DeClaisse-Walford, Nancy L.2020-09-182020-09-182019-10Nancy 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/v32n2a20.1010-9919 (print)2312-3621 (online)10.17159/2312-3621/2019/v32n1a14http://hdl.handle.net/2263/76187Book 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.en© Old Testament Society of South Africa (OTSSA). Article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.Psalm 135Psalm 136Psalm 137Psalms 135-137Psalter Book VShape of the PsalterShaping of the PsalterHebrew psalter studiesShape and shaping of book VCommunity hymnsHeartfelt community lamentTheology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationTheology articles SDG-10SDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesTheology articles SDG-16SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsArticle