Message of the Psalter: An Eschatological Programme in the Book of Psalms (Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies | LHBOTS)

by David C. Mitchell

Publisher:

Sheffield Academic Press

, 1997

Overview

This volume is a contribution to the contemporary debate on the purpose of the Psalms in the Bible. In it, David Mitchell maintains that the Psalms contain a clear and purposeful order and a discernable record of eschatological events—Israel in exile, the appearance of a Messiah, the gathering of Israel, conflicts among nations, suffering, the scattering of Israel in the wilderness, the establishment of Zion, and the prosperity of Israel.

Mitchell explores these themes and more in considerable detail. Beginning with a detailed review of the history of the interpretation of the Psalms, he examines the Psalms of Asaph, the Songs of Ascents, the Messiah in the Psalms, and other eschatological themes in Psalms.

Contents

Top Highlights

“It therefore seems fair to regard the second temple period as a time of growing eschatological hope” (Page 83)

“It maintains that the Hebrew Psalter was designed by its redactors as a purposefully ordered arrangement of lyrics with an eschatological message. This message, as in many other Jewish documents of second temple times, consists of a predicted sequence of eschatological events. These include Israel in exile, the appearing of a messianic superhero, the ingathering of Israel, the attack of the nations, the hero’s suffering, the scattering of Israel in the wilderness, their ingathering and further imperilment, the appearance of a superhero from the heavens to rescue them, the establishment of his malkut from Zion, the prosperity of Israel and the homage of the nations.” (Page 15)

“Likewise the Targum interprets the Psalms as future-predictive” (Page 20)

“Several points suggest that the final form of the Psalter may indeed have been redacted in accord with an eschatological agenda. First, it originated within an eschatologically conscious milieu. The period of its redaction was apparently sometime between the end of the Babylonian exile, as the post-exilic psalms attest, and the translation of the lxx.” (Page 82)

“There seems to be a hint, in the phrase, you have pierced/defiled [חִלַּלְתָּ‎] his crown to the earth, that the Davidic king, like Josiah, has been pierced in battle.” (Page 254)

Product Details

• Title: The Message of the Psalter: An Eschatological Programme in the Book of Psalms
• Author: David C. Mitchell
• Volume: 252
• Publisher: Sheffield Academic Press
• Print Publication Date: 1997
• Logos Release Date: 2011
• Pages: 414
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. Psalms › Criticism, interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 9781850756897, 1850756899
• Resource ID: LLS:MSGPSALTER
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-01-16T19:20:59Z

About David C. Mitchell

David C. Mitchell is a theologian and a musician. In addition to The Message of the Psalter, he has written extensively on the Psalms.