Lexical Summary Muth or Muth Labben: "To die," "death," or "death of a son" (Muth Labben) Original Word: מוּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance death, Muthlabben (Psalm 'Abiyram or Muwth lab-ben {mooth lab-bane'}; from muwth and ben with the preposition and article interposed; "To die for the son", probably the title of a popular song -- death, Muthlabben. see HEBREW 'Abiyram see HEBREW muwth see HEBREW ben NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom muth and ben Definition "to die for the son," probably a song title NASB Translation death (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs לַבֵּן in ׳עַלמֿוּת ל Psalm 9:1 of dubious meaning, see Thes BaePsalmen, p.xvii. לִבְנָ֑ת, see שִׁיחוֺר לִבְנָ֑ת. עֲלָמוֺת, עַלמֿוּת etc., see עַלְמָה below II. עלם. below Topical Lexicon Meaning and Form The term מוּת (muth) in Strong’s number 4192 appears only in the superscriptions or closing notations of two psalms. It is usually translated “death,” though many scholars treat it as a fixed musical or liturgical term. Because it is not functioning as a regular noun within the verses’ syntax, its force is best grasped by observing the themes each psalm develops around mortality, divine rescue, and covenant hope. Occurrences in Scripture • Psalm 9:1, superscription “To the Chief Musician: On Muth-labben.” Liturgical and Musical Implications 1. Direction for the choir. In both psalms the word serves as an instruction to the worship leader, indicating either a specific tune (“Death of the Son,” “Upon Death”) or a performance style suited to sober reflection. Theological Reflection on Death and Deliverance Psalm 9 moves from distress to triumph: “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed” (Psalm 9:9). The superscription’s mention of death heightens the psalmist’s testimony that YHWH overturns the final enemy. Psalm 48 closes, “For this God is our God forever and ever; He will guide us even beyond death” (Psalm 48:14 footnote). Here death is not the termination of divine shepherding but the threshold to fuller fellowship. Together, the two psalms frame death as a defeated adversary within the covenant story. Prophetic and Messianic Overtones • “Death of the son” in Psalm 9’s title anticipates the pattern of a righteous sufferer whose apparent defeat heralds victory—fulfilled in the crucified and risen Son. Historical Usage in Ministry • Temple choir guilds likely used these psalms during national festivals, confronting worshipers with the reality of mortality while pointing them to covenant hope. Practical Ministry Application Today 1. Funeral and memorial services: Psalm 48:14 offers concise assurance that God’s shepherding presence extends beyond the boundary of death. Summary Though מוּת (Strong’s 4192) surfaces only twice, its strategic placement underscores Scripture’s consistent message: death, while real and sobering, is ultimately subject to the sovereign God who rescues His people and guides them forever. Forms and Transliterations לַבֵּ֗ן לבן מֽוּת׃ מות׃ lab·bên labBen labbên Mut mūṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 9:1 HEB: לַ֭מְנַצֵּחַ עַלְמ֥וּת לַבֵּ֗ן מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃ INT: Musician death A Psalm of David Psalm 48:14 2 Occurrences |
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