Bread for the world: Toward an agrarian reading of the Psalter (or, reading the Christ “psalmologically”)

Abstract

Building upon the work of Ellen Davis, especially her Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible, this article analyzes the Psalter from an agrarian perspective. Davis concludes that the Old Testament was largely written, compiled, and edited by agrarians, with the exception of the royal traditions. While the Psalter clearly evidences a royal/messianic stamp, there is also reason to conclude that the final form of the Psalter criticizes the monarchy, ultimately looking to God as the true sovereign who will do what the earthly kings were supposed to do but failed to do—that is, feed their people. Particular attention is given to Psalms 72 and 85, along with Book V of the Psalter, which contains repeated affirmations that God will provide food for the world.