OT350 Test 1
A Collection of Collections: Existence of Doublets
"A Psalm or part of a psalm occurring twice in the Psalter" Examples: -Psalm 14 (Book 1) = Psalm 53 (Book 2) They were probably in different collections and the duplication was not looked at.
Hebrew Poetry: Parallelism
"A correspondence between two (or more) successive poetic lines; usually a semantic correspondence (meaning)."
Narrative Psalms: Heilsgeschichte
"Salvation History." These Psalms celebrate Yahweh's acts of Salvation.
Interpreting the Psalms: Form Criticism: Sitz-im-Leben
"Setting in Life." Gunkel identified a limited number of Gattungen He reasoned that each Gattung originated as part of Israel's worship. Two Questions to ask with this: -What was the situation in Israel's worship that led to the composition of this Type (Gating) of psalm? -Why did this Type of psalm continue to be sung over the centuries? It gives a great inside look at to how the Israelites worshipped. Definition: "The situation in life in which a certain Gating originated and is used."
Interpreting the Psalms: Form Criticism: Gattung
"Type" -Earlier scholars thought each psalm was sui generis (a unique composition) -Gunkel realized that many Psalms shared common characteristics. -He argues that psalms sharing similar structure, vocal, theme, etc. constitute a Type (Gattung) Definition: "A conventional pattern, recognizable by certain formal criteria, such as style, shape, tone, syntax, structure, recurring formulaic patterns."
Possible Stages in Formation of Psalter
-First Davidic: Psalms 3-41 (the core collection that we would call today). -Other Early Collections --First Korah: Psalms 42-49 --Second Davidic: Psalms 51-72 --Asaph Psalms: Psalms 50, 73-83 -The Elohistic Psalter: Psalms 42-83 -Combined with First Davidic -Addition of Psalm 2 as a Davidic Introduction -Addition of other collections over time --Second Korah: Psalms 84-88 --Yahweh's Kingship: Psalms 93, 95-99 --Songs of Praise: Psalms 103-107 --Songs of Ascent: Psalms 120-134 --Third Davidic: Psalms 138-145 --Hallelujah Psalms: 111-118; 146-150 -Addition of Psalm 1 to introduce entire Book.
The Importance of Psalms
-It is the most familiar book in the OT -Source of Spiritual Comfort and Challenge (the ideas are challenging)
Information Found in Superscriptions: Ascription to an Individual: Other individuals
-Moses: Psalm 90 -Solomon: Psalm 72,127 -Sons of Korah -Asaph -Heman and Ethan: Psalm 88 (Heman), 89 (Ethan)
Information Found in Superscriptions: Ascription to an Individual: David
-Most mentioned in the Psalter -Hebrew: leDavid -73 Psalms are leDavid (Septuagint [LXX] adds to 14 more Psalms). -Traditional Interpretation: Authorship, a psalm written by David. --Support: ---David as a musician and a poet - 1 Sam. 16:17-23 ---David organized formal worship and Temple Singers - 1 Chron. 16:4-7 ---Dead Sea Scrolls, New Testament, and Talmud (a commentary on the Mishnah) ---Psalms connected to David's life - Psalm 3 and 51 -Modern Scholarly Perspectives --Translation of leDavid: "to David, for David" ---"le" can mean 'to', 'for', or 'of'. --Possible Interpretations ---Dedication to David ---Concerning David ---Belonging to the Davidic Collection.
The Appeal of the Psalms
-Poetry: Word Pictures, Metaphors. -The Range of Human Emotions they have. (Heights of Praise to Depths of Lament)
The Psalms in Worship
-Psalms were composed for and used in Israel's worship. -they were used as the early hymn book for Israel. -They were adopted by Early Christians --Quoted throughout the NT. --Psalms became the focus of Christian worship. --Recited regularly by Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Anglican, and many Protestants. --Many hymns and contemporary choruses are based on the Psalms.
Superscriptions: Stats
116 of the Psalms have Superscriptions, 34 do not. -Rabbis called a Psalm without a Superscription, mizmor atom --> Orphan Psalm.
Information Found in Superscriptions: Historical References
13 Psalms include reference to some historical event in their superscriptions -All relate to events in David's life. -All are Lament Psalms
Interpreting the Psalms: Hermann Gunkel
1862-1932 German Biblical Scholar - living in a time when literacy influenced culture. Influenced by the Grimm Brothers - literary scholars. --Studied Folk Tales and Fairytales - they eventually wrote them down. --Discovered common types of stories. - they fall into certain categories. He developed Form Criticism (Formsgeschichte) -Two Foundational Ideas: --Gattung - type or form. --Sitz-im-Leben - setting in life.
Structure of the Psalms
5 books of the Psalms and 5 Doxologies ("word of praise") along with them. Book 1: Psalm 1-41 | Doxology: 41:13 Book 2: Psalm 42-72 | Doxology: 72:18-20 Book 3: Psalm 73-89 | Doxology: 89:52 Book 4: Psalm 90-106 | Doxology: 106:48 Book 5: Psalm 107-150 | Doxology: 150:1-6
Hebrew Poetry: Parallelism Founder
Bishop Robert Lowth (1710-1787)
Narrative Psalms: Psalm 136 Exposition
Call to Praise (1-3)
Hebrew Poetry: Recognizing Poetry
Characteristics of Poetry -Rhyme - repeated pattern of stressed/unstressed syllables -Meter - poetry in certain aspects is transferable.
