The Psalms as Prophecy Jonathan Numada, PhD The Psalms as Music Collection The Psalms – It is difficult to place the Psalms – Songs/Poetry? – Prophecy? – Wisdom? – The Psalter is used for all the above The Psalms Psalm Genres Examples Hymns (Tehillim) Enthronement Psalms (of YHWH), Ps 93 Thanksgiving Psalms Ps 18 Royal Psalms (human king) Ps 2 Lament Psalms (individual, communal) Ps 69 Wisdom and Torah Psalms Ps 37, 119 Entrance Liturgies (Temple) Ps 15, 24 The Psalms Enlil, the eminent one, the sovereign (god), whose utterance is trustworthy, Nunamnir, the eternal shepherd of the Land, who hails from the Great Mountain, The great counselor, the leader of heaven and earth, who is in control of all the divine offices. The Psalms as Prophecy The Psalms – Psalm Titles – Added in Later – Some may have contributed to eschatology – Example: Psalm 69 – Hebrew: “To the Leader; according to Lilies. Of David.” – Greek: “Regarding Completion. Over those that shall be changed. Pertaining to David.” David Becomes a Prophet David Gets the Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the Holy Spirit midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah. (1 Sam. 16:13) Music as Prophecy David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps and cymbals … (1 Chr. 25:1) David as a 2 Sam 1:18; 22:1 Musician The Psalms Five-Book structure → like the Torah • Book I: Psalms 1-41 • Book II: Psalms 42-72 Elohistic Psalter: 42-83? • Book III: Psalms 73-89 • Book IV: Psalms 90-106 • Book V: Psalm 107-150 David Becomes the Author of the Psalms – Real Author of the Psalms – Unknown. Many. – David as Author in Reception History – Skilled Musician (1 Sam 16:14-23) – 2 Sam 1: Lament for Saul and Jonathan – 2 Sam 6: Cultic Singer – 1 Chron 6:31; 1 Chron 15:16: Worship Coordinator Psalms in the New Testament The Psalms – John 2:17 → His disciples remembered that it is written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” (69:9) – John 15:25 → “They hated me without cause.” (69:4) – Romans 15:3 → “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me” (69:4)..