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Psalm 84 · a question people ask

Who wrote Psalm 84, and what is "an instrument of Gath"?

In the text

The title says, "For the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by the sons of Korah" (84:1). It names no one person and no occasion. Psalm 84 is one of eleven psalms whose titles name the sons of Korah, and Psalm 42's notes, where the first of those titles comes (Psalm 42:1), say what they say and go no further. The words about Gath are in two other titles: "For the Chief Musician; on an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by David" (Psalm 8:1), and "For the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. By Asaph" (Psalm 81:1). In Hebrew it is one word, gittit, and the Hebrew Bible has it only in these three titles. The titles don't explain it, and these notes don't either.

The verses

“For the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. How lovely are your dwellings, LORD of Armies!”
Psalm 84:1 · World English Bible
“For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.”
Psalm 42:1 · World English Bible
“For the Chief Musician; on an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by David. LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens!”
Psalm 8:1 · World English Bible
“For the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. By Asaph. Sing aloud to God, our strength! Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob!”
Psalm 81:1 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 84

Psalm 84: How lovely are your dwellings

Psalm 84 is the only psalm that says Blessed (ashrei) three times: of those who dwell in God's house, of those on the way to Zion, and last of "the man who trusts in you" (84:12). And the sparrow's home (84:3) is bayit, the Hebrew word of God's house (84:4, 84:10), in a psalm that longs for the LORD's courts (84:2).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions