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

Chapter 5: Concatenation in Psalms 3-85.1 The relationships between Psalms 3 and 4Many scholars have sensed a strong similarity between Psalms 3 and 4,positing different reasons for the connection between them. They have notedverbal similarities (e.g., VanGemeren 1991; Wilcock 2001; Goldingay 2006;Lane 2006), suggested a similar occasion of writing (e.g., Ross 1985; Phillips1988; Motyer 1994; Wilcock 2001; Lane 2006) and viewed them as morningand evening psalms in a temple hymnbook (e.g., Feinberg 1948; Weiser1962; Craigie 1998; Broyles 1999; Goldingay 2006). Many years ago,Scroggie (1948:56) drew attention to several points of similarity:A careful reading of Psalms iii and iv will show that they areclosely related in structure, circumstances, and time. In each arefour stanzas; each reflects a time of great danger, and thatdanger appears to be one and the same in both Psalms.This comment reflects the author’s intuitive sense that these two psalms areabnormally similar. The question of concern is this: based on the availableevidence, which similarities best account for their close relationship in the finalordering of the Psalter?182