“Land” as a Topic in the Book of Psalms?

This essay focuses on land conceptions in the Psalter, dealing with Psalms reflecting on Israel’s history regard land as an integral part of remembrance and YHWH as a powerful and mighty saviour. As he was able to fulfil his promise of land in former times, he is now able to rescue from distress an...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Johannes Bremer
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: OTSSA 2019-09-01
Series:Old Testament Essays
Online Access:https://ote-journal.otwsa-otssa.org.za/index.php/journal/article/view/307
Description
Summary:This essay focuses on land conceptions in the Psalter, dealing with Psalms reflecting on Israel’s history regard land as an integral part of remembrance and YHWH as a powerful and mighty saviour. As he was able to fulfil his promise of land in former times, he is now able to rescue from distress and to grant land for the psalmist’s and subsequent generations. The essay distinguishes between a universal-cosmologic and a particular conception of “land”. Whereas a universal-cosmologic understanding is prevailing, few psalms refer to a particular understanding (i.e., Pss 25; 37; 61; 69). These psalms witness to a conception of “land as reward” in tight connection to a God-fearing life. This thesis of “land as reward” suggests a “metaphorical” application of the concept; further it is accompanied with notions of Zion theology and the theology of poor and poverty. https://doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2019/v32n2a21
ISSN:1010-9919
2312-3621