Hope in Suffering and Joy in Liberation: Study of Hebrew Poetry and Wisdom Literature

Topic- Psalms, Book V

Presenters- Atoholi, Nem and Soumya, BDIV

Course Instructor- Rev. Dr. Jagat Santra

Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2
1. Date and Authorship ................................................................................................................................. 2
2. Literary structure ...................................................................................................................................... 3
i. Hymns..................................................................................................................................................... 3
ii. Laments of the nation ........................................................................................................................... 3
iii. Royal Psalms ......................................................................................................................................... 3
iv. Laments of the Individual ..................................................................................................................... 4
v. Thanksgiving of the Individual............................................................................................................... 4
vi. The Song of Ascents ............................................................................................................................. 4
3. Division of Psalms ..................................................................................................................................... 4
4. Structural Proposals of the Fifth Book ...................................................................................................... 5
4.1. G.H. Wilson ........................................................................................................................................ 5
4.2. K. Koch................................................................................................................................................ 5
5. Compositional Structures of the Fifth Book .............................................................................................. 6
5.1. Psalm 107 and Psalm 145 as Frame ................................................................................................... 6
5.2. Psalm 108-110.................................................................................................................................... 6
5.3. Acrostic Psalms 111-112 .................................................................................................................... 6
5.4. The Subgroups Psalms 113-118, 120-34 and 135-36 ......................................................................... 7
5.5. Psalms 138-45 .................................................................................................................................... 7
5.6. Psalm 119 ........................................................................................................................................... 7
5.7. Psalm 137 ........................................................................................................................................... 8
5.8. Psalms 146-150 .................................................................................................................................. 8
6. Theological Theme .................................................................................................................................... 8
7. Message .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 10

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Introduction
The book of Psalms is diverse in its nature with multiple authorship, different periods, numerous
literary types and long history of compilation. The Fifth Book of the Psalms comprises of 44
psalms, 107-150; numerically the longest unit in the book. The book V as a whole belongs to
exilic or post exilic period. 1 In the paper, the group has attempted to highlight certain aspects and
features of this book.

1. Date and Authorship

C. Hassell Bullock, in the book "Encountering the book of Psalms: A Literary and Theological
Introduction", is of the view that the time of compilation for Book V seems to have been exilic or
post exilic period, perhaps as late as the time of Nehemiah (ca. 444-432 B.C.) Psalm 137 refers
the spiritual depression of the exiles, he also points the possibility of it being composed during
the exilic period before the fall of Babylon (539B.C. ). The frequent references to the Psalmist's
enemies and the wicked identifiable in each of these Psalms proves the period of exile, or at the
latest, early post-exilic period to be most appropriate time frame for this book, where the
community was depressed by conquest and exile. 2

When it comes to authorship, it is apparent that various collections of various authors, where
brought together as mini-Psalters based upon authorship or other formal criteria. The largest
cluster of Psalms has been attributed to David. In Book V, Ps. 108-110, 122, 124, 131 and 138-
145 are ascribed to Davidic authorship. In Psalms 120-134 also known as the Songs of the
Ascents, five of these Psalms have attributive titles, four to David (Ps. 122, 124, 131, 133)and
one to Solomon (Ps. 127).Another assumption is based on the accepted view that the term
'ascent' comes from verb 'to go up', therefore, there are two possibilities from where the psalms
might have originated, firstly, the journey of the returning exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem in
the last half of the sixth century B.C. or secondly, the annual journey of pilgrims to Jerusalem at
the agricultural festivals , having the majority consensus, it is evident that these psalms were

1
M.D. Goulder, The Psalms of the Return , (England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998), 13.
2
C. Hassell Bullock, Encountering the Book of Psalms: A Literary and Theological Introduction, (Michigan: Baker
Academics, 2001)68, 69.

