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

Chapter 4: Analysis of Psalms 3-815c). The enemy’s sinister scheme against the psalmist was hatched over aperiod of time.Here the Lord’s judgement upon the wicked takes the form of their ownschemes backfiring on them (vv. 16-17). In keeping with the Old Testamentconcept of justice, they will receive the same punishment they sought toimpose upon the innocent. The wicked “digs” ‏,כָ‏ שָ‏ ה)‏ 14:5:1 and ‏,חָ‏ ץַ‏ ש 40:9:1, v.16a) a “pit” ‏,בוש)‏ 67:7:1, v. 16a and ‏,שַ‏ חַ‏ ת 23:9:1, v. 16b), but falls into his owntrap. His “mischief ‏,ףָ‏ מָ‏ ל)‏ 55:9:2, v. 17a) and “violence” ‏,חָ‏ מָ‏ ס)‏ 60:14:1, v. 17b)come upon his own “head” ‏,ש ‏ֹאש)‏ 599:33:2, v. 17a and ‏,רָ‏ דְ‏ רֹד 11:2:1, v. 17b).The psalm closes with the psalmist vowing to “give thanks” ‏,יָדָ‏ ה)‏ 111:67:2, v.18a) to Yahweh for his “righteousness” ‏,קֶ‏ דֶ‏ ר)‏ 123:50:4, v. 18a). The contextsuggests that he is giving thanks in anticipation of Yahweh’s righteousnessexpressed in judgement upon the wicked (his enemy) and vindication of the‏,זָ‏ מַ‏ ש)‏ praises” righteous (himself). In the parallel, line he promises to “sing45:41:1, v. 18b) to the name of the Lord, “the Most High” ‏,ףֶ‏ לְ‏ יון)‏ 30:21:1, v.18b). “Name” ‏,שֵ‏ ם)‏ 864:109:4, v. 18b) is such a common noun that it would notordinarily call for discussion, but its juxtaposition at the end of Psalm 7 andbeginning and end of Psalm 8 appears to be deliberate.165