Literary Genres of Psalms Hymns of Praise Songs of Thanksgiving

Form of Hymn of Praise Call to Praise, Wonder, Acclaim Body (usually introduced by “ki”) Restatement of Call to Praise

A Hymn of Praise: Psalm 117 1a. Praise YHWH, all peoples! 1b. Praise him, all nations! 2a. For his goodness is mighty over us, 2b. And YHWH’s faithfulness endures forever. 2c. Hallelujah!

1a: Praise! YHWH all-of nations 1b: Extol-him! All-of the-peoples 2a: For he-is-great toward-us love-of-him 2b: And-faithfulness-of YHWH to-forever. 2c: Praise Yah!

1a: Halelu ‘et-YHWH kal-goyim 1b: Shavhuhu kal-ha-’ummim 2a: Ki gavar ‘alenu haseddo 2b: We’emet YHWH le’olam 2c: Halelu Yah

Themes of Hymns of Praise Praise of YHWH Creator (Pss 8, 19A, 33, 104, [136]) Hymns of YHWH Melek (Pss 47, 93, 96, 97, 98, 99) Harvest Songs [?] (Pss 65 [145]) Historical Praise (Pss 105, [106], 114, 135, [136]) Entrance Hymns (Pss 24, 95, 100)

Example of a Hymn of Praise to YHWH Creator (Ps 8) To the choirmaster. According to The Gittith. A psalm of David. 1. O YHWH, our Lord, how glorious is your name in all the world!

2. From the mouths of children and infants you have built up a bulwark because of your foes, to put an end to the enemy and the avenger.

3. When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have placed there What is man that you think of him, and the son of man, that you take care of him?

5. You made him a little lower than heavenly beings and did crown him with honor and glory. 6. You appointed him ruler over the works of your hands, everything you laid at his feet:

7. Sheep and oxen altogether and also the beasts of the field, 8. the birds of heaven and the fish of the sea -- whatever traverses the ways of the waters.

9. O YHWH, our Lord, how glorious is your name in all the world!

Example of a Doxology: Psalm 150 1a: Praise YHWH! 1b: Praise God in-sanctuary-of-him 1c: Praise-him in-heaven-of might-of-him 2a: Praise-him for-works-of-power-of-him 2b: Praise-him for-surpassing-of greatness- of-him

3a: Praise-him with-sounding-of trumpet 3b: Praise-him with-harp and-lyre 4a: Praise-him with-tambourine and-dance 4b: Praise-him with-strings and-flute 5a: Praise-him with-cymbals-of clashing 5b: Praise-him with-cymbals-of resounding 6a: All-of the-breath let-her-praise YHWH 6b: Praise YHWH

Psalm 150 in “Reconstituted” Biblical Chant (Haik-Vantoura) 1a: Hallelu YH 1b: Hallelu El beqarsho 1b: Halleluhu birqia uzzo 2a: Halleluhu bigburohayu 2b: Halleluhu kerob gudlo

3a: Halleluhu b-teqa shofar 3b: Halleluhu b-nevel w-kinnor 4a: Halleluhu b-tof w-mahol 4b: Halleluhu b-minnim w-ugav 5a: Halleluhu b-tsiltsile shama 5b: Halleluhu b-tsiltsile h-ruah 6a: Kol hanneshamah t-hallel YH 6b: Hallelu YH

Form of a Thanksgiving Psalm Combines hymn-form and supplication-form Introduction: addressed to God or the community who witnesses the thanksgiving offering Body: narrative of dangers, attacks, persecution, confession of faults, expressions of weakness or innocence Conclusion: God’s saving intervention and psalmist’s confidence toward the future

Example of a Thanksgiving Psalm (Ps 30) A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the temple. Of David. 1. I will extol you, YHWH, for you have drawn me up, And did not let my foes rejoice over me.

2: YHWH my God, I cried to you for help, And you have healed me. 3: YHWH, you brought up my soul from Sheol, Restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit / that I should not go down to the Pit

4: Sing praises to YHWH, O you his faithful ones, And give thanks to his holy name. 5: For his anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, But joy comes with the morning.

6: As for me, I said in my prosperity: “I shall never be moved.” 7: By your favor, YHWH, You had established me as a strong mountain; You hid your face; I was dismayed.

8: To you, YHWH, I cried, And to YHWH I made supplication: 9: “What profit is there in my death, If I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10: Hear, YHWH, and be gracious to me! YHWH, be my helper!”

11: You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12: So that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O YHWH my God, I will give thanks to you forever.