Literary Genres of Psalms Hymns of Praise Songs of Thanksgiving.

Literary Genres of Psalms

Hymns of Praise

Songs of Thanksgiving

Form of Hymn of Praise

• Call to Praise, Wonder, Acclaim

• Body (usually introduced by “ki”)

• Restatement of Call to Praise

A Hymn of Praise:Psalm 117

• 1a. Praise YHWH, all peoples!

• 1b. Praise him, all nations!

• 2a. For his goodness is mighty over us,

• 2b. And YHWH’s faithfulness endures forever.

• 2c. Hallelujah!

• 1a: Praise! YHWH all-of nations

• 1b: Extol-him! All-of the-peoples

• 2a: For he-is-great toward-us love-of-him

• 2b: And-faithfulness-of YHWH to-forever.

• 2c: Praise Yah!

• 1a: Halelu ‘et-YHWH kal-goyim

• 1b: Shavhuhu kal-ha-’ummim

• 2a: Ki gavar ‘alenu haseddo

• 2b: We’emet YHWH le’olam

• 2c: Halelu Yah

Themes of Hymns of Praise

• Praise of YHWH Creator (Pss 8, 19A, 33, 104, [136])

• Hymns of YHWH Melek (Pss 47, 93, 96, 97, 98, 99)

• Harvest Songs [?] (Pss 65 [145])

• Historical Praise (Pss 105, [106], 114, 135, [136])

• Entrance Hymns (Pss 24, 95, 100)

Example of a Hymn of Praise to YHWH Creator (Ps 8)

• To the choirmaster.

• According to The Gittith.

• A psalm of David.

• 1. O YHWH, our Lord,

• how glorious is your name

• in all the world!

• 2. From the mouths of children and infants

• you have built up a bulwark

• because of your foes, to put an end

• to the enemy and the avenger.

• 3. When I behold your heavens,

• the work of your fingers,

• the moon and the stars

• which you have placed there --

• 4. What is man that you think of him,

• and the son of man, that you take care of him?

• 5. You made him a little lower than heavenly beings

• and did crown him with honor and glory.

• 6. You appointed him ruler over the works of your hands,

• everything you laid at his feet:

• 7. Sheep and oxen altogether

• and also the beasts of the field,

• 8. the birds of heaven and the fish of the sea --

• whatever traverses the ways of the waters.

• 9. O YHWH, our Lord,

• how glorious is your name

• in all the world!

Example of a Doxology: Psalm 150

• 1a: Praise YHWH!

• 1b: Praise God in-sanctuary-of-him

• 1c: Praise-him in-heaven-of might-of-him

• 2a: Praise-him for-works-of-power-of-him

• 2b: Praise-him for-surpassing-of greatness-of-him

• 3a: Praise-him with-sounding-of trumpet

• 3b: Praise-him with-harp and-lyre

• 4a: Praise-him with-tambourine and-dance

• 4b: Praise-him with-strings and-flute

• 5a: Praise-him with-cymbals-of clashing

• 5b: Praise-him with-cymbals-of resounding

• 6a: All-of the-breath let-her-praise YHWH

• 6b: Praise YHWH

Psalm 150 in “Reconstituted” Biblical Chant (Haik-Vantoura)

• 1a: Hallelu YH

• 1b: Hallelu El beqarsho

• 1b: Halleluhu birqia uzzo

• 2a: Halleluhu bigburohayu

• 2b: Halleluhu kerob gudlo

• 3a: Halleluhu b-teqa shofar

• 3b: Halleluhu b-nevel w-kinnor

• 4a: Halleluhu b-tof w-mahol

• 4b: Halleluhu b-minnim w-ugav

• 5a: Halleluhu b-tsiltsile shama

• 5b: Halleluhu b-tsiltsile h-ruah

• 6a: Kol hanneshamah t-hallel YH

• 6b: Hallelu YH

Form of a Thanksgiving Psalm

• Combines hymn-form and supplication-form• Introduction: addressed to God or the community

who witnesses the thanksgiving offering• Body: narrative of dangers, attacks, persecution,

confession of faults, expressions of weakness or innocence

• Conclusion: God’s saving intervention and psalmist’s confidence toward the future

Example of a Thanksgiving Psalm (Ps 30)

• A Psalm.

• A Song at the dedication of the temple.

• Of David.

• 1. I will extol you, YHWH, for you have drawn me up,

• And did not let my foes rejoice over me.

• 2: YHWH my God, I cried to you for help,

• And you have healed me.

• 3: YHWH, you brought up my soul from Sheol,

• Restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit / that I should not go down to the Pit

• 4: Sing praises to YHWH, O you his faithful ones,

• And give thanks to his holy name.

• 5: For his anger is but for a moment;

• His favor is for a lifetime.

• Weeping may linger for the night,

• But joy comes with the morning.

• 6: As for me, I said in my prosperity:

• “I shall never be moved.”

• 7: By your favor, YHWH,

• You had established me as a strong mountain;

• You hid your face;

• I was dismayed.

• 8: To you, YHWH, I cried,

• And to YHWH I made supplication:

• 9: “What profit is there in my death,

• If I go down to the Pit?

• Will the dust praise you?

• Will it tell of your faithfulness?

• 10: Hear, YHWH, and be gracious to me!

• YHWH, be my helper!”

• 11: You have turned my mourning into dancing;

• You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

• 12: So that my soul may praise you and not be silent.

• O YHWH my God, I will give thanks to you forever.