The Literary Strata and Narrative Sources of Psalm Xcix

Abstract

AbstractThe current form of Ps. xcix reflects its position in a collection of texts spanning Pss. xciii-c that addresses the kingship of YHWH and the interests of a 5th century Zadokite establishment. Ps. xcix, however, possesses both lexical and ideological features that point to an earlier literary stratum underlying the current form of the text. An examination of these features suggests that the psalm was initially composed during the reign of David and relates to the transformation of Jerusalem from a Jebusite to an Israelite city, drawing heavily upon the Shiloh tradition and the significance of Mosaic intercession as a means of establishing the sacred parameters of history. A later Zadokite editor included this earlier text in the 5th century collection but augmented it with references to Jerusalem Priestly tradition, facilitating the transfer of religious authority from Mosaic to Zadokite circles.