The Arrangement of Psalms 3-8¹

 

 

Kevin G. Smith; William R. Domeris

SATS

Correspondence

 

 

---

ABSTRACT

An exhaustive analysis of Psalms 3-8 suggests that the editors of the Psalter juxtaposed psalms on the basis of link words. The headings and verbal links suggest that Psalms 3 and 7 belong together, as do Psalms 4-6. In this article, we propose that the editors formed this collection by inserting Psalms 4-6 between Psalms 3 and 7, which were neighbours in another collection. The strong verbal links between Psalms 3 and 4 provide the rationale for this merger. They then rounded off this miniature collection by joining Psalm 8 to Psalm 7, based on the hook word "name. "

---

 

 

“Full text available only in PDF format”

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, R. Dean, Jr. The division and order of the psalms. Westminster Theological Journal 56 (1994): 219-241.         [ Links ]

Bratcher, Robert G. & Reyburn, William D. A translator's handbook on the book of Psalms. Helps for translators. New York: United Bible Societies, 1991.         [ Links ]

Brennan, Joseph P. "Psalms 1-8: some hidden harmonies." Biblical Theology Bulletin 17 (1980): 25-29.         [ Links ]

_______. "Some hidden harmonies in the fifth book of the Psalter." Pages 126-158 in Essays in honour of Joseph P. Brennan. Edited by Robert F. McNamara. New York: St Bernard's Seminary, 1976.         [ Links ]

Broyles, Craig C. Psalms. NIBC. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1999.         [ Links ]

Childs, Brevard S. An introduction to the Old Testament as scripture. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1979.         [ Links ]

Cole, Robert. "An integrated reading of Psalms 1 and 2." JSOT 26 (2002): 75-88.         [ Links ]

Craigie, Peter C. Psalms 1-50 on CD-ROM. WBC. Oak Harbour: Logos Research Systems, 1998.         [ Links ]

Goldingay, John. Psalms: volume 1, Psalms 1-41. Baker commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006.         [ Links ]

Labuschagne, Casper J. "General introduction to logotechnical analysis." No Pages. Cited 3 February 2010. Online: www.labuschagne.nl/aspects.pdf.         [ Links ]

_______"Introduction to Book I: Psalms 1-41." No Pages. Cited 3 February 2010. Online: www.labuschagne.nl/intro 1.pdf.         [ Links ]

Limburg, James. "Psalms, the Book of," pages 522-536 in The anchor Bible dictionary 5. Edited by David N. Freedman. New York: Doubleday, 1992.         [ Links ]

McFall, Leslie. "The evidence for a logical arrangement of the Psalter." Westminster theological journal 62 (2000), 223-256.         [ Links ]

Miller, Peter D. "The ruler in Zion and the hope of the poor: Psalms 9-10 in the context of the Psalter." Pages 187-197 in David and Zion: biblical studies in honor of J. J. M. Roberts. Edited by B. F. Batto, J. J. M. Roberts and K. L. Roberts. Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2004.         [ Links ]

Motyer, James A. "The psalms." No Pages in The new Bible dictionary: 21^st century edition, 4^th ed. on CD-ROM. Edited by Donald A. Carson. Oak Harbour: Logos Research Systems.         [ Links ]

Smith, Kevin G. "The redactional criteria and objectives underlying the arrangement of Psalms 3-8." Ph.D. dissertation, South African Theological Seminary, 2008.         [ Links ]

Strugnell, John & Eshel, Hanan. "It's elementary: Psalms 9 and 10 and the order of the alphabet." Bible Review 17 (2001): 41-44.         [ Links ]

Tate, Mervin E. "An exposition of Psalm 8." Perspectives in religious studies 28 (2001): 343-359.         [ Links ]

Terrien, Samuel L. The Psalms: strophic structure and theological commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.         [ Links ]

Wilson, Gerald H. The editing of the Hebrew Psalter. SBL dissertation series 76. Chico: Scholars Press, 1985.         [ Links ]

Zenger, Erich. "Der Psalter als Wegweiser und Wegbegleiter: Ps 1-2 als Proömium des Psalmenbuchs." Pages 29-47 in Sie Wandern von Kraft zu Kraft: Aufbrüche, Wege, Begegnungen-Festgabe für Bischof Reinhard Lettman. Edited by Arnold. Angenendt and Herbert Vorgrimler. Freiburg: Herder, 1993.         [ Links ]

 

 

Correspondence:
Kevin Smith
South African Theological Seminary
61 Wessels Road
Rivonia. 2128
E-mail: Kevin@sats.edu.za

Bill Domeris
South African Theological Seminary
61 Wessels Road
Rivonia. 2128
E-mail: wdomeris@gmail.com

 

 

1 This article summarises the conclusions of Kevin G. Smith, "The redactional criteria and objectives underlying the arrangement of Psalms 3-8," (Ph.D. dissertation, South African Theological Seminary, 2008).