Psalm 118: Palm Sunday Reflection (April 13, 2019) (original) (raw)
Gert T M Prinsloo A contextual and intertextual reading of Psalm 118
It is a sine qua non of biblical scholarship that texts should never be interpreted in isolation. Curiously enough ever since the rise of critical biblical scholarship this key aspect of the exegetical process has been largely ignored in the exegesis of the Book of Psalms. Nowhere is this shortcoming better illustrated than in the arbitrary allocation of a social and historical background to virtually any psalm. In this paper the shortcomings of this atomistic approach is illustrated by referring to a specific psalm, namely Psalm 118. A short overview of various interpretational perspectives on Psalm 118 in commentaries and other studies is given. It is argued that a contextual and intertextual reading of Psalm 118 will act as a counterbalance to arbitrary decisions on the interpretation of the psalm. It is the interplay between intra-and intertextual data that guides the exegete towards reconstructing an extratextual context for the poem.
Reading Psalm 117 against an Exilic Context
Psalm 117 is a well-known and at the same time an unknown psalm. It is a well-known psalm because it is known as the shortest psalm in the Psalter. Psalm 117 is also an unknown psalm. There is little reflection on this mini-psalm. This contribution offers an exegesis of Psalm 117 paying attention to the extent, text critical matters, structural features, literary genre, setting in life and tradition material referred to. The article argues for an exilic reading of the psalm over and above the usual post-exilic dating of the psalm.
A contextual and intertextual reading of Psalm 118
Old Testament essays, 2003
It is a sine qua non of biblical scholarship that texts should never be interpreted in isolation. Curiously enough ever since the rise of critical biblical scholarship this key aspect of the exegetical process has been largely ignored in the exegesis of the Book of Psalms. Nowhere is this shortcoming better illustrated than in the arbitrary allocation of a social and historical background to virtually any psalm. In this paper the shortcomings of this atomistic approach is illustrated by referring to a specific psalm, namely Psalm 118. A short overview of various interpretational perspectives on Psalm 118 in commentaries and other studies is given. It is argued that a contextual and intertextual reading of Psalm 118 will act as a counterbalance to arbitrary decisions on the interpretation of the psalm. It is the interplay between intra- and intertextual data that guides the exegete towards reconstructing an extratextual context for the poem.
Psalm 139: A Study in Ambiguity
Old Testament Essays, 2019
The interpretation of Ps 139 remains a deeply contested matter. In particular, the psalm's genre and integrity continue to be debated, with the key issues related to the place of vv. 19-22. Do these verses constitute the key to interpretation, or are they a later interpolation? If they are an interpolation, can we trace the psalm's development back through the material in vv. 1-18 (possibly with some minor expansions), so that vv. 23-24 are seen as a unit displaced from the introduction? Conversely, if vv. 19-22 are original, how do we account for marked change of tone present so that instead of the seemingly bucolic reflections found in vv. 1-18 the text then shifts to an imprecation against the wicked? This paper proposes a unified reading of the psalm which uses ambiguity as a central technique for developing different experiences for those who pray this psalm within the subgroup of the prayers of the accused. It will be argued that ambiguity is an intentional compositional strategy within the psalm, with the effect of the ambiguity different for those who read the poem from the perspective of innocence as opposed to the experience of those who read from the perspective of guilt.
The canonic-responsa reading of Psalm 114 and its theological significance
The redundancy between verses 3,4 and 5,6 of Psalm 114 requires us to ask if it was written to be performed by two choirs singing antiphonally the same text with a 2-verse delay. Setting Psalm 114 in such a canonic responsa fashion yields a highly integrated structure of three composite strophes developing together a theme totally obscured by the linear reading: the future of the pre-Israelite cult of YHWH after the covenant between the god and his new people. All these features, together with the many unresolved problems inherent in the linear reading, suggest that Psalm 114 was indeed designed to be performed in a canonic responsa manner. The theological implications of this reading of the psalm are discussed
Structure, Allusion, Theology, and Contemporary Address in Psalm 106
Bibliotheca Sacra, 2019
A chiastic reading of Psalm 106 reveals its import for Israel and the present day. In addition, the psalms allusions to the period of the judges help the reader consider the psalm s current relevance. The interrelations between Psalms 106 and 107 suggest that Gods people should liturgically rehearse adverse cultural history as penitential intercession-penitence for analogous or related sin and intercession to excise the residual cultural implications. The current need for racial reconciliation within the evangelical church should be seen as an opportunity for the kind of peniten tial intercession urged by Psalm 106.
Listen to His Voice! Pastoral and Theological Considerations in the Liturgical Use of Psalm 95
For centuries, Christians have begun their services of public and private prayer with Psalm 95. It begins with a famous and oft-quoted call to praise, but turns to a dour warning of divine judgment upo faithlessness. In the modern era, some churches that retain Psalm 95 as the opening for their services have abbreviated it by ending the psalm at 7b or 7c, removing the warning of divine judgment. In this paper, I examine the theology engendered by Psalm 95, and discuss the reasons for this liturgical change and argue for its entire retention on the basis of a patristic understanding of the morally formative function of the psalter.
Celebrating Palm Sunday with Matthew’s passion narrative
2019
Twice each year, on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, the reading of the gospel becomes visibly a liturgical event in its own right. On these occasions the dramatic reading with several voices may replace the solitary tone of the deacon/priest. Yet in most parishes this is not only a missed opportunity to do something which can enhance the whole celebration, but can become something counter productive to good communication. At the very least it can become a shambles of voices coming in off-cue, lines-lost, or confused mumbling (“Whose line is it?” “Whose that voice supposed to represent?”). At worst it can it can send hidden signals to the congregation about how we view the passion, the Jews, and the ministry of proclamation.
It is with pleasure that I dedicate this interpretation of Psalm 114 to my teacher and colleague, Shalom Paul, who was among the first to reveal to me the delights of studying biblical literature.
Spectral Sojourn: A Blanchotian Reading on Psalm 116
Psalm 116 is considerably paradoxical, especially with verse 15 in its midst. Longing to release the tension, and so as not to try its unity, certain scholars attempted to adjust it in some ways. Unlike such approach, and nor like other default biblical exegesis (if there is any), this writing reads the psalm as a bound chapter while manoeuvring with some oeuvres of Blanchot. 1 Psalm 116 is a criss-cross threads of life and death. This article will trace the loose ends at its weaving hand, and therefrom, to come at an appeal to YHWH as the spectral witness of death. 1
A Fourfold Reading of Psalm 146 in the Context of the Hebrew Bible
Part of a larger project on Psalm 146 and its reception, this paper will show how the statements of YHWH’s support for the needy in verses 7–9 of the psalm can be interpreted in at least four different ways in the context of the Hebrew Bible: (1) as good news for those who identify themselves as/with the needy; (2) as a moral appeal to those who can support the needy; (3) as a commemoration of YHWH’s deeds in the past; and (4) as an expression of hope for what YHWH will do in the future. The paper will conclude with a number of hermeneutical reflections: Does Psalm 146 itself indicate a preference for one of these interpretations? Or is it an open text that truly allows for these four different lines of interpretation? If so, how does this help readers today to engage with this Psalm? (Abstract as submitted for the IOSOT conference in Stellenbosch, South Africa, September 4-9, 2016)
A POETIC ANALYSIS OF THE HEBREW TEXT OF PSALM 118:1-18
This paper provides a poetical analysis of the first 18 verses of Psalm 118. It was prepared as a part of a Hebrew poetry class (Bible Baptist Seminary). The detailed poetic analysis was helpful in preparing my final thesis on the Canonical exegesis of Psalm 118.