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

Chapter 6: Composition of Psalms 3-8the beginning of Psalm 6, however, it is the psalmist himself who seems to beexperiencing God’s discipline (see Ps 6:2). Nevertheless, by the end of thepsalm he is convinced that Yahweh will vindicate him against the enemieswho are seeking to exploit his misfortune; Yahweh will vindicate him byshaming them, troubling them and thwarting them (see Ps 6:11).This theme of God’s anger towards evil and evildoers unfolds against thebackdrop of wicked enemies opposing the more righteous psalmists. It is atheme that is subordinate to that of the psalmists’ enemies.(c) God’s favour (see Table 6.13)This theme is a corollary of the previous one. Just as Yahweh opposes thewicked, so too he blesses the righteous (see Table 6.13). His blessing takes avariety of forms in Psalms 3-8.‏(כָ‏ בוד)‏ “honour” Four psalms contain allusions to Yahweh conferring “glory” orupon the psalmist (see Row 1). In Psalm 3:4, Yahweh is “my glory”, whichseems to be an objective genitive meaning “you give me great honour”(Bratcher and Reyburn 1991:37; cf. Wilson 2002:131; Rawlinson277