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Literary Genres of the Psalms

Literary Genres of the Psalms. Canticles of Zion Pilgrimage Psalms. Canticles of Zion. Shir Tzion (“Song of Zion” cf. Ps 137:3) Pss (46); 48; 76; 84; 87; 122; (132) Form of a Canticle of Zion:

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Literary Genres of the Psalms

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  1. Literary Genres of the Psalms Canticles of Zion Pilgrimage Psalms

  2. Canticles of Zion • Shir Tzion (“Song of Zion” cf. Ps 137:3) • Pss (46); 48; 76; 84; 87; 122; (132) • Form of a Canticle of Zion: • Beginning: confessional static expressions, emphatic headings, almost always in the form of predicate nominatives in sentences that describe God as resident and protector of Zion, or Zion as a fortress splendidly furnished and fortified by God

  3. Body: static statements factually supported by sentences with verbs in the perfect tense: the Lord and protector of Zion is YHWH, because YHWH has averted the assaults of the nations • Conclusion: Detailed consequences are sometimes given to the hearers in imperative sentences, preceded by jussive forms enjoining people to acknowledge YHWH (Ps 46:8a, 10), to join in the festal procession or in the song of thanksgiving (Ps 48:12ff), or to perform their vows (Ps 76:10f)

  4. Example of a Canticle of Zion: Psalm 122 • A pilgrimage song. Of David. • 1. I rejoiced when people said to me: • “We are making a pilgrimage to the house of YHWH!” • 2. (Then) our feet stood • In your gates, O Jerusalem!

  5. 3. Jerusalem built as a city, • Especially firmly walled about! • 4. To that place the tribes make their pilgrimage, • The tribes of YHWH! • It is an ordinance for Israel to praise • (there) the name of YHWH.

  6. 5. Indeed, at that place there are • Thrones for judgment, • Thrones for the house of David! • 6. Pray for the salvation of Jerusalem: • May they be at peace who love you! • 7. May salvation reside in your ramparts, • Peace in your palaces!

  7. 8. For the sake of my brothers and friends • I wish salvation for you. • 9. For the sake of the house of YHWH • I will pray for good things for you!

  8. Musical Example:La musique de la Bible revelee

  9. Pilgrimage Psalms (Pss 120 – 134) • Shir ha-ma’aloth = “song of the going-up” • “Songs in a sequence”, “Songs in a series” • Anadiplosis (closing word of a verse or section repeated at the beginning of the section immediately following [Ps 120:2-3, 6-7; 121:1-2, 3-4, 4-5]) • “Wayfaring songs” of the Jews going back up to Jerusalem after the Babylonian Exile

  10. “Song of the steps” (Levites performing songs on the 15 steps of the Nicanor Gate) • “Pilgrimage / Processional Songs” (final act of the pilgrimage = procession to a shrine)

  11. Example of a Pilgrimage Psalm: Ps 121 • A pilgrimage song. • 1. I lift up my eyes to the hills. • From where does help come to me? • 2. Help comes to me from YHWH, • who has made heaven and earth.

  12. 3. He does not let your foot waver, • your keeper does not sleep! • 4. Behold, neither sleeps nor slumbers • the keeper of Israel!

  13. 5. YHWH is your keeper, • YHWH is your shade at your right hand! • 6. By day the sun does not strike, • nor the moon by night.

  14. 7. YHWH protects you against all harm, • he protects your life. • 8. YHWH protects your going out and coming in • from now on and forever.

  15. Musical Example • Sol fa mi fa sol la ti do • My help comes from the Lord • Ti la ti do la ti do re • The maker of heaven and earth

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