פירוש על תהילים 16:1

A michtam of David Our Sages said (Sotah 10b, Mid. Ps. 16:1): Of David, who was poor (מך) and perfect (ותם), whose wound (מכתו) was perfect (תמה), for he was born circumcised. However, the sequence of the verse here does not lend itself to be interpreted according to the Midrash. There are psalms prefaced by the title לדוד מכתם, which may be interpreted: This song is David’s, who was poor and perfect, but here, where it is stated מכתם לדוד, it cannot be interpreted in this manner. I therefore say that it is one of the names of the various types of melodies and the variations in the music. Another explanation: מכתם is an expression of a crown, like כתם, meaning that David was accustomed to say, “O God, guard me for I have taken refuge in You.” And this was to him as a crown, as it is stated (5:13): “You shall crown him with will.”

A Mikhtam of David: – We have already written in the Psalm "Hear me when I call" (iv.) of the meaning of the word Mikhtam.

Preserve me: – The שׁ (of שָֽׁמְרֵנִי) is lengthened with ga'ya.

O Almighty: – Thou, Lord, art mighty and potent, therefore I call unto Thee to preserve me.

for I put my trust in Thee: – and in no other beside Thee.