Philip Sumpter, «The Coherence of Psalms 15–24», Vol. 94 (2013) 186-209
This article develops recent arguments that Psalms 15–24 constitute a relatively self-contained sub-collection that is chiastically arranged. It seeks to uncover the logic underlying the arrangement by attending to three points: 1) the manner in which the content of each psalm is 'expanded' and 'brought forward' in its chiastic parallel; 2) the nature of the relation between the framing psalms (15; 19; 24) and those that intervene; 3) the significance of David and Zion. In short, it argues that the editors were concerned to situate David within his true theological context.
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THE COHERENCE OF PSALMS 15–24
righteousness is not just the means by which an individual gains ac-
cess to divine blessing; its realization is also an essential element
within God’s economy of salvation for the cosmos and Israel.
This movement between Psalms 15 and 24 accords with Brun-
ner-Traut’s theory of aspect mentioned above. We have a progressive,
stepwise elucidation of a single subject matter, namely the economy
of salvation (for Psalm 15 is also about salvation, albeit in a more
limited horizon), composed of “self-contained†blocks of material
set in juxtaposition to each other 40. Furthermore, in line with Alter’s
thesis, the contextualization which Psalm 15 receives at the hands of
Psalm 24 is of a narrative quality: the entrance of the righteous indi-
vidual into the place of life is part of a divine entrance into the same
place, understood as the moment whereby creation (vv. 1-2) is con-
summated. I will pick up this narrative theme again in §IV below
when discussing these psalms in relation to Psalm 19. For now we
should note one other pattern of theological development that applies
to our remaining psalms: the “typologizing†of David.
The “who†of Psalm 15 was an individual (note the singular par-
ticiple in v. 5), perhaps the Davidic “author†(cf. Miller, Hossfeld –
Zenger). Psalm 24 opens with a similar focus on the individual (note
the verbs), but concludes climactically by applying this identification
to a group: “Such is the generation of those who have recourse to
him, of those who seek the face of the God of Jacob [LXX]/who seek
your face: Jacob [MT]†41. God’s answer to the Davidic king as an
In order to fully appreciate the editor’s message, it would be helpful to
40
further pursue the kinds of diachronic analysis provided by Matthias Millard
and Hossfeld – Zenger. To what degree were the parts of the psalms composed
for their current context (cf. Hossfeld - Zenger’s redactional approach) or
simply imported as whole cloth from elsewhere (cf. Millard’s “generic-com-
positional†theory). I tend to find that my interpretation strengthens Millard’s
theories of composition, while it also strengthens Hossfeld and Zenger’s ten-
dency to read the Psalter eschatologically.
The MT reading appears to be stronger, despite its unusual syntax. See
41
N. TROMP, “Jacob in Psalm 24: Apposition, Aphaeresis or Apostrophe?â€, Von
Kanaan bis Kerala. Festschrift J.P.M. Van der Ploeg (eds. W C. DELSMAN –
J. PETERS – J. NELIS) (Kevelaer 1982) 271-282. I do not follow Tromp or
Hossfeld – Zenger, however, in reading it as a reference to the eschatological
pilgrimage of the nations to (Jacob in) Zion. Instead, I read it as a chiasm,
whereby “Jacob†stands in parallel to “this isâ€â€” cf. J. GOLDINGAY, Psalms:1;
P. BOTHA, “Answers Disguised as Questions: Rhetoric and Reasoning in
Psalm 24â€, Old Testament Essays 22 (2009) 535-553.
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