Psalms 146-150: the final hallelujah Psalms as a fivefold doxology to the Hebrew Psalter.

Abstract

This dissertation is an attempt to interpret Psalms 146-150 in the context of the Hebrew Psalter, employing a canonical methodology. Chapter 1 introduces a brief history of Psalms studies with a particular emphasis to the recent paradigm shift in the field. The new paradigm discusses the Pslater to be more than a mere anthology of praises and prayers, lacking any purposeful editorial activity. Instead, it considers the Psalter as a book, a literary entity with coherence. Thus this study considers Psalms 146-150 as part of the Hebrew Psalter with a specific function of being fivefold doxology. Chapter 2 analyzes each of Psalms 146-150 as a separate entity, employing largely the traditional form-critical and cult-functional approaches. This analysis provides information concerning their intertextual relationship which Chapter 3 discusses. The result of the analysis reveals that these psalms share numerous key-word and thematic links, such as Yahweh's sovereignty as the Maker of heaven and earth. Chapter 4 examines proposals on the Fifth Book of the Hebrew Psalter as a literary whole and proposes Psalms 146-150 to be non-integral to the Fifth Book based on the following reasons: 1) Psalm 145:21 is the missing doxology to the Fifth Book, and Psalms 146-150 respond to that invitation; 2) Psalms 146-150 form a self-contained unit, nicely enveloped by the initial "Hallelujah" in Psalm 146 and the final "Hallelujah" in Psalm 150 which stay inside the psalm proper; 3) Psalms 1-2 are a twofold introduction and Psalms 146-150 a fivefold conclusion to the Psalter, leaving the same number of psalms in Book I (Pss. 3-41) and Book V (Pss. 107-145); and 4) the fivefold doxologies at the end of each book parallel Psalms 146-150 as the fivefold grand doxologies to the entire Psalter. Chapter 5 examines intertextual relationship between Psalms 1-2 and Psalms 146-150 and concludes that the former invites its readers to consider the psalms to be the instruction from God whose reign must be acknowledged in spite of valleys in life, and the latter to lead a life of praise.