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

Chapter 4: Analysis of Psalms 3-8allowance for the implied trial setting of the psalm (so Wilcock 2001), it fitsperfectly into the classic mould of a lament psalm.A. Invocation: he invokes God for deliverance vv. 2-3B. Lamentation: he ‘laments’ his innocence vv. 4-6C. Petition: he calls upon Yahweh for justice vv. 7-10D. Confidence: he affirms trust in Yahweh’s judgement vv. 11-17E. Praise: he vows to praise Yahweh’s righteousness v. 18This simple outline remains true to the psalm’s strophic structure whilesimultaneously allowing its coherence as a literary unit in spite of itsseemingly disparate elements.4.5.5 TerminologyThe opening invocation (vv. 2-3) contains three depictions of Yahweh and oneof the psalmist’s enemies. In an urgent appeal for help, he describes the Lordas his “refuge” ‏,חָ‏ סָ‏ ה)‏ 37:25:2, v. 2a), that is, his place of safety and protection.‏,נָ‏ קַ‏ ל)‏ “deliver” 205:57:4, v. 2b) and ‏,יָשַ‏ ע)‏ “save” Then he appeals to Yahweh to213:45:1, v. 2c) him. The portrait that will emerge later suggests he has fled tothe Lord as King and Judge, appealing to Him to judge and act in his defence(see Wilcock 2001:34, 36-37; Lane 2006:50). His reason for needing refuge is‏,שָ‏ דַ‏ פ)‏ “pursuers” identified as “all my pursuers”. To depict the ferocity of his157