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

Chapter 4: Analysis of Psalms 3-84.6.3 Setting in lifePsalm 8 is the first hymn of praise in the Psalter (Gerstenberger 1988; Tate2001; Clifford 2002; Wilson 2002; Goldingay 2006), ending a sequence of fiveprayers for deliverance (Tate 2001). 88 The heading designates it as “a psalm”The only new ‏.(לַ‏ מְ‏ נַ‏ ֵ ַ ( director belonging to the collection of the music ‏(מִ‏ זְ‏ מוש)‏term introduced in this psalm is ל־הַ‏ ‏ּגִ‏ ִ ית ‏,ףַ‏ literally, “according to the Gittith” (cf.Pss 81 and 84). The meaning of ףַ‏ ל־הַ‏ ‏ּגִ‏ ִ ית is unclear. Bratcher and Reyburn(1991) mention three interpretations that have found favour: (a) the musicalinstrument on which the psalm was played, (b) the tune to which it was sungor (c) the festival in which it was used. Goldingay (2006:154; cf. Maré2006:927) adds that the “Gittite . . . might be the feminine of the word for aperson or thing from Gath.” The Septuagint rendered ףַ‏ ל־הַ‏ ‏ּגִ‏ ִ ית as “for the winepresses” (ὑπὲρ τῶν ληνῶν), seemingly indicating that it was to be sung duringthe grape harvest.Although clearly a hymn of praise, Psalm 8 is a unique praise psalm. “It is theonly hymn in the Old Testament composed completely as direct address to88 Bratcher (2006b) classifies Psalm 8 amongst a group of “specialized thanksgiving (todah)psalms”, in a subgroup that he calls “salvation history”, while Maré (2006:929) refers to it “asa hymn, and more specifically, a creation hymn”.170