The role of Psalms 135-137 in the shape and shaping of Book V of the Hebrew Psalter

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Authors

DeClaisse-Walford, Nancy L.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Old Testament Society of South Africa

Abstract

Book V of the Psalter (Pss 107-150) is an interesting collection of psalms. After the opening Ps 107, celebrating God’s rescue of humanity from various dangerous situations, psalms attributed to David appear again after a virtual absence since Book II. These Davidic psalms (Pss 108-110 and 138-145) “frame” a grouping of festival psalms that are introduced by two brief alphabetic acrostics (Pss 111 and 112). Seemingly tucked away just after the Songs of Ascents (Pss 120-134), and before the resumption of psalms of David, lie Psalms 135-137, two magnificent community hymns followed by a heartfelt community lament. This essay explores the role of these psalms in the “shape” and “shaping” of the story of the Psalter. It will conclude that the psalms offer a highly stylized recitation of Israel’s history that made a world for the postexilic community, recounting Yahweh’s work in creation, summarizing the Pentateuchal stories of the ancestors (Pss 135-136) and providing a snapshot of exilic life in Babylon (Ps 137). Their assurance of Yahweh’s presence and provisions allow David, in Psalms 138-145, to lead the postexilic people in blessing, praise, and thanks to the sovereign God.

Description

Keywords

Psalm 135, Psalm 136, Psalm 137, Psalms 135-137, Psalter Book V, Shape of the Psalter, Shaping of the Psalter, Hebrew psalter studies, Shape and shaping of book V, Community hymns, Heartfelt community lament

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Nancy L. deClaissé-Walford, “The Role of Psalms 135-137 in the Shape and Shaping of Book V of the Hebrew Psalter,” Old Testament Essays 32 no. 2 (2019): 669-686. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2019/v32n2a20.