The Literary Structure of the Fifth Book of the Hebrew Psalter: A Structural Analysis and Canonical Reading of Psalms 107–150

Abstract

This thesis maintains that the fifth book of the Hebrew Psalter subdivides into three sections, each of which portray the coming Davidic King from a different angle in order to present a three-dimensional messianic portrait. Chapter 1 introduces the topic of this study by overviewing Psalms scholarship, highlighting evidence that supports a canonical approach to reading the Psalter as a unified book, and outlining the study’s methodology and thesis. Chapter 2 then argues for the tripartite literary structure of Psalms 107–150, and also discusses the fifth book’s eschatological orientation. Next, chapters 3–5 respectively analyze Psalms 107–118, 118–136, and 136–150, devoting particular attention to the way in which the fifth book’s literary and structural contours recursively develop its eschatological, messianic message. Lastly, chapter 6 concludes with a brief summary tying the threads of the discussion together.