Croft Steven J. L. Croft Identity of the Individual in the Psalms

Annotation

The first monograph devoted to this perennial question in Psalm study for three-quarters of a century, Croft's work provides a fresh and comprehensive treatment. The initial chapters approach the central issue via the associated problems of the identity of the psalmists' enemies and the psalmists' description of themselves as 'poor'. In the remaining three chapters all the psalms in which an 'I' speaks are examined under one of three headings: royal psalms, psalms intended for use by a private person and those to be delivered by a minister in the cult, a prophet, wisdom teacher or temple singer. The fascinating question of the royal ritual is raised in the context of the discussion of royal psalmody and a new reconstruction of this ritual is suggested.