Shoshannim

Shoshannim (Hebrew lilies) is a musical or liturgical direction found in the superscriptions of Psalms 45, 69, and 80 (where it appears as Shoshannim-Eduth and Shoshan Eduth). Its precise meaning as a performance instruction is uncertain. The most common interpretation is that it designates either a musical instrument shaped like a lily, a melody or tune known by this title, or a specific musical mode. The Septuagint translates the word as concerning the things that will be changed, reflecting an alternative reading of the Hebrew root. Psalm 45 is a royal wedding song; Psalm 69 is a lament; Psalm 80 is a communal prayer for restoration — the common liturgical designation suggests these diverse psalms were performed using a shared musical tradition.