A Collection of Collections: Colophon in Psalm 72:20
Colophon: A scribal note added to the end of a manuscript supplying additional information. Psalm 72:20 "The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended." --> we would assume that we wouldn't find anymore Davidic Psalms. It suggests that the complier of the collection ending with Book 2 knew of no other Davidic psalms. ---but there are 17 more Davidic psalms after this. ---Psalm 86 is "A prayer of David."
Interpreting the Psalms: Methods of Interpretation: The Historical Critical Method
Developed during the past 200 years. Two primary questions: -Who wrote this text? -When was it written? Why are scholars so uptight about this? -They believe that we need to know both the HISTORICAL and CULTURAL context to interpret things more objectively. -they say language also changes over time - english has changed dramatically and so has Hebrew. Problems applying this method: -Skepticism concerning Superscriptions: Are the Superscriptions really accurate? -The ahistorical nature of the Psalms: we get LITTLE historical nature in the Psalms -Subjective Results.
Hebrew Poetry: Recent Developments
Distinctive Syntax - arrangement of words to form meaningful sentences. Terse Language - poets pick their words carefully. Figurative Language - metaphor, simile, hyperbole, etc. Rhetorical Devices - Ellipsis (repetition of a phrase), chiasmus, etc.
Superscriptions: Format of Superscriptions
English Bibles vs. Hebrew Bibles -Superscript is actually the first verse in the Hebrew Bible. Because of this, the verses can get mixed up when you are trying to compare back and forth from the English to the Hebrew Bible.
Narrative Psalms: Psalm 136: Form Criticism
Gattung: Hymn -Call to Praise (1-3) -Reasons for Praise (4-25) -Renewed Call (26 Sitz-im-Leben -Passover (a Spring Festival) -Some suggest Autumn Festival, possibly Tabernacles.
Narrative Psalms: Introduction
God and History. --Israel worshipped a God who acted in history to save his people. --the formative event of Israel's history was the Exodus. --the Exodus was not just past history: All Israelites felt they, too, had participated in it.
Title of the Book
Greek: biblos psalmon --> "Book of Psalms" (see Luke 20:42) -Also, psalmoi, "Psalms" Hebrew: sepher tehillim --> Book of Praises.
Narrative Psalms: Psalm 136 Introduction
Has no superscription - makes it an orphan Psalm Jewish Tradition: -The Great Hallel ("to praise") --Recited during the Passover Festival - usually the last song sung during the Passover. Liturgical Form -Antiphony --Each verse ends with a Refrain (chorus) ---A regularly recurring phrase at end of a verse or stanza
Interpreting the Psalms: Gunkel's Psalm Types (Gattungen)
Hymns of Praise Enthronement Psalms - enthronement of God. Laments of the Community - the whole community laments. Laments of the Individual - one person laments. Royal Psalms Individual Songs of Thanksgiving.
Superscriptions: Definition
Information recorded before, ("above"), the Psalm
Information Found in Superscriptions: Musical Terminology
Lamnaseah Binginot 'el hannehilot We don't know what the following means: "The Sheminith" "A Shiggaion of David" "According to the Gittith"
The English Word "Psalm"
Latin: psalmus. Greek: psalmos. -From the verb, psallo, "to pluck (a stringed instrument)" --"A Psalm is a song sung to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument"
Information Found in Superscriptions: Liturgical Information
Liturgy: "a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship; follows a pattern, always done in a certain way; has structure and order" Psalm 100 - "For the thank offering." Psalm 92 - "A Song for the Sabbath Day." Psalms 38,70 - "For the memorial offering." Psalm 30 - "A Song at the dedication of the Temple." Psalms 120-134 - "A Song of Ascents."
The Date of the Psalter: Older Critical View
More than 100 years ago. Began during the Enlightenment, (18th, and 19th centuries), with the rise of Critical Biblical Scholarship. Julius Wellhausen (1844-1918) -Influenced by Charles Darwin -Concept of Religious Evolution -> religion of Israel followed the same path that Darwin was trying to prove. -Monotheism began with 8th Century Prophets (Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Micah) This View believed that Most Psalms date to Second Temple Period (post 515) -Psalm 137 is one of the earliest Psalms
Narrative Psalms: Form Criticism: Gattung (Form)
Most Narrative Psalms are Hymns. Structure of the Hymn: Three Elements --Call to Praise - uses imperative verbs to bring people to praise. --Reasons for Praise. --Renewed Call to Praise - sometimes the exact words are repeated from the beginning. *Refer to Psalm 117 and powerpoint for this.
Interpreting the Psalms: Methods of Interpretation: The Devotional Method
Only the text, the Interpreter, and the Holy Spirit No appeal to Church Authorities, Biblical Scholars, Teachers, or anyone else. Results tend to be subjective - there are different interpretations because the different outlooks from other people on the passage.
