The 'Enthronement Psalms' : a claim to the world-wide honour of Yahweh

Abstract

The so-called Enthronement Psalms, that is Psalms 47, 93, 96, 97, 98 and 99, are described in this investigation as a distinctive group of psalms which constitute a similar illocutionary act. This act is defined against the background of the role that honour and shame played in ancient Mediterranean societies as that of making a claim to the world-wide honour of Yahweh. The perlocutionary intent of this claim is described as an attempt to resolve the tension between the belief of the religious community in Yahweh's creative power and superiority above heathen gods and the lack of honour experienced by Israel as a nation.