Abstract

BOTHA, Phil J.. Following the "Tracks of Righteousness" of Psalm 23. Old testam. essays [online]. 2015, vol.28, n.2, pp.283-300. ISSN 2312-3621.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2015/V28N2A5.

Tins article argues that possible connections between Ps 23 and Proverbs have been overlooked to a large extent. It is well-known that the author of the psalm has appropriated the image of Yahweh as a shepherd of his people (used in connection with the exodus and also at the return from exile) and applied it to his personal relation-ship with Yahweh. But the psalm also describes the life of the indi-vidual worshipper as a journey and this metaphor seems to have important connections with Proverbs and wisdom psalms. It is argued that the expression "tracks of righteousness" possibly dis-plays a direct link to Prov 2:9 and 4:11 and that this could imply that the author of Ps 23 fused the metaphor of Yahweh as a shep-herd (and as a host) with that of Yahweh as a guide on the road of life so that the suppliant is portrayed as a righteous person.

Keywords : Psalm 23; road metaphor; tracks of righteousness; Proverbs; wisdom.

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