Shigionoth – A Musical Term
Forms of this word appear two times in the Bible. The singular form of the word is shiggaiom appearing in Psalm 7. The plural form of the word, shiginoth, is found in Habakkuk 3:1.
In each case the words are associated with songs and seem to indicate the passionate and strong emotional manner in which the song is to be sung. Both songs paint a picture of dire trouble. Habakkuk 3 speaks of earthquakes, crumbling mountains, pestilence, floods, arrows, spears, and calamity. The song in Psalm 7 describes vicious lions, trampled lives, rage, swords, flaming arrows, and violence. Both songs end with exuberant praise to the Lord for His deliverance from the troubles.
It is unlikely that I will ever encounter shiginoth or shiggaiom as a directive in a musical composition, however my guess is the Italian directives conpassione or appasionato will get the same point across.