Sigmund mowinckel — And beyond

Abstract

From a scholarly point of view Sigmund Mowinckel's influence on Psalm studies cannot be overestimated; he has made convincing contributions to the understanding of the Psalms. But Mowinckel's focus on the cult has had as a consequence that many scholars have ignored the literary qualities of the Psalms. A literary approach to the Psalms is therefore needed. In my analysis of Psalm 11 raise the questions about the placement of Ps 1 in head of the collection (redactional criticism), the poetic features in Psalm 1, the intertextuality and the theology of Psalm 1 (ideological criticism). In Psalmenstudien Mowinckel claimed that Psalm 1, and maybe Psalm 112, are the only Psalms in the Psalter which cannot have been written for cultic use. Psalm 1 is a late imitation of Jer 17, 5–8 and besides, it is poor poetry. In the article I argue that as poetry Psalm 1 is not so bad, but it is neither good theology nor an appropriate introduction to the Book of Psalms.