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

Chapter 4: Analysis of Psalms 3-8hear his prayer and be gracious to him (vv. 3, 9-10). His steadfast loveprovides sound basis for confidence that he will deliver (v. 5).The dominant portrait of Yahweh emerges as he who is sovereign over healthand sickness, life and death. “The entire span of sickness and health isunderstood in relation to the Lord. Life and death of a person are in God’shands. No other cause is contemplated, and no other relief is sought” (Mays1994a:60). Consequently, in a time of desperate need, the psalmist pressestowards Him with great intensity, seeking deliverance in a change ofYahweh’s treatment of him from “discipline” (v. 2) to “mercy” (v. 3).4.5 Psalm 74.5.1 Textual variantsBriggs (1906:56; cf. Goldingay 2006:142, note e) describes יִשַ‏ דֹפ (v. 6) as “aMasoretic conceit”, that is, an attempt to combine the Qal דֹפ)‏ ‏(יִשְ‏ and PielCraigie (1998:96) believes “there is some MSS evidence to suggest ‏.(יְשַ‏ דֵ‏ פ)‏that the Qal is the best reading”, but the NET Bible interprets it as a Piel. Forthe purposes of this study, we will leave the question open.In verse 7, the Masoretic Text reads “and awake” עּושָ‏ ה)‏ ‏(וְ‏ whereas theSeptuagint has simply “awake” (ἐξεγέρθητι). The Septuagint is more forceful149