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sung by the Israelites as they journeyed to Jerusalem to attend a festival, most likely The Feast of
Tabernacles, as suggested by the harvest imagery present is Ps. 128:2,126:5-6, 127:2, 129:6-8,
132:15. 3

2. Literary structure
According to Gunkel, the classification of the Psalm text is based on the criteria,that belong to a
'Gattung' or type. This for him is a literary model and must be fulfilled before the individual
Psalms are categorized into common grouping. These three conditions are firstly, presence of a
'particular basis of worship' in which all texts are rooted, secondly, there must be a 'common
treasury of thought and feeling' and lastly, a 'shared diction' or a uniform style and structure. 4
Based on the above mentioned criteria, Gunkel classifies the text into eight 'major types' and six
'minor types'. Out of these types, book V falls into the following mentioned categories-

i. Hymns
Ps.111,113,114,135,145,146,148,149,150 are assigned to this section, regarded as 'hymnic' it
deals with songs, profession of faith, prayer and maintained a fixed place in the public worship
of both the first and second temple. 5

ii. Laments of the nation

In book V, Psalm 137, comes under this category. These are prayers of the people/ nation or the
community in the time of trial, an act of worship dedicated to lamentation and atonement. They
build up on lament and supplication, commonly opening with an invocation and closing with a
promise of praise. 6

iii. Royal Psalms

Out of the ten Royal Psalms, two Psalms fall into the Book V, these are Ps. 110 and 132. These
Psalms, recount the 'Ritual of the King' and the Royal Cult at the state sanctuary. 7

3
C. Hassell Bullock , Encountering the Book of Psalms: A Literary and Theological Introduction…, 79.
4
Klaus Seybold, Introducing the Psalms, (Scotland: T & T Cark Ltd., 1990), 112.
5
Klaus Seybold, Introducing the Psalms…, 114.
6
Klaus Seybold, Introducing the Psalms…, 115.
7
Klaus Seybold, Introducing the Psalms…, 115.

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iv. Laments of the Individual
According to H.J. Kraus, there are 36 texts in this category, that deal with a wide variety of
prayers of supplication, invocation, representation of the self, requests, combined with
expression of confidence, motivations for God's intervention, thanks and praises, prayers of
expiation and borderline cases. Ps.109, 130, 140,141, 143 of book V, comes under this category. 8

v. Thanksgiving of the Individual

This has been probably, derived from the Festival of thanks-offering, where the sacrifices where
occasionally replaced by the performance of the Psalm. This includes Ps. 116, 118 and 138, the
purpose of these Psalms was thanksgiving for an experience of deliverance and praise for the
deliverer in the presence of the community. 9

vi. The Song of Ascents

This group is open and includes all the Zion Psalms. These are made up of texts of various types
that might have served the pilgrims as song and prayer books. It includes the collection and fixed
group of Psalms 120- 134. 10 Erich Zenger, divides these fifteen psalms into three groups 120-
124, 125-129, 130-34. He suggests that each of these groups have a central psalm that reflects a
royal theology and the Zion theology, for instance, Ps 122 (Jerusalem), Psalm 127 (the temple)
and Psalm 132 (David). 11

3. Division of Psalms
The book of Psalms is divided into five books that contains a doxology at the end of each of
these books I …41:13; II …72:18-19; III …89:52; IV...106:48; V..150:6. Whether the
doxologies were inserted by the editors or with the presence of the doxologies in particular
psalms prompted the editors to choose those text for the division of the Psalter is still uncertain.
Probably the latter might be the case because there is no strong internal ground for viewing each
of the five books as a complete or self-contained unit. If the divisions were made on the
existence of doxologies then the analogy of the Five Books of Moses to the five so called books
of Psalms may have suggested itself to the editors. But even if such were the case, the
correspondence does not go beyond the number five and there are no strong internal analogies
8
Klaus Seybold, Introducing the Psalms …, 116.
9
Klaus Seybold, Introducing the Psalms…, 116.
10
Klaus Seybold, Introducing the Psalms…, 118.
11
C. Hassell Bullock, Encountering the Book of Psalms...,80

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that can be established between the five Books of Psalms and the five books of Moses. Thus, the
valid reason for the division is still uncertain. 12

4. Structural Proposals of the Fifth Book

Two proposals made by Gerald Henry Wilson and Klaus Koch concerning the structure of the
fifth book of Psalm will be briefly discussed.

