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

Chapter 5: Concatenation in Psalms 3-8Thematic links. The dominant, central themes of these two psalms aredissimilar. The only shared themes that were detected relate to the depictionof the wicked as “evildoers” לֵ‏ י אָ‏ וֶ‏ ן)‏ ‏(פֹףֲ‏ and the psalmist’s appeal to Yahweh’s“steadfast love” סֶ‏ ד)‏ ‏(חֶ‏ as the basis of his approach to Him (5:8) and the basisof his appeal for deliverance (6:5).5.3.3 Basis of arrangementThe strongest links between these psalms come from their headings. Theyshare the designation “a psalm of David” and they both belonged to the musicdirector’s collection. These are common designations that do not inthemselves provide a convincing reason for grouping Psalms 5 and 6. It is theaddition of a third parallel element in the headings, a phrase identifying theinstrument to which the psalm was to be sung, that makes the case forheading-based grouping most convincing.210