| Popis: |
This thesis attempts to demonstrate that the final form of the Psalter has been redacted so as to reflect an anticipated sequence of eschatological events. It therefore falls within the broad discipline of Canon criticism of the Psalter, and builds on the work of scholars such as Childs, Brennan, Wilson, McCann, and Sheppard. Chapter I reviews Psalms interpretation from the Septuagint to modern times, and concludes that with the exception of the period c. 1850-1980, most interpreters have regarded the Psalter as having (i) literary unity and (ii) an eschatological-predictive nature. Chapter II suggests there is internal evidence in the Psalter to support this view. However, contemporary scholarship on the canonical form of the Psalter emphasises either the general eschatological tendency of its arrangement (Childs, Brennan) or else seeks to discern a historical event-sequence in it (Wilson, Sheppard, Walton, Mays). No-one has yet proposed a fully eschatological explanation for the sequence of Psalms. In the remainder of the thesis we attempt to do this. Chapter III suggests the Psalms of Asaph (Pss 50, 73-83) can be read as depicting a sequence of latter-day events beginning with the ingathering of Israel from exile (Ps 50:5) and culminating in the ingathering of an alliance of hostile nations against Jerusalem (Ps 83). Chapter IV suggests the Songs of Ascents (Pss 120-134) can be read as depicting a latter-day pilgrimage to the Feast of Sukkoth in Jerusalem in a post-war messianic malkut. Chapter V examines eschatological programmes in Ezk 34-48, Zech 9-14, and Joel 3-4, and suggests they feature a sequence of gathering motifs: (i) Israel gather from exile; (ii) hostile nations gather against Israel, but are subdued; (iii) Israel and all the nations gather to worship at Sukkoth on Zion. |