4.1. G.H. Wilson

Wilson hypothesized that the first three books were an exilic response to the loss of the Davidic
monarchy and represented the community’s desire for deliverance and restoration. Book IV and
V, for him represents the response to the questions and dilemmas raised in the first three books. 13
In his article, “Shaping the Psalter, 1993, Wilson says that the fifth book is possibly the most
diverse and difficult to sort out partially because there are few landmarks in these predominantly
untitled psalms. There are three major viz…, Psalms 107-117 (a first Davidic group); Psalms
118-135 (the songs of ascents) and Psalms 136-145 (a second Davidic group). These provide a
collection characterised by a Davidic frame and a centre focused on the massive acrostic Psalm
119. Psalm 145 presents a wisdom challenge. This acrostic psalm extols the kingship of YHWH
and God’s love, and it concludes in 145:19-20 with the wisdom admonition: “He fulfils the
desire of all who fear him, he also hears their cry, and saves them. YHWH preserves all who
love him but he will destroy all the wicked.” 14

4.2. K. Koch
Koch proposes a three part division of the fifth book in 1994 but contrary to Wilson, he considers
the final Hallel (Pss. 146-150) to be an element of the fifth book. He divided into three parts each
of which is composed of two elements starting for the observation that each part began as a core
of the titled psalms: 108-10 (psalms of David); 120-134 (the psalms of ascents) and 138-145
(psalms of David). According to him, hymnic additions in the form of hallelujah-psalms were

12
Peter C. Craigie, Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 1-50, (Texas: Word Books, Publisher, 1983), 30-31.
13
Dennis Tucker, Constructing and Deconstructing Power in Psalms 107-150, (Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature,
2014), 7-8.
14
Gerald H. Wilson, ‘Shaping the Psalter: A Consideration of Editorial Linkage in the Book of Psalms’, in Shape and
Shaping of Psalms, ed. Clinton McCann, (England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1993), 78-79.

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appended to each of these partial collections. The praise which is indispensable is justified by the
hesed (kindness) of Yahweh which has been revealed in the history of people. 15

5. Compositional Structures of the Fifth Book

5.1. Psalm 107 and Psalm 145 as Frame
Psalm 107 marks a new beginning by indicating the theme of the fifth book of Psalms with its
first sentence 107: the praise of Yahweh whose hesed reigns until the end of time. The goodness
of Yahweh as set forth in Psalm 107 proves to be the saving power in the midst of all forces of
deadly threats (desert, imprisonment, disease and different waters as images of death) and above
all else, Yahweh as a God who focuses on the poor. Psalm 145 is to praise Yahweh, the king of
the world, whose goodness is revealed in Him, who is merciful and gracious God of Sinai and
who is willing to forgive, and as the God of creation, lifts those who are falling and raises those
who bow down. Though they differ in details, nevertheless both the psalms celebrate the
universal graciousness and power of Yahweh for the purpose of making these known to
humankind so that they can join in the praise of Yahweh. 16

5.2. Psalm 108-110

The three psalms of David consist of two psalms 109 and 110 which have arisen independently
and psalm 108 was compiled from Ps. 57:8-12 and 60:7-14 and was placed before 109 and 110.
It expresses the entire theme of the entire composition: the salvation of Israel as proof before all
nations. Psalm 109 is a psalm of lamentation that intensifies both the description of the distress
and cry for deliverance. Psalm 110 responds to the lament with two divine oracles which
announce an eschatological judgement over the enemies on the day of wrath and proclaim that
Yahweh and the Davidic king enthroned at his right hand will take over the reign of the world.

5.3. Acrostic Psalms 111-112

It is introduced with Hallelujah, in response to the oracles of Psalm 110. Psalm 111 celebrates
Yahweh who turns towards his people in rescue and 112 extol the actions that correspond to the

15
Erich Zenger, The Composition and Theology of the Fifth Book of Psalms, Journal for the Study of Old Testament,
vol 5, Sept 1998, 84.
16
Erich Zenger, The Composition and Theology of the Fifth Book of Psalms…, 89.

