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

Chapter 2: History of Psalms StudiesLabuschagne’s logotechnical analysis only came to my attention near the endof the present study, too late for it to be taken into account in the design andmethodology of my study. It appears to be an innovative line of enquiry thatmay shed new light on the arrangement of the psalms in the Hebrew Psalter.In addition to the specialised articles, theses and monographs discussedabove, several major commentaries published since 1990 show an interest inthe literary relationship between neighbouring psalms and groups of psalms.Examples of this fresh interest are the commentaries by Tate (1990, WordBiblical Commentary; electronic edition, 1998), Hossfeld and Zenger (1993,Neue Echter Bibel), Mays (1994a, Interpretation Old TestamentCommentary), McCann (1996, New Interpreter’s Bible), Wilson (2002, NIVApplication Commentary), Terrien (2003) and, presumably, the forthcomingcommentary by DeClaissé-Walford (2008, New International Commentary onthe Old Testament).2.7 ConclusionThe prevailing attitude towards the Book of Psalms has come full circle. Priorto the rise of historical criticism, it was widely believed to be more than ahaphazard collection of hymns and prayers, although few attempted to provethat it is purposeful arrangement or to identify the purpose of the63