Cited by 4Biblical Studies and InterpretationClassical Studies and PhilologyPoetry Analysis and Criticism

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The Chiastic Structure of Psalm 106

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Martin, Lee Roy·2018·Old Testament Essays

Abstract

This study describes the chiasm that is embedded within the narrative structure of Psalm 106.The author classifies the psalm as a historical recital of Israel's story, but within the psalm's narrative structure there is a chiasm that emphasizes key parallel elements.These elements draw the reader's attention to the themes of praise, prayer, salvation, rebellion and Moses, to name a few.Psalm 106 focuses on Israel's past failures and Yahweh's generous grace, motifs that highlight the need for repentance and forgiveness in any historical context, but especially in the exilic and postexilic periods.

Overview

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TL;DR

Lee Roy Martin argues that Psalm 106, a historical recital of Israel’s story, contains a chiastic structure embedded within its narrative. The chiasm highlights themes such as praise, prayer, salvation, rebellion, and Moses, and supports reading the psalm as a plea for repentance and forgiveness, especially in an exilic or postexilic context.

Key findings

  • Martin proposes a five-part outline of Psalm 106: I. Call to worship “Praise Yah!” (1a); II. Thanksgiving and blessing on the righteous (1b–3); III. Prayer for salvation based upon Israel’s story (4–47); IV. Closing word of praise (48a); V. Renewed call to worship “Praise Yah!” (48b). He differs from Hossfeld’s three-part structure (1–5, 6–46, 47–48) by placing vv. 4–5 within the main narrative.
  • The proposed chiasm runs from A “Praise the Lord” (1) to A′ “Praise the Lord” (48), with parallel elements including D/D′ prayers for salvation (vv. 4, 47), E/E′ remembrance of God’s חסד רב (vv. 7, 45), F/F′ rebellion (vv. 7, 43), I/I′ Moses (vv. 16–18, 32–33), J/J′ Moses and Phinehas “stood up” (vv. 19–23, 28–31), and K/K′ the land and scattering (vv. 24, 27).
  • The narrative in vv. 7–46 includes nine episodes of rebellion, from the exodus to the period of the judges. Martin says the pattern is that Israel rebels, Yahweh judges, Israel cries out, God relents; “repentance happens after, and in response to, the gift of salvation,” not before it.
  • The chiasm emphasizes Moses and Phinehas as intercessors who “stand up” (עמד), and it links Israel’s rejection of the “pleasant land” and scattering among the nations to the exile. Martin argues the psalm’s emphasis is not finally on punishment but on Israel’s rebellion, which necessitates punishment.

Methods

  • This is an exegetical and structural study of Psalm 106, classifying it as a psalm of historical recital alongside Psalms 78, 105, 135, and 136.
  • Martin compares his proposed chiastic outline with those of Robert Alden, Jan P. Fokkelman, Pierre Auffret, and Joachim Vette, and relies on parallels of specific Hebrew vocabulary.
  • The analysis is literary and theological rather than empirical; it discusses the psalm’s Gattung, its relationship to Psalm 105, and its possible liturgical and exilic contexts.

Limitations

  • The paper states no formal limitations section. It acknowledges that its proposal is “more detailed” than Auffret’s and Vette’s and “relies on the parallels of specific Hebrew vocabulary,” which makes the chiastic outline an interpretive construction.
  • Evident from the text: the exilic setting is inferred from v. 47 and from scholarly discussion rather than independently demonstrated. The paper also notes that the monarchy is not mentioned in Psalm 106 and wonders whether an earlier version was later adapted to an exilic audience, a suggestion it leaves as a question rather than a conclusion.

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.17159/2312-3621/2018/v31n3a6

Cites

22 of 22 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Verification

Claims the paper makes

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Show all 3 claims

  • Probably not a substantial claim. 66
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 31
72 of 72
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The two psalms, Psalm 105 and Psalm 106, address two different contexts.

    “Because of their differing perspectives on Israel's history, it seems reasonable to assume that the two psalms address two different contexts.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The juxtaposition of Psalms 105 and 106 in the Psalter is theologically significant and warrants reading them together.