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Yahweh praised in Ps 111. Each of the two acrostics shares with the acrostic Psalm 145, the
citation of the Sinai formula, Exod 34:6. 17

5.4. The Subgroups Psalms 113-118, 120-34 and 135-36

Psalms 113-18 have been intentionally edited to form liturgical composition. It is dominated by
the theology of Exodus with Psalm 118 that focuses on the sanctuary of Zion as a goal of
Exodus. Psalms 120-34 (Psalms of Ascents) is an artistic construction consisting of three parts of
five psalms each, 120-124, 125-29 and 130-34. In the middle of each subgroups of five psalms .i.
e 122, 127 and 132, have been influenced by royal theology and the theology of Zion. It acclaims
Zion as a place of blessing and salvation to which Israel should go in ‘ascents’ or a ‘pilgrimage’.
Psalms 135 and 136 are interrelated that speaks in favour of this interpretation as the song which
the nations are supposed to sing according to Ps. 100:5 which corresponds throughout the refrain
of 136.

5.5. Psalms 138-45

According to its title, Psalm 145 is the last psalm of David. Ps 138 is a praise of the name of
Yahweh, a praise “with my whole heart” and “before the gods” alludes to Deut. 6:4-5. For this
reason, the promise in Psalm 145:20 “the Lord watches over all who love him” is directed to the
singer of Psalm 138. Psalm 145 is meant to be praise of the name of Yahweh according to vv1-2
and 21. Both psalms revolve around the theme of the glory and greatness of Yahweh and express
the name of Yahweh through allusions to the divine predictions in Exod. 34:6-7. The four
prayers of supplication, Psalms 140-43 were probably placed together because of their semantic
relationship and they are centred between 138 and 145.

5.6. Psalm 119

Psalm 119, “Psalm of the Law” is the longest poem and it is the literary composition of the
psalmist whose desire is to make God’s law as the governing principle of his conduct. It has been
arranged in acrostic form. 18 It has many connections with its neighbouring psalms in terms of
key words and motifs and it also has a significant structural and theological function in the total
conception of the fifth book. If one takes this psalm as the midpoint then it is probable that this
psalm is a prayer for a life according to the Torah which is the precondition for the advent of the

17
P. Miller, The Beginning of the Psalter in Shape and Shaping of Psalms, ed. Clinton Mc. Cann…, 91-92.
18
Mitchell Dahood, The Anchor Bible, Psalms 105-150, (New York: Doubleday and Company, Inc., 1970), 172.

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universal reign of God of the Exodus and of Zion celebrated in the fifth book of psalms (God of
the Exodus: Pss. 113-118; God of Zion: Pss 120-137). It thus turns out to be the centre of the
entire fifth book of psalms 19

5.7. Psalm 137

Psalm 137 is to be read as a theological commentary on the Zion Psalms (120-136), which has
been pointed out by many authors like G.H.Wilson and N.Lohfink. They said that the Davidic
Psalm 138 is a direct response to 137.

5.8. Psalms 146-150

These psalms contain praising God through hymns that celebrates the power and beneficence of
God. Psalm 148 is a hymn that invites all created beings to praise God and it closes the hymn
with a historical reflection on the relationship between the Lord of the universe and his people
Israel. Psalm 150 serves as a doxology to the entire Psalter. This hymn is more elaborate than the
doxologies found in the first four books. In this hymn, the psalmist invite every living beings to
praise Yahweh with every musical instrument and it seems to have been originally intended for
liturgical use and might have chosen as a final doxology because of its evident fitness. 20

6. Theological Theme
Fifth book of the psalms have less common theological theme than the other books of psalm.
However, the majority of psalms in this book are anonymous, and are mostly hymns of praise of
the same general type as in the IV book. 21

According to Erich Zenger, the fifth book of psalm is framed on the outside by the hymns 107
and 145 which sing the praises of the universal kingdom of YHWH and his saving care for all
creatures. 22 Zenger further says that the inner framework consists of the Davidic collection 108-
10 with the acrostics 111 and 112, and the Davidic collection 138-44 with the acrostics 145.
These two collections depict an eschatological messianic perspective. 23

19
Erich Zenger, The Composition and Theology of the Fifth Book of Psalms…, 92-99.
20
Mitchell Dahood, The Anchor Bible, Psalms 105-150…, 340-150.
21
H.L. Ellison, Bible study of book: the Psalm, (London: Wigmore Steet, 1986),3.
22
Erich Zenger, The composition and theology of the fifth books of psalms...,98.
23
Erich Zenger, The Composition and Theology of the Fifth Book of Psalms…, 99.

