Shape and Message of Book III (Psalms 73

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This study of Book III of the Psalter examines evidence for the canonical organization of these seventeen psalms and finds cohesive links that create a consistent and coherent dialogue throughout. Continual laments by a righteous individual on behalf of and in concert with the nation spring from the non-fulfillment of hopes raised in Psalm 72 at the end of Book II. Divine answers give reasons for...

In spite of the fact that Psalm 73’s speaker is mollified by assurance that the wicked will be destroyed eventually according to the promise of 72, the complaints and laments erupt again and again (Psalms 77, 79, 80, 83, 85, 86, 88) and Book III concludes (Psalm 89) on the same note. The specific pattern of promise, complaint at the opposite conditions to those promised, reassurance, and then further complaints is not new, since the Psalter opens in the same manner. If Psalm 2 reaffirms the promises

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