.) To him are ascribed seventy-three psalms in the Hebrew text (not seventy-four, as De Wette and Tholuck state ; nor seventy-one, as most others have counted) ; and at least eleven others in the Sept.—namely, xxxiii., xliii., xci., xciv.-xcix., civ., cxx;cvii. ; to which may be added Ps. x., as it forms part of Ps. ix. in that version. From what has been advanced above respecting the authority of the titles, it is obviously injudicious to maintain that David composed all that have his name prefixed in the Hebrew, or to suppose that he did not compose some of the eleven ascribed to him in the Sept., and of the others which stand without any author's name at all. We cannot feel sure that Ps. cxxxix. is David's, for its Chaldaisms
(ver. 2, 8, 16, i7) betray a later age ; and Ps. cxxii. can scarcely be his, for its style resembles the later Hebrew, and its description of Jerusalem can hardly apply to David's time. Besides, it is worthy of notice that the Sept. gives this and the other Songs of Degrees without specifying the author. Of those which the Sept. ascribes to David, it is not improbable that Ps. xcix. and civ. are really his ; and of those which bear no name in either text, at least Ps. ii. appears to be David's.
When we consider David's eminence as a poet, and the delight he took in sacred song, we cannot wonder that he should be the author of so many of the psalms—no fewer, in all likelihood, than half the collection : the wonder rather should be, that we do not find more of his fine odes, for it is certain he wrote some which are not in this book ; see in 2 Sam. i. 19-27 his lament over Saul and Jonathan, and in 2 Sam. xxiii. 1.7 his last in spired effusion.
His character and merit as the father of Hebrew poetry and music—for it was in his hands and under his auspices that these flourished most"'— are thus set forth by the Son of Sirach (ch. xlvii. 8-to), ' In all his work he gave thanks. To the Holy and Most High he sang songs with all his heart, in words of praise (Warn 84ns), and he loved his Maker. He set singers also before the altar, and from their music (,"you) sweet melody resounded. He gave splendour to the feasts, and adorned the solemn seasons unto perfection (,uexin cnwrcXdac), in that they praised his holy name, and the sanctuary pealed with music from early morn.' David's compositions are generally distinguished by sweetness, softness, and grace ; but sometimes, as in Ps. xviii., they exhibit the sublime. His prevailing strain is plaintive, owing to his multi plied and sore trials, both before and after his occupation of the throne. How often was he beset with dangers, harassed by foes, and chas tised of God ! And, under these circumstances, how was his spirit bowed down, and gave vent to its plaints and sorrows on the saddened chords of the lyre ! But in the midst of all he generally found relief, and his sorrow gave place to calm confidence and joy in God. What wonder that a soul so susceptible and devout as his should mani fest emotions so strong, so changeful, and so various, seeing that he passed through the greatest vicissitudes of life ? God took him from the sheep folds to feed Jacob his people and Israel his inheritance (Ps. lxxviii. 7o, 71). See Herder's Geist der Ebr. Poesie, ii.297-3o1; and especially Tholuck (Psalmen, Einleitung, sec. 3), who gives a most admirable exhibition of the Psalmist's history and services.