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Psalms 108-10 promise the human king universal dominion in participation with YHWH. Psalms
138-44 talks about the universal reign of YHWH. 111, 112 and 145 follow the eschatological
messianic vision of 108-10 and 138-44. These chapters see YHWH as who works wonderful
deeds (niplaot), and who desires for His people and all His creatures. 24

Zenger says, 113-18 and 120-37 are the main section of the fifth book of psalms, and these books
talk how and where the universal kingdom of YHWH begins. 119 is a prayer for the grace to
keep and love the Torah as the fundamental law. 25

7. Message
The fifth book of psalms is more concerned with the meditation and praise to YHWH’s activity.
It sees human being as poor and YHWH as great who can protect from the stormy life, at the
26
same time, who can destroy. This book is also considered as Deuteronomy psalm, because of
its similarity. Psalm celebrates the deliverance of God both in lives of individuals and in the life
of religious community. 27 As most of these psalms are praises, they intend also to teach
concerning the way of folly and the way of wisdom. God rules lives of men and works wonders
of love and power. Fifth book is very careful with how YHWH intervenes in the lives of men.
And it is by prayer, singing and meditation one can come closer to YHWH. 28

As fifth book of psalm directly encounters with YHWH, it concerns God and His Word, showing
that all blessings of man (Book 1), of Israel (Book 2), of the Sanctuary (Book 3), and of the earth
and all men (Book 5), are based upon obedience to the Word of God. 29 It tells that disobedience
brings man sorrows and miseries, however, it is by obedience to God removes curses and brings
blessings. 30 Hence, the fifth book gives the concluding message to the first 4 books.

24
Erich Zenger, The Composition and Theology of the Fifth Book of Psalms…, 100.
25
Erich Zenger, The Composition and Theology of the Fifth Book of Psalms…., 100.
26
Leslie C Allen, Word Biblical Commentary: psalms 101-150, ( united State of America, 1983),64
27
Leslie C Allen, Word Biblical Commentary: psalms 101-150…, 65.
28
Leslie C Allen, Word Biblical Commentary: psalms 101-150…, 66.
29
Jerome F. D. Creach, Yahweh as Refuge and the Editing of the Hebrew Psalter, (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic
Press, 1996), 217.
30
Jerome F. D. Creach, Yahweh as Refuge and the Editing of the Hebrew Psalter…, 218.

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Conclusion
Having discussed its structures and composition of the fifth book, we come to the conclusion that
this book is unique in its structure and content because of its literary structure, different hymns
used for praising YHWH, relationship between God and his people, YHWH as the protector and
deliverer of the people. Above all, the book deals with the universal Kingdom of YHWH and a
theme of eschatology. Thus, the fifth book of Psalms is the concluding message to the first 4
books.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Allen, Leslie C., Word Biblical Commentary: psalms 101-150, United States of America, 1983.

Bullock, C. Hassell, Encountering the Book of Psalms: A Literary and Theological Introduction,
Michigan: Baker Academics, 2001.

Craigie, Peter C., Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 1-50, Texas: Word Books, Publisher,
1983.

Creach, Jerome F. D., Yahweh as Refuge and the Editing of the Hebrew Psalter, Sheffield:
Sheffield Academic Press, 1996.

Dahood, Mitchell, The Anchor Bible, Psalms 105-150, New York: Doubleday and Company,
Inc., 1970.

Ellison, H.L., Bible study of book: the Psalm, London: Wigmore Street, 1986.

Gerald H. Wilson, ‘Shaping the Psalter: A Consideration of Editorial Linkage in the Book of
Psalms’, in Shape and Shaping of Psalms, ed. Clinton McCann, England: Sheffield Academic
Press, 1993.

Goulder, M.D., The Psalms of the Return ,England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998.

Seybold, Klaus, Introducing the Psalms, Scotland: T & T Cark Ltd., 1990.

Tucker, Dennis, Constructing and Deconstructing Power in Psalms 107-150, Atlanta: Society of
Biblical Literature, 2014.

JOURNAL

Erich Zenger, The Composition and Theology of the Fifth Book of Psalms, Journal for the Study
of Old Testament, Vol. 5, Sept 1998.

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