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

Chapter 6: Composition of Psalms 3-8Table 6.12: Allusions to God’s disfavour upon the psalmists’ enemiesPsalm 3 Psalm 5 Psalm 6 Psalm 71 God will fightagainst thepsalmist’s enemies(8).• “you strike all myenemies on thecheek”• “you break the teethof the wicked”God rejects thewicked, whocannot enter hispresence (5-7)• “you hate evildoers”• “you destroy liars”• “the Lord abhorsblood-thirsty anddeceitful men”God will fightagainst thepsalmist’s enemies(13-14).• “sharpens hissword”• “strings his bow”• “prepares hisweapons”• “readies his arrows”2 The Lord acts inanger againstsinners (2)• “rebuke me in youranger”• “discipline me inyour wrath”• He shames andtroubles the wickedThe Lord acts inanger againstsinners (7-12)• “arise, Lord, in youranger”• “God feelsindignation”• He ends theviolence of thewicked3 God causes themto reap the evilthey sow (11)• “make them beartheir guilt”• “let them fall by theirown schemes”• “cast them out”God causes themto reap the evilthey sow (16-17)• “falls into the pit hehas dug”• “his mischief returnson his own head”• “his violencedescends on hisown head”296