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

Chapter 4: Analysis of Psalms 3-8might have used these terms with reference to the tabernacle and so see noinsurmountable obstacle to Davidic authorship.The implied circumstances of writing suggest “a person who was falselyaccused or slandered in a way that destroyed standing or rights in thecommunity” (Mays 1994a:58; see vv. 10-11; cf. Goldingay 2006:127). Theinnocent victim approaches God as King 45 (vv. 2-4) so that he, a righteousGod who hates evil (vv. 5-7), might punish the wicked (v. 11) and vindicatethe righteous (vv. 12-13). Some scholars (e.g., Phillips 1988; VanGemeren1991; Motyer 1994; Wilcock 2001; Lane 2006) believe Psalm 5 as written bysomeone who was the object of a slanderous lie. Others (e.g., Weiser 1962;Mays 1994a; Broyles 1999; Terrien) have proposed that it is a professionalcomposition written for ministering to a victim of slanderous lies (e.g., inmorning worship).4.3.3 Setting in lifeThe superscription indicates the same three pieces of information as thesuperscription to Psalm 4. First, it belonged to a collection of Davidic psalmsThird, it ‏.(לַ‏ מְ‏ נַ‏ ֵ ַ ( collection Second, it was part of the music director’s ‏.(לְ‏ דָ‏ וִ‏ ד)‏45 For a full analysis of the biblical metaphor of God as King, see Brettler (1989).122