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

Chapter 4: Analysis of Psalms 3-8refer mainly to males and, in poetic texts, often carry a connotation of strength(see Hamilton 1996b:§408; Oswalt 1999:§310b; Swanson 1997:§1505). 92Instead, he chose ‏,אֱ‏ נוש)‏ אֱ‏ נוש 42:13:1, v. 5a), a term “generally considered topoint to man’s insignificance or inferiority” (Girdlestone 1998:50). In theparallel line, he used בֶ‏ ן־אָ‏ דָ‏ ם which, if it carries any special emphasis, tends to“emphasize the fragile mortality of the human condition” (Wilson 2002:204; cf.Hamilton 1996a:§132.12).The final bicolon of the second strophe also begins a transition to the themeof the third strophe, namely, the value of human beings. Although oneanticipates the psalmist will speak of human insignificance in the light of‏,זָ‏ כַ‏ ש)‏ “remembers” Yahweh’s majesty, he does the opposite. Surprisingly, God232:53:1, v. 5a) and “cares for” ‏,פָ‏ רַ‏ ד)‏ 303:9:1, v. 5b) human beings.Strophes 3 and 4 develop the theme of the humanity’s greatness, expandingon the dignity with which human beings were created (vv. 6-7) and the scopeof their authority over creation (vv. 8-9). The terminology covers humanbeings’ dignity and their authority over the animal kingdom. In spite of92 The view that ‏ּגֶ‏ בֶ‏ ש carries a firm connotation of strength comes from the belief that the nounis derived from בַ‏ ש ‏,ּגָ‏ “to be strong”. Hamilton (1996c:§1505) expresses doubt about thisderivation and the extent to which the connotation of strength is implied.175