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

Chapter 6: Composition of Psalms 3-8suggested that the presence of historical notes in the headings of Psalms 3and 7 identifies them as “the framing psalms of the run of psalms beforePsalm 8”. 127 This may be reading too much into the pattern of the headings. Itis difficult to judge whether the compilers intended the following neat chiasticpattern.Ps 3 historical psalm, regarding AbsalomPs 4 music director’s, with stringed instrumentsPs 5 music director’s, for flutesPs 6 music director’s, with stringed instrumentsPs 7 historical psalm, regarding CushLabuschagne (2007), who considers Psalms 2-8 as a self-contained unit ofseven psalms, 128 believes they were deliberated arranged in a chiastic127 Tate (2001:347) thinks that “Cush, the Benjamite” should be associated with the Cushitewho brought David news of Absalom’s death in 2 Samuel 18. Thus Psalms 3 and 7 providean historical frame around Psalms 3-7, placing them in the context of Absalom’s rebellion—Psalm 3 marks the beginning of the rebellion, while Psalm 7 signals its end.128 Labuschagne believes the editors liked to collect groups of seven psalms. In addition toPsalms 2-8, he sees five other groups of seven psalms: in Book II, there are seven Korahitepsalms (Pss 42-49), two groups of seven Davidic psalms (Pss 51-57 and 58-65), and a mixed240