This word is found in Scripture only at the head, or title page, of several Psalms; namely, the eighth, eighty - first and eighty - fourth. Various have been the opinions of the learned concerning it, and for the most part different. Some contend, that it means the wine - presses. Others will insist, that it refers to some musical instruments used in the temple - service. Some derive it from the word Gath; and, therefore, conclude it refers to that city. And another class suppose it means Goliah, the Gittite. But be it what it may, certain it is, that the knowledge of it in the present hour cannot be very important, as God the Holy Ghost hath not thought it essential to be known by the church. The Psalms which bear this name in the title, are not less blessed for our ignorance on this point; though if it be, as it is possible it may have, a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ, it would be gratifying to know it.
See Musician.
Git´tith. A word which occurs in the title of Psalms 8; Psalms 81; Psalms 84 [PSALMS, BOOK OF].
The word Gittish signifies belonging to Gath. It probably denotes either a musical instrument or a kind of music derived from Gath, where David sojourned for a time during the persecution of Saul, 1Sa 27:1-7 . The word Gath also signifies in Hebrew a winepress. Hence not a few have supposed that it denotes either an instrument or a melody used in the vintage. It is prefixed to Psa 8:1-9 ; 81:1- 16; 84:1-12, all of which requires an animated strain of music.\par
Gittith. A musical instrument, by some supposed to have been used by the people of Gath, and by others to have been employed at the festivities of the vintage. Psalms 8; Psalms 81; Psalms 84.
Title Psalm 8; Psalm 81; Psalm 84: An instrument, or else tune, invented in Gath, from whence David brought it after his sojourn there with Achish (1Sa 27:2). Others take it from garb, "a winepress," being used on occasions of joy like the vintage; all three psalms having a joyous character. There may be an enigmatical reference to Messiah treading the winepress (Isa 63:3; Rev 19:15):
(Heb. Gittith’,
Gittith (gĭt’tith), a musical instrument. A word found in the titles of Psa 8:1-9; Psa 81:1-16; Psa 84:1-12. The derivation of the word is uncertain.
[Git’tith]
Apparently a musical instrument, the nature of which is unknown. From its name it has been supposed to have formerly been used at Gath. Others connect it with Obed-edom the Gittite. It occurs only in the headings of Psa 8; 81; and 84.
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By: Emil G. Hirsch, M. Seligsohn
A musical instrument mentioned in Ps. viii. 1, lxxxi. 1, lxxxiv. 1. The word is explained by Gesenius ("Thesaurus," s. v. ) as meaning "striking instrument," but it is now generally held to denote a zither. Rashi, following the Targum, derives the name from "Gath"; it would then mean "fabricated by the people of Gath." He also quotes a Talmudic saying that "Gittith" is an allusion to Edom, which will be trodden down like a wine press ( ; compare Isa. lxiii. 3), and combats this view by arguing that the context of the chapter has nothing to do with Edom. Ibn Ezra explains the name "Gittith" as referring to the fact that the above-mentioned psalms were composed for the sake of the descendants of Obed-edom the Gittite, who was a Levite. The interpretation (also found in the Septuagint) that "Gittith" means "to be sung to the tune of the wine-presses" is ridiculed by Ibn Ezra.
GITTITH.—See Psalms (titles).