‘Many are Saying’

The Function of Direct Discourse in the Hebrew Psalter

Rolf A. Jacobson

Copyright © 2004 T&T Clark International

A Continuum imprint

Published by T&T Clark International

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British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the Library of Congress

ISBN 0-567-08193-1

Contents

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Introduction

Chapter 1

Theoretical Considerations

1. Terminology

2. Quotation Theory

i. The ‘Theatrical’ Dimension of Quotation (Quotation as Role Play)

ii. Quotations as Demonstrations

Demonstrations as Nonserious Actions

Important Aspects of Quotations as Demonstrations

Functions of Quotations

Implications

iii. Meir Sternberg’s ‘Proteus Principle’: Context is Everything

iv. Speech-Act Theory

v. Quotations as a Means of Characterizing

3. Direct Discourse in the Hebrew Psalter

i. Identifying and Marking Direct Discourse in the Hebrew Psalter

ii. The Relationship between the Quotation Inset and the Psalm

The Subordination of the Inset to the Frame

Chapter 2

‘They Whet Their Tongues like Swords’: The Function of Enemy Quotations

1. ‘They Set Their Mouths Against Heaven’: Quotations in which the Enemies Attack God

i. Quotations Asserting that God Lacks Effective Power to Save and Help

Psalm 9/10

Psalm 12

Psalm 11

Psalms 14 and 53

Psalm 22

Psalm 59

Psalm 64

Psalm 73

Psalm 78

Psalm 94

ii. Quotations Asserting that God Lacks Fidelity

Psalm 3

Psalm 71

iii. Quotations Asserting that the Lord has been Defeated

Excursus: ‘Where is your/their God?’

Isaiah 10:9–10

Isaiah 36:18b–20

Micah 7:10

Joel 2:17

1 Kings 18:27

Conclusions regarding ‘Where is Your/Their God?’

Psalm 79

Psalm 115

Psalm 42/43

Psalm 74

Psalm 83

Psalm 137

Psalm 2

iv. Conclusions about the Formal Role of Enemy Quotations that Attack God

2. ‘They Open Their Mouths Wide Against Me’: Quotations in which the Enemies Attack the Psalmist

i. The Formal Roles of Quotations in which the Enemies Attack the Psalmist

Psalm 13

Psalms 35, 40, and 70

Psalm 41

ii. Conclusions about the Formal Role of Quotations that Attack the Psalmist

3. The Rhetorical Function of Enemy Quotations

i. Enemy Quotations as Personal Lament

ii. Enemy Quotations as Reperforming the Blasphemy of the Enemy

iii. Enemy Quotations as Instruction

Chapter 3

‘As for Me, I Said’: The Function of Self Quotations

1. The Formal Role of Self Quotations

i. The Role of Self Quotations that Quote Words Spoken in the Past

Psalm 30

Psalm 31

Psalms 32 ands 41

Psalm 39

Psalm 116

Psalm ...