Full Description
This work argues the message of the Psalter is one of hope—utopian hope to be exact.
Despite increasing scholarly consensus that the Psalter is a carefully organized collection, there remains debate concerning the message of such a collection. S. D. Ellison outlines a narrative impulse that sustains expectations of a better future by assuring readers that one day Zion will be glorified, enemies vanquished, and the Davidic dynasty embodied in a new Davidic king. This argument advances that of Gerald H. Wilson and refines that of David C. Mitchell. Ellison advocates a reading which defends the claim that the Psalter encourages its reader to hope for a new Davidic king. It clarifies that this king will usher in a kingdom of peace by vanquishing all enemies and so rule from a transformed Zion. The utopian hope of the Psalter's narrative impulse is not a return to what once was, but an encouragement to remain confident that YHWH will realize all his promises in a new era of blessing following the exile. Reading the Psalms as utopian literature sustains hope for a new David in the Psalter's narrative impulse.
Contents
Dedication
List of Tables
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
Part One: The Literary Landscape
Chapter 1: Ancient Precedents, Current Trends, and Future Directions
Part Two: A Narrative Impulse
Chapter 2: Book One: The Rise of the King
Chapter 3: Book Two: The Rise of the Kingdom
Chapter 4: Book Three: The Exile
Chapter 5: Book Four: Future Hope
Chapter 6: Book Five: A New David
Part Three: A Biblical Utopia
Chapter 7: Defending Biblical Utopia
Chapter 8: Delineating Biblical Utopia
Part Four: Reading Psalms in the Narrative Impulse
Chapter 9: Psalm 110: Yhwh has Sworn
Chapter 10: Psalm 132: Yhwh has Chosen
Chapter 11: Hope for a Davidic King in the Psalter's Utopian Vision
Conclusion
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Bibliography
About the Author
