Psalms

This is the thirteenth in a series of biblical summaries from David Dorsey's book: The Literary Structure of the Old Testament.  This is the second in the sub-series of poetic books, covering the Book of Psalms.

Dorsey acknowledges that there doesn't seem to be a rigorous arrangement scheme governing the order of the psalms.  Notably, the psalms are organized into five books:

Book 1 - Psalms 1-41
Book 2 - Psalms 42-72
Book 3 - Psalms 73-89
Book 4 - Psalms 90-106
Book 5 - Psalms 107-150

Each book closes with doxologies.  Book 1: "Praise be to Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  Amen and Amen." (41:13)  Book 2: "Praise be to Yahweh, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.  Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.  Amen and Amen." (72:18-19)  Book 3: "Praise be to Yahweh forever!  Amen and Amen." (89:52)  Book 4: "Praise be to Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  Let all the people say, "Amen!"  Praise Yahweh." (106:48).  As Dorsey writes, Book 5 concludes with the doxological Psalm 150, and perhaps with the doxological series of "Hallelujah Psalms" from 146-150.

Each of the five books has its own distinctives:

Book 1 - Nearly all are attributed to David, and the name "Yahweh" is used almost exclusively when referring to God.
Book 2 - most are ascribed to David or to (or for) the sons of Korah.  The name "Elohim" is normally used rather than "Yahweh."
Book 3 - Most are ascribed to (or for) Asaph or the sons of Korah.  Mostly communal prayers.
Book 4 - All are anonymous.  Most are communal prayers.
Book 5 - Mostly anonymous except for two short collections of Davidic psalms.

From there, Dorsey writes: "The most exciting challenge for structural studies in the Psalter is the analysis of the internal arrangements of individual psalms." (174)  This may be a good place to mention that where I've focused on Dorsey's structures for entire books from the Bible, he also has various structures for smaller passages.  He treats seven different types of arrangements: 1) three-part symmetries, 2) four-part symmetries, 3) five-part symmetries, 4) six-part symmetries, 5) seven-part symmetries, 6) parallel patterns, and 7) linear patterns. 

1) Three-part symmetry: Psalm 72

a   prayer for justice, prosperity, and the king's long life (72:1-7)
     b   CENTER: prayer for ascendancy (72:8-11)
a'  prayer for justice, prosperity, and the king's long life (72:12-17)

Matched repetition emphasizing themes of justice, prosperity, and the king's long life are centered around prayer that the king be granted dominion.

2) Four-part symmetry: Psalm 1

a   righteous keep separate from the wicked (1:1-2)
     b   fruitful, secure state of righteous (1:3)
     b'  barren, insecure state of wicked (1:4)
a'  wicked will be kept separate from the (blessed) righteous on judgment day) (1:5-6)

The structure serves to draw out the contrast between the righteous and the wicked.

3) Five-part symmetry: Psalm 22

a   introductory complaint: God does not hear my cries for help! (22:1-8)
     b   appeal for help (22:9-11)
          c   CENTER: description of dire situation (22:12-18)
     b'  appeal for help (22:19-21)
a'  concluding praise: God has heard my cry for help! (22:22-31)

Repetition emphasizes the psalmist's appeal to God for help and also the contrast between the sorrowful beginning and concluding deliverance, all centered around the psalmist's desperate situation.

4) Six-part symmetry: Psalm 115

a   introductory call to praise (115:1)
     b   nations' taunt (115:2-3)
          c   pagans trust in useless idols that can do nothing (115:4-8)
          c'  let Israel trust in Yahweh, its help and shield! (115:9-11)
     b'  response to taunt (115:12-16)
a'  concluding call to praise (115:17-18)

This structure draws out the contrast between trusting Yahweh and trusting the useless idols of pagan nations.

5) Seven-part symmetry: Psalm 18

a   opening praise (18:1-3)
     b   Yahweh's spectacular rescue of the psalmist (18:4-19)
          c   Yahweh's help came because the psalmist was blameless (18:20-24)
               d   CENTER: Yahweh exalts the humble but brings low the proud! (18:25-29)
          c'  Yahweh is blameless, helping those who appeal to him (18:30-31)
     b'  psalmist's spectacular defeat of his enemies with Yahweh's help (18:32-45)
a'  closing praise (18:46-50)

The structure helps to underscore how the psalmist's spectacular defeat of his enemies is entirely attributed to Yahweh.

6) Parallel structures: Psalm 44

a   our ancestors trusted you, God, for victory, and you granted it (44:1-3)
a'  we also have trusted you, God, for victory, and you granted it (44:4-8)
     b   now you have rejected us (44:9-16)
     b'  but we have not rejected you (44:17-22)
          c   conclusion (44:23-26)

Structure expresses the psalmist's logical appeal for why God should respond.

7) Linear structure: Psalm 150

a   call to praise Yahweh for his mighty deeds and his greatness (150:1-2)
     b   call to praise Yahweh with various musical instruments (150:3-5)
          c   climactic all-inclusive call to praise (150:6)

This structure shows what Yahweh is to be praised for, how he is to be praised, and finally, who is to praise him.