לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ אַל־תַּשְׁחֵ֗ת לְדָוִ֥ד מִכְתָּֽם׃
For the choirmaster: “Do not destroy.” Of Dawid. A Mikhtam.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | לַמְנַצֵּחַ | la-menatsseaḥ | “for the choirmaster” | Prep לְ + Def. art. הַ + Piel ptc. ms |
| 2 | אַל־תַּשְׁחֵת | ʾal-tashḥet | “do not destroy” | Neg. אַל + Hiphil yiqtol/jussive 2ms |
| 3 | לְדָוִד | le-Dawid | “of Dawid” | Prep לְ + proper noun |
| 4 | מִכְתָּם | mikhtam | “a Mikhtam” | N(ms) |
Morphology
- לַמְנַצֵּחַ (la-menatsseaḥ) – Root: נצח (n-ts-ḥ); Root Type: III-Guttural; Binyan: Piel; Form: Preposition לְ + assimilated definite article הַ + Piel participle masculine singular; Translation: “For the choirmaster”; Notes: The form likely refers to the one directing or leading the musical performance, traditionally rendered “choirmaster” or “director.”
- אַל־תַּשְׁחֵת (ʾal-tashḥet) – Root: שׁחת (shaḥat); Root Type: I-Sibilant / III-Dental; Binyan: Hiphil; Form: Negative particle אַל + Hiphil yiqtol/jussive 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “Do not destroy”; Notes: This phrase functions as a musical or liturgical designation, probably indicating a known tune or performance setting.
- לְדָוִד (le-Dawid) – Root: דוד (Dawid); Root Type: Proper noun; Form: Preposition לְ + proper noun masculine singular; Translation: “Of Dawid”; Notes: The preposition לְ may mark authorship, dedication, association, or belonging in psalm superscriptions.
- מִכְתָּם (mikhtam) – Root: כתם (k-t-m); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “A Mikhtam”; Notes: A technical psalm title whose precise meaning is uncertain; it may denote a particular type of poem, inscription, or musical/liturgical category.