Levels of contextual synergy in the Korah Psalms: The example of Psalm 86

James Alfred Loader

Vienna and Unisa

ABSTRACT

The essay is based on two observations: First, a single psalm of David (Ps 86) finds itself in the middle of four Korah Psalms, which generates the question as to the meaning of the contextual relationship between one part of a whole and another part of the same whole. Second, a certain form-critical symmetry exists within the group centring on Psalm 86, which generates a further contextual dimension, notably that of genre-related intertextuality. The symmetry and aspects of cohesion within the Korah group as well as the form-critical organisation of the group are considered and conclusions drawn as to several kinds of synergy generated by these relationships, both regarding the individual psalm and its relationships to surrounding collections as well as the Psalter as a whole.

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Correspondence:
Prof. Dr. James Alfred Loader
Faculty of Theology, University of Vienna, Schenkenstrasse 8-10, A-1010 Vienna
Professor Extraordinarius at the Department of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies
P.O. Box 392, UNISA, 0003, South Africa
E-mail: james-alfred.loader@univie.ac.at