Michtam-LeDovid.
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Remember the following two truth’s from our
beloved Scriptures!
“Ye
shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, neither shall
ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the
commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2.
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With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
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מִכְתָּם
לְדָוִד - Michtam-LeDovid:
The words מִכְתָּם
לְדָוִד ‘Michtam le’Dovid’ is found in Tehillim - Psalms 16, 56, 57,
58, 59, and 60. The point is this, what can we really make of this very
unusual word ‘Michtam’.
Well let us try:
The Hebrew word מִכְתָּם (“Michtam”) appears only in the super-scriptions
of six Tehillim - Psalms numbers 16, 56 to 60),
always marking them as “Michtam of David.” These
titles signal a distinctive literary or musical designation reserved for
Davidic compositions.
Etymological Theories:
The most common
etymology links מִכְתָּם to the
root ק־ת־ם just
like ‘k-t-m’, meaning ‘to engrave’ or ‘to inscribe’.
Under this theory, Michtam denotes a ‘golden’ or ‘engraved’ Psalm one of special value or permanence.
Golden inscription:
A
‘golden Psalm’
conveying precious, enduring truths. Was it a secret or a covered prayer: Possibly from
an Akkadian cognate ‘to cover’,
indicating a silent or atoning hymn in times of crisis?
Musical
clue is some scholars regard it as a liturgical or a more
melodic instruction, akin to ‘Selah’ guiding the choir or musicians during
performance.
Whether
understood as an engraved inscription, a ‘golden poem, or a ‘secret prayer’,
the Michtam Psalms uniformly weave themes of ‘refuge’, ‘Divine
protection’, and ‘covenantal trust’. Each arises from moments of distress seeking אֱלֹהִים - Elohim
(God), as a ‘steadfast fortress in perilous times’.
Meaning?:
The word “Michtam” in Psalms is a rare and debated term, often linked to David’s deeply personal prayers. It can also interpret it as a ‘poetic’ or ‘musical designation’, while some suggest meanings like, as I have shown above, ‘engraved’, ‘golden’, or ‘secret’. Its connection to Michtam le-David’ highlights the Psalms of David marked by ‘permanence’, ‘intimacy’, and ‘spiritual depth’.
Occurrences and Context:
The term “Michtam” מִכְתָּם appears in the superscriptions of six Psalms as has already been mentioned . Each is introduced as “Michtam le-David”, meaning “A Michtam of David.” These Psalms may often reflect moments of ‘danger’, ‘exile’, or ‘profound trust in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’.
Hebraic tradition emphasizes that superscriptions in Psalms are not incidental; they provide insight into the nature or function of the prayer.
Theological Significance:
The phrase “Michtam le-David” underscores David’s role as both poet and prophet. These Psalms are not casual songs but engraved testimonies of faith!
The Psalms labelled “Michtam” often arise from moments of ‘crisis’, such as ‘fleeing Saul’, ‘facing enemies’, or ‘expressing trust in divine protection’. The designation may mark them as special ‘prayers of resilience’.
Some commentators suggest “Michtam” indicates a hidden or inner dimension of prayer, where David’s words carry layers of meaning beyond the surface.
In conclusion:
“Michtam le-David” represents Psalms of David that are ‘precious’, ‘enduring’, and ‘deeply personal’. Whether understood as ‘engraved’, ‘golden’, or ‘secret’, the term conveys that these prayers hold a special place in our Hebraic tradition, etched into the collective memory of Israel and into the eternal record before אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ - ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’
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PLEASE NOTE: This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following, via several of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your
Eloheichem; walk in My statutes,
and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall
be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”.
Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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