Gert T.M. Prinsloo, «The Role of Space in the twl(mh yry#$ (Psalms 120–134)», Vol. 86 (2005) 457-477
This study reads the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120–134) from the perspective of the
concept of "space" and argues that they form as a single, interrelated unit that tells a
meaningful "story". By applying the principles of "critical spatiality" the spatial
orientation of each poem is analysed. The conclusion is reached that the poems can
be grouped together in five triads of three poems each. By mapping "space" and
relating it to the content of the poems in the context of Book V of the Psalter, the
"story" of these poems can be discerned. It is a meaningful story with a sad beginning
but a happy end. The happy end resides especially in the expectation that YHWH
"ascends" with his people towards the eschathological and Messianic future.
464 Gert T.M. Prinsloo
(3b.4a) or “sleep†(4a) but is constantly present as “your shade at your
right hand†(5b) (33) and consequently can protect the petitioner from
all kinds of peril (cf. “sun†[6a] and “moon†[6b] (34); “all evil†[7a] and
“your coming and going†[8ab]). YHWH’s presence surpasses the
constraints of time (“now and for evermore†8b) and space (“heaven
and earth†2b) therefore he can assist the petitioner in his journey from
negative to positive space. The poem contains the first hint that the
petitioner is moving from private to public space when he refers to
YHWH’s protection of “Israel†(4b).
Psalm 122 abounds with terminology that suggests the concept of
“arrivalâ€. As in Psalm 120 concrete, physical space is mentioned. Now,
however, the physical space is positive. The petitioner has arrived in
Jerusalem (35). The petitioner is now at-centre, in the presence of
Yahweh. And Jerusalem has important “symbolic†connotations. It is
a symbol of religious and political authority. 1ab is still suggestive of
the journey. The petitioner states: “I rejoiced with those who told me:
‘Let’s go to the house of YHWH’“. Significantly there is a movement
from first person singular to first person plural in 1ab. The journey
from positive to negative space is also a journey from private space to
public space (36). And now they have arrived at their destination. They
are standing “in your gates, Jerusalem†(2a). Jerusalem is the ultimate
destination of “the tribes of Yah†(4a) (37); their ultimate goal is “to
praise the name of YHWH†(4b). In Jerusalem they are confronted by
the symbols of YHWH’s presence, the “thrones of judgement, the
thrones of the house of David†(5ab). The reference to the “house of
David†emphasises the symbolic value of David, at once historical
king and representative of the Messiah to come (38). The sense of
(33) YHWH thus differs from the vegetation gods of the cultivated land who
die at the change of the seasons (KRAUS, Psalms, 429).
(34) In the Ancient Near East both “sun†and “moon†function as gods and
can cause humans harm (cf. DE LIAGRE BÖHL – GEMSER, Psalmen, 175).
(35) MITCHELL, Message, 113 suggests that the exact context might well be
the three pilgrimage festivals of Passover, Weeks and Tabernacles or Sukkoth
(cf. Exod 23,14-17; 34,18-24; Lev 23,4-44; Deut 16,1-17).
(36) KRAUS, Psalms, 43; J. TEICHMAN, “Psalm 122. Erwünschet den Frieden
Jerusalemsâ€, Aus den Psalmen leben. Das gemeinsame Gebet von Kirche und
Synagoge neu erschlossen (Hrsg. W. STROLZ) (Freiburg – Basel – Wien 1979)
204.
(37) MITCHELL, Message, 113 remarks: “The tribes of Yah would well de-
scribe those in attendance at the feasts, for every male Israelite was required to
attend (Exod 34,23; Deut 16,16)â€.
(38) TEICHMAN, “Psalm 122â€, 205.