What is amichtamin the Bible?

This word occurs in the headings of Psalms 16; 56 - 60. Its meaning is uncertain. The margin of the A.V. reads 'a golden psalm.' Gesenius and others suppose the word michtam to be equivalent to miktab, which in Isa. 38:9 is translated 'writing,' hence a 'poem, psalm, song.' The LXX translates it 'a writing of David.'

This psalm is the first with the inscription "Michtam" — "Michtam of David." For this there are three different meanings given, the common one being the marginal one, "a golden psalm"; but some say, "a hidden" one, a psalm with a hidden meaning; and some say "engraved," so as not to pass away. Delitzsch gives "a psalm with pithy sayings," an "epigram." There are five others similarly inscribed, 56 — 60, but of very different character from the present, to which one might conceive either of the first meanings being appropriate; but they add nothing that one can realize as of value to the understanding of the psalm.

The MICHTAM Psalms are Ps. 16, Ps. 56, Ps. 57, Ps. 58, Ps. 59, and Ps. 60.

I know no better rendering than the common one, a golden psalm. The word Michtam occurs nowhere else; but the word rendered, in gold of Ophir, Ps. 45:9; and golden wedge (Isa. 13:12) is a kindred word, and occurs nine times, as gold, and in no other sense.

MICHTAM … Golden (psalm).

Mahalath Leannoth. It means "sickness unto humiliation." It stands connected with Psalm 88. Maschil. "Instruction," found in Psalms 32, 42, 44, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89, 142. Michtam. "Engraven," in Psalms 16, 56-60. Muth-Labben. "Death for the son." It is found as the superscription of Psalm 9. Neginoth. "Smitings," in Psalms 4, 6, 54, 55, 61, 67 and 76. Nehiloth. "Possessions," in Psalm 5. Sheminith. "The Eighth Division" or "upon the Octave, in Psalms 6 and 7. Shiggaion. "Loud Crying," Psalm 7. Shoshannim. "Lilies," in Psalms 45 and 69. Shoshannim-Eduth. "Lilies of testimony," Psalm 53. Eduth (testimony) is found in Psalm 60.

Poem Psalms 16 and 56-60 are headed "poem" (hebr. michtam).

"Michtam of David, to teach," is surely not difficult to understand, if the character of every michtam was epigrammatic, and to give maxims of faith, worthy to be durably engraved upon the memory. If this be the purport of it also, some special emphasis must be put upon the "teaching" in this case, which would suit well also with the character of this psalm; previously noticed, as a deuteronomic fifth.

As the psalms of the former section were connected together by their common Maskil character, so those of the present are by the fact that they are all Michtams, a title which only occurs elsewhere in connection with the sixteenth psalm. Of the various meanings there referred to, the last two seem best to suit as applied to these. They are epigrammatic, the sharp-cut maxims of faith, which here strengthens itself by them. And that connects plainly with the derivation from the word catham; to "engrave," such epigrammatic writing being that found in inscriptions while it is fitted to engrave itself durably on the memory, as these maxims need to be engraved.*

All the headings of the psalms are inspired, and ‘Michtam of David’ tells us that David was the instrument used by the Spirit of God to bring out the innermost feelings and thoughts of Christ as a Man in this world. Some scholars have taken the heading of this psalm to mean ‘A golden jewel’, but whatever its real meaning may be, it is indeed a golden jewel, a rich and precious treasure for every heart that values the Lord Jesus, and that delights to ponder His holy life on earth for the glory of God and the blessing of men.

All the headings of the Psalms are inspired, and "Michtam of David" tells us that David was the instrument used by the Spirit of God to bring out the innermost feelings and thoughts of Christ as a Man in this world. Some scholars have taken the heading of this psalm to mean "A Golden jewel," but whatever its real meaning may be, it is indeed a golden jewel, a rich and precious treasure for every heart that values the Lord Jesus, and that delights to ponder His holy life on earth for the glory of God and the blessing of men.