The Literary Context Of The Fourth Davidic Grouping In The Psalter (Psalms 138–145) -- By: Dwight C. Singer

Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 75:2 (Fall 2013)
Article: The Literary Context Of The Fourth Davidic Grouping In The Psalter (Psalms 138–145)
Author: Dwight C. Singer


The Literary Context Of The Fourth Davidic Grouping In The Psalter (Psalms 138–145)

Dwight C. Singer

Advocates of the literary-canonical approach, contra traditional critical Psalms scholarship, recognize that the structure of the Psalter in its final form is arranged purposefully in accordance with an editorial agenda. This dissertation completes a microstructural study of Pss 138–145 to substantiate an overarching eschatological-messianic agenda for the Psalter. A literary-canonical approach rigorously applied at the microstructural level investigates the internal coherence of the grouping and its contribution to the eschatological-messianic message.

Royal motifs strengthen the microstructural coherence of the fourth Davidic grouping of psalms. The royal motifs point to the ideal Davidic King of the Psalter, who is not only the idealized portrait of the first King David but also the future ideal Davidic King destined to rule Yahweh’s universal kingdom. The placement of Pss 138–145 in the context of the eschatologically oriented Book 5 of the Psalter corroborates its messianic message. Book 5, the climax of the Psalter, arouses praise for the rule of the great covenant-keeping King Yahweh, manifested in the universal reign of the eschatological Davidic King, whose just reign brings the fullness of kingdom blessings in Yahweh’s eternal kingdom on Zion.

The strategic placement of the fourth Davidic grouping as the final Davidic voice of the Psalter before the Psalter’s soaring finale of Pss 146–150, and its universal praise evocative of the final kingdom, heightens the literary significance of these psalms. The eschatological Davidic King is present. The laments in the fourth Davidic grouping clarify that righteous suffering and kingship are not incompatible in fulfillment of kingdom purposes for Yahweh’s servant, whether King David of the Samuel narratives or the eschatological Davidic King. The eschatological David becomes an exemplar of personal piety and trust in Yahweh; he triumphs because he prays to Yahweh in every instance of distress and hostility. A literary-canonical reading, moreover, in view of an eschatological agenda for the Psalter, constitutes the fourth Davidic grouping as a prophetic word of the eschatological Davidic King.

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