Texts in Conversation
Several psalms end with nearly identical praise formulas that mark clear divisions in the book, appearing at the end of Psalms 41, 72, 89, and 106. These recurring lines help shape the Psalms into five sections, a structure that may have been put in place to mirror the five books of the Torah.
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Psalm 41:13
Hebrew Bible
11 By this I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. 12 As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity; you allow me permanent access to your presence. 13 The Lord God of Israel deserves praise in the future and forevermore. We agree! We agree!
Date: 6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Psalm 72:18
Hebrew Bible
17 May his fame endure. May his dynasty last as long as the sun remains in the sky. May they use his name when they formulate their blessings. May all nations consider him to be favored by God. 18 The Lord God, the God of Israel, deserves praise. He alone accomplishes amazing things. 19 His glorious name deserves praise forevermore. May his majestic splendor fill the whole earth. We agree! We agree!
Date: 6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Psalm 89:52
Hebrew Bible
50 Take note, O Lord, of the way your servants are taunted and of how I must bear so many insults from people. 51 Your enemies, O Lord, hurl insults; they insult your chosen king as they dog his footsteps. 52 The Lord deserves praise forevermore! We agree! We agree!
Date: 6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Psalm 106:48
Hebrew Bible
46 He caused all their conquerors to have pity on them. 47 Deliver us, O Lord, our God. Gather us from among the nations. Then we will give thanks to your holy name, and boast about your praiseworthy deeds. 48 The Lord God of Israel deserves praise, in the future and forevermore. Let all the people say, “We agree! Praise the Lord!”
Date: 6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... In the course of its literary history, the Psalms underwent various stages of formation. Its present shape is marked by a division into five parts—it is probable that the Psalter is seen in analogy to the Torah. The five-part structure is established by the four doxologies in Psalm 41:14; 72:18–19; 89:53; 106:48. This “Torah shape” of the Psalter is also underlined by the introductory Psalm 1, which qualifies the study of the Psalter as Torah study, as well as Psalm 119. In light of the strongly divergent order of the Psalter in Qumran and the theological similarity of the framework of the Psalter as a whole in Psalms 1–2 and 146–50 with the contemporary non-Essene wisdom texts (Book of Mysteries [1Q27; 4Q299–301]; 1Q/4QInstruction), this five-part division hardly arose before the second century B.C.E It is striking that the liturgical tradition in the Psalter was aligned with the form and content of the Torah ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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