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

Chapter 5: Concatenation in Psalms 3-8two psalms. The psalmist’s attitude towards the wicked reflects concern inPsalm 4, but contempt in Psalm 5. In Psalm 4, the lies of the wicked appear tobe aimed at the psalmist, whereas this is not explicit in Psalm 5.What does all this reveal about the arrangement of these psalms? Thecumulative effect of the verbal and thematic links suggests that the editorstried to find a suitable psalm to place after Psalm 4. Psalm 5 was the mostsimilar one they could find. It may not be a perfect match for Psalm 4, but itdoes develop several of the same themes. If Psalm 4 is the psalmist’s appealfor his lying enemies to repent, then Psalm 5 might easily be interpreted as itssequel, depicting how the Lord will vindicate the righteous and destroy theunrepentant.206