Lexical Summary al-tashcheth: "Do not destroy" Original Word: אַל תַּשְׁחֵת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Al-taschith From 'al and shachath; Thou must not destroy; probably the opening words to a popular song -- Al-taschith. see HEBREW 'al see HEBREW shachath NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom al and shachath Definition "destroy not," a phrase in Psalm titles. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Literary Context The expression “Do Not Destroy” appears as a musical or liturgical rubric in the headings of four Psalms: Psalm 57, Psalm 58, Psalm 59, and Psalm 75. These titles locate the songs within Israel’s temple worship and direct the manner in which the inspired text was to be sung. Three are attributed to David and arise from periods of acute danger (Psalm 57; Psalm 59) or intense moral outrage (Psalm 58). The fourth, Psalm 75, is assigned to Asaph and celebrates divine judgment on the proud. The recurring rubric signals a unified thematic thread: urgent reliance on the covenant-keeping God to withhold destruction—whether of the psalmist, the righteous community, or the moral order itself. Connection to Davidic Prayers for Deliverance Psalm 57 and Psalm 59 frame personal crises in David’s life. Both were composed “when he fled from Saul” and address God as Savior in the face of lethal threat. Psalm 57:1 petitions, “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until disaster has passed.” By labeling the song “Do Not Destroy,” David effectively surrenders vengeance to God while entrusting his own preservation to divine mercy. Psalm 59 reheats the same theme: “Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me” (Psalm 59:1). The repeated rubric underscores the continuity of David’s spirituality—refusing self-help violence and resting in the Lord’s sovereign timing. Liturgical Function in Israel’s Worship Within the temple choir, “Do Not Destroy” served as an instruction, comparable to other tune or style indicators like “According to lilies” (Psalm 45). Its presence across differing authorships indicates that it became a recognizable melody or genre used for lament and praise alike. The congregational memory of God’s past deliverances was rekindled each time the phrase introduced a psalm, training worshipers to recall covenant faithfulness and to petition, “Do not destroy us,” whenever national peril loomed. Theological Themes: Divine Protection and Judgment The heading introduces two complementary truths: God restrains destruction of His people and unleashes destruction upon unrepentant wickedness. Psalm 58 pronounces a searing indictment on corrupt judges yet closes with confidence: “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges the earth” (Psalm 58:11). Psalm 75 places both ideas side by side: “When I select an appointed time, I will judge uprightly” (Psalm 75:2) and, “I will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be exalted” (Psalm 75:10). Thus, the rubric frames songs that move from pleas for preservation to anticipation of final justice. Prophetic and Messianic Echoes Because David’s life prefigures the Messiah, the “Do Not Destroy” collection also anticipates Christ. In the Gospels, Jesus refrains from calling down legions of angels, embodying the principle behind the heading: trusting the Father’s plan rather than seizing violent escape. Moreover, Psalm 57:8–11 finds fulfillment in the resurrection praise of the Son, and Psalm 75’s portrayal of the righteous exalted foreshadows Messiah’s vindication and reign. Practical Ministry Implications Today 1. Prayer Model: Believers facing adversity can adopt the rubric’s spirit—appealing for protection without succumbing to retaliation. Summary “Do Not Destroy” binds four psalms into a small yet potent anthology asserting that God both shields His people and judges evil. Originating in David’s lived experience, the heading evolved into a liturgical cue inspiring generations of worshipers. In every era it invites the faithful to pray, sing, and live with confidence that destruction is restrained by a sovereign, merciful, and ultimately just Lord. Forms and Transliterations תַּ֭שְׁחֵת תַּשְׁחֵ֑ת תַּשְׁחֵ֗ת תַּשְׁחֵת֮ תשחת taš·ḥêṯ Tashchet tašḥêṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 57:1 HEB: לַמְנַצֵּ֣חַ אַל־ תַּ֭שְׁחֵת לְדָוִ֣ד מִכְתָּ֑ם KJV: < INT: Musician Altaschith of David Michtam Psalm 58:1 Psalm 59:1 Psalm 75:1 4 Occurrences |
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