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

Chapter 4: Analysis of Psalms 3-8sovereign power over “all the earth” and “the heavens” (see Vos and Olivier‏,עֹז)‏ “strength” 2002). So great is his power that he can establish enough76:31:1, v. 3a) in dependant infants to silence his enemies. 90 The depiction ofYahweh’s majesty continues in the first two cola of the second strophe, whichdescribes his awesome power in creating the heavens and setting the moonand stars in place.In stark contrast to the majesty of Yahweh, the psalm uses a string of termsthat portray the weakness and frailty of human beings. “The mouth of babesand infants” (v. 3) may be an allusion to the utter helplessness anddependence of young children. “Infants” ‏,יָנַ‏ ר)‏ 33:1:1, v. 3a) literally refers tobreast feeding babies. Although the word translated “babes” ‏,עולֵ‏ ל)‏ 11:3:1, v.3a) denotes a child of any age, from infancy to adolescence (Swanson1997:§6407), Wilson (2002:202) suggests that when coupled with “infants”it may connote “toddlers” (cf. 1 Sam 15:3, 22:19, Jer 44:7, Lam 2:11, 4:4 ‏,(יונֵ‏ ר)‏and Joel 2:16), those just old enough to walk and talk. The psalmist’s allusionto their “mouths” ‏,פֶ‏ ה)‏ 498:67:2) seems to relate to the vulnerability and90 Although Psalm 8:3 is difficult to decipher, partly because the text has been corrupted, thisappears to be the likeliest interpretation. For a detailed discussion, see Wilson (2002:201-203).173