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

Chapter 5: Concatenation in Psalms 3-8Functional links. The headings of the two psalms offer no links beyond thefact that both are לְ‏ דָ‏ וִ‏ ד psalms. After a string of five individual laments (Pss 3-7), Psalm 8 is the first hymn of praise in the Psalter. Since we know nothingabout how either Psalms 7 or 8 were used in ancient Israel, it is impossible tojudge whether a liturgical purpose was partly responsible for their consecutiveplacement in this collection of psalms.Thematic links. There are two thematic similarities between the two psalmsthat do not relate directly to specific shared terminology. The primaryconnection between them relates to the movement to praise Yahweh’s nameat the end of Psalm 7, which is developed fully in Psalm 8. Two threads inopening stanza of Psalm 8 reinforce the appropriateness of using it as asequel to Psalm 7.1) Terms such as אַ‏ דִ‏ ש and הוד in 8:2 depict the Lord’s sovereign, majesticpower over heaven and earth. This resonates with the psalmist’s pleasfor Him to intervene in righteous judgement in the affairs of men (Ps 7).2) God’s enemies in 8:3, described in identical language to the psalmist’senemies in Psalm 7 איב)‏ and ‏,(קשש are silenced by “babes and infants”.Just as in Psalm 7, the Lord protects and vindicates those who areinnocent and helpless against their fierce enemies.225