    “D CONCLUSION: READING PSALM 106 IN CONTEXT WITH PSALM 105”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The theological perspectives of Psalms 105 and 106 are normative for contemporary faith communities.

    “Therefore, both Psalm 105 and Psalm 106 are needed by the people of God.”
3 of 3

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Citations

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Show all 29 references

7 of the 29 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 17

  1. Robert L. Alden, "Chiastic Psalms (III): A Study in the Mechanics of Semitic Poetry in Psalms 101-150," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 21.3 (1978), pp. 201-02.
  2. Goldingay, Psalms, III, 217, states that Psalm 105 'does on a small scale what the great OT narrative works do on a large scale'. Cf. James Limburg, Psalms. Westminster Bible Companion (Louisville, KY: Westminister John Knox Press, 2000), 365-66.
  3. Robert L. Cate, 'Psalm 105: The Mighty Acts of God', The Theological Educator 29 (1984): 50.
  4. BIBLIOGRAPHY Auffret, Pierre. "'Afin que nous rendions grâce à ton nom': Étude structurelle du Psaume 106." Studi Epigrafici e Linguitici 11 (1994): 75-96.
  5. Alden, Robert L. "Chiastic Psalms (III): A Study in the Mechanics of Semitic Poetry in Psalms 101-150." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 21.3 (1978): 199-210.
  6. Allen, Leslie C. Psalms 101-150. Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 21; Waco, TX: Word Books, rev. edn, 2002.
  7. Cate, Robert L. "Psalm 105: The Mighty Acts of God." The Theological Educator 29 (1984): 45-50.
  8. Limburg, James. Psalms. Westminster Bible Companion. Louisville, KY: Westminister John Knox Press, 2000.
  9. Mays, James Luther. Psalms. Interpretation. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 1994.
  10. Krista Mournet. "Moses and the Psalms: The Significance of Psalms 90 and 106 within Book IV of the Masoretic Psalter." Conversations with the Biblical World 31 (2011): 66-79.
  11. Mowinckel, Sigmund. The Psalms in Israel's worship. 2 Vols in 1. New York: Abingdon Press, 1967.
  12. Nysse, Richard William. "Retelling the Exodus." Word & World 33.2 (2013): 157-65.
  13. Schaefer, Konrad. Psalms. Berit Olam. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2001.
  14. Wilson, Gerald H. "Shaping the Psalter: A Consideration of Editorial Linkage in the Book of Psalms." Pages 72-80 in Shape and shaping of the Psalter. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1993.
  15. Wilson, Lindsay. "On Psalms 103-106 as a Closure to Book IV of the Psalter." Pages 755-68 in Composition of the Book of Psalms, ed. E. Zenger, Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium 238. Leuven: Uitgeverij Peeters, 2010.
  16. Zenger, E. "The God of Israel's Reign over the World (Psalms 90-106)," Pages 161-90 in The God of Israel and the Nations. ed. N. Lohfink and E. Zenger. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2000.
  17. Zimmerli, Walther. "Zwillingspsalmen." Pages 261-71 in idem, Studien zur alttestamentlichen Theologie und Prophetie: Gesammelte Aufsätze Band II. Theologische Bücherei 51. Munich: Kaiser, 1974.

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Metadata

Authors
Martin, L. R.
Affiliations
University of South Africa (ZA)
Corresponding author
Martin, Lee Roy
Venue
Old Testament Essays
Published
2018
Volume
31
Issue
3
ISSN
  • 1010-9919 (ISSN-L)
  • 2312-3621
OpenAlex
W2924558564
Cited by
2
References
29
Citations by year
2023: 1
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Old Testament Essays (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Biblical Studies and Interpretation
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › Classical Studies and Philology
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › Poetry Analysis and Criticism
Keywords
Psalm 106, chiasm, narrative structure, praise, prayer, salvation, rebellion, Moses, repentance, forgiveness, exilic period, post-exilic period

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