Altaschith

Altaschith (meaning destroy not) is a Hebrew phrase appearing in the superscriptions of Psalms 57, 58, 59, and 75. It is generally understood as a musical direction, possibly the opening words of a familiar song or melody to which these psalms were to be performed, analogous to other tune references in the Psalter. The phrase corresponds to the words of Moses (Destroy them not, Deut. 9:26) and to David's restraint toward Saul (1 Sam. 26:9), suggesting it may have evoked a mood of appeal for divine mercy or restraint of judgment in liturgical performance.