THE AMALGAMATION OF MOSES AND DAVID IN BOOK IV OF THE PSALTER: AN ANSWER TO THE FAILURE OF THE DAVIDIC COVENANT

Abstract

This study examines Book IV ofthe Hebrew Psalter to understand the editorial purpose ofthe book in itsfinal canonical form. After Wilson, many scholars have agreed that the Psalms is the result ofintentional editorial activity and that Book IV provides an answer to the failure ofthe Davidic covenant illustrated in Ps 89: exalting YHWH’s exclusive kingship over the world and diminishing Davidic kingship. Against the prevailing notion that David is deemphasized in Book IV, I argue that the editors ofthe Psalter anticipate an ideal messianic figure by amalgamating the imageries of Moses, the great intercessor, and David, the great king. This thesis employs canonical and literary approaches to explore the seventeen psalms within Book IV (Pss 90-106), with a special interest in how the book responds to the issue ofthe seemingly broken Davidic covenant in Ps 89.