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

Chapter 4: Analysis of Psalms 3-83); and (c) a declaration of confidence in Yahweh’s assistance (v. 4). Thus thefirst strophe contains a full movement of a lament psalm—call, complaint,confidence.The second strophe (vv. 5-6) contains a series of six commands to theprotestors. These are grouped into three sets of two (three bicola), 37 whichshow a three-step progression from anger, to calm and ultimately to praiseand trust. The series of six commands reflect a distinct upward movementfrom “trembling” (with rage or fear) to “worshipping” (offering sacrifices).v. 6 Offer sacrifices . . ., and trust in the Lordv. 5b Mediate . . ., and be stillv. 5a Tremble, and do not sinThe final strophe (vv. 7-9) also consists of three bicola. In the first bicolon, thepsalmist states the doubt of “many” and responds by asking God to show his37 Terrien (2003:95) counts “one tricolon and one bicolon,” but it is more natural for each ofthe six imperatives חֱ‏ תָ‏ אּו)‏ ֶ , though imperfect in form, is part of a prohibition) to govern its owncolon.113