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

Chapter 2: History of Psalms Studiesis defined by quantities of syllables, metric feet, verses, stanzas,and so forth.Using detailed statistical analysis, Labuschagne (2006a-d; 2007) compiled animpressive array of numerical data suggesting that the editors of the Psalterwere conscious of numerical patterning at all levels of composition—individualpsalms, small groups of psalms and the overall arrangement of the Psalter. 15He has compiled evidence of numerical patterns at both the micro (individualpsalms) and macro (collections of psalms) levels. With respect to the latter,Labuschagne (2007:2) remarks:My point of departure is the insight that not only the individualpsalms but also the Five Books and the Psalter as a whole aremeticulously designed works of art, numerical compositionsproduced by word artists of the highest order. Therefore, I shallexamine their numerical features and tentatively assess the15 Professor Duane Christensen is directing a similar major project at The Berkley Institute ofBiblical Archaeology and Literature (BIBAL). This project also focuses on advanced numericalpatterns in the Hebrew Bible, particularly the Psalter. Christensen provides a detailed analysisof the structure of each individual psalm. These are available at www.bibal.net.60