Smith DTh Thesis (final).pdf - South African Theological Seminary

Chapter 4: Analysis of Psalms 3-83:2-4 A: Crisis (2-3) two substrophes: two bicola eachB: Confidence (4) one substrophe: two bicola3:5-7 A: Response (5-6) two substrophes: two bicola eachB: Confidence (7) one substrophe: two bicola3:8-9 A: Petition (8a-b) two substrophes: two bicola eachB: Confidence (9) one substrophe: two bicolaThe overall effect of this structure is to create a three-fold cyclical movementfrom situation to expression of confidence in Yahweh. Accepting the validity ofthe arguments by Terrien, Kselman and Auffret, I believe the flow of the psalmcan be summarised as follows:1. The problem and first declaration of faith vv. 2-42. The protection and the second declaration of faith vv. 5-73. The power and third declaration of faith vv. 8-94.1.5 TerminologyMilitary terminology pervades the psalm (see Croft 1987:46; Gerstenberger‏,בָ‏ שַ‏ ח)‏ “fleeing” 1988:53; Brettler 1993:140). The superscription presents David63:3:1, v. 1) from Saul. בָ‏ שַ‏ ח is a distinctly military term (Kalland 1999:131; cf.97