Interpreting the Psalms: The Perspicuity of Scripture.
Perspicuous: "Something that is clear, easy to understand" - no doubt of understanding. Some parts of the Bible are perspicuous.
Location of Psalms in the Canon: English Canon
Poetical Books Between Job and Proverbs.
Interpreting the Psalms: Methods of Interpretation: The Allegorical Method
Popular in the New Testament and Early Church.
Narrative Psalms: Form Criticism: Sitz-im-Leben (Life Setting)
Praise --To celebrate the God of Salvation. --To acknowledge God's power and greatness. Instruction (Can we understand who we are if we don't know who God is?) --To teach Israelites both who their God is and who they are. --God is faithful even when Israel is not.
A Collection of Collections: Preference for Divine Names
Psalms 1-41; 84-150 --Yahweh used 648 times. --Elohim used 31 times. --21 to 1 Yahweh to Elohim ratio Psalms 42-83 --Yahweh used 44 times --Elohim used 201 times --1 to 4.6 Yahweh to Elohim ratio --Psalms 42-83 are called the "Elohistic Psalter"
A Collection of Collections: Ascription to Individuals
Psalms 1-89, (Books 1,2, and 3). --Most Psalms are ascribed to an individual, (mostly to David). --81 of the 89 Psalms - 91% Psalms 90-150 (Books 4 and 5) --Fewer psalms ascribed to an individual --16 of the 61 Psalms - 30%.
Interpreting the Psalms: Implications of Form Criticism
Psalms were written by and for the Israelite Community. -They are a product of the community. -They reflect the faith of the community. Most Psalms were written for Israelite Worship Psalms are not limited to a single historical or cultural situation.
Interpreting the Psalms: Developments since Gunkel
Sigmund Mowinckel (1884-1965) -He expanded the Royal Psalms. -Annual Enthronement Festival (Akitu) Claus Westermann (1909-2000) -Two Types (Prayer and Praise) Other Trends -Reading the Psalms as a Book. -Focus on Context of Psalms within the Book.
The Date of the Psalter: Traditional View
Superscriptions thought to denote Authorship --Almost half refer to David - 73 or 74 Psalms --Others to Moses, Solomon, etc. Therefore, most Psalms thought to date to First Temple Period, (ca. 960-587 B.C.) Psalm 137 is clearly referring to the Babylonian Exile (587-538 B.C.) --Therefore, it is considered one of the last Psalms written after the First Temple Period.
Hebrew Poetry: Three Types of Parallelism
Synonymous Parallelism Antithetic Parallelism Synthetic Parallelism
Formation of the Psalter
The Psalter as a "Collection of Collection." Evidence for this: -Existence of Doublets -Preference for Divine Names -Colophon in Psalm 72:20 -Ascription to Individuals.
Superscriptions: Scholarly Evaluation
The Superscripts were added later to the Psalms according to some scholars. Some translations actually OMITTED superscripts. -NEB - Britain, Australia, Canada - no superscriptions. -REB - Revised, added superscriptions back.
The difference between numbering the Psalms in the Hebrew Masoretic Text and the Septuagint (Greek) text.
They are the same for 1-8, then they are 1 off until you get to 148-150. They become the same at the end.
The Date of the Psalter: Modern Critical View
This view sounds a lot like the traditional view. This view believes that most Psalms are pre-Exilic, First Temple, (Some Psalms may be very early) Reasons for this view: -The Ugaritic Texts: texts about the gods that are poetic. they date to 1300 B.C. -The Dead Sea Scrolls: Hodayot Scroll - non-Biblical; worship songs written in Psalm-like manner. they date to 150 B.C. They are very different than Psalms in the Bible. -The Septuagint (LXX) -Absence of Late Historical Allusions - Only David and Solomon are mentioned, Exile is the last historical event that is mentioned. Why aren't other kings mentioned? -Absence of Greek Influence - No Greek terms/ideas present in the Psalms. It seems unlikely that it was written in the Second Temple period - a lot of the Psalms were written early.
Location of Psalms in the Canon: Jewish Canon
Three Sections: -Law -Prophets -Writings - Psalms found in here. It is the first book in the writings.
Information Found in Superscriptions: Selah in the Psalms
Used 71 times in the Psalms, but 3 times in Habakkuk 3. Traditional Interpretations: --LXX: diapsalma --> "pause" --Rabbis: "Forever" (indicating choir to sing) Modern Interpretations --Root SLL: "to lift up" - singers sing louder. --Root SLH: "to bend, bow" - congregation would bow in worship to God.
Information Found in Superscriptions: Musical Terminology: Binginot
Usually translated, "With stringed instruments."
Information Found in Superscriptions: Musical Terminology: 'el hannehilot
Usually translated, "for the flutes."
Information Found in Superscriptions: Musical Terminology: Lamnaseah
Usually translated, "to the leader." Used 55 times. This is written for the person who is controlling the tempo.
Hebrew Word "Psalm"
mizmor From the verb, lamar, "to pluck (a stringed instrument)" Same concept as the Greek translation.