Psalm 17 Story behind the Psalm
About the Story Behind Layer[ ]
The Story behind the Psalm shows how each part of the psalm fits together into a single coherent whole. Whereas most semantic analysis focuses on discrete parts of a text such as the meaning of a word or phrase, Story Behind the Psalm considers the meaning of larger units of discourse, including the entire psalm. (Click 'Expand' to the right for more information.)
The goal of this layer is to reconstruct and visualise a mental representation of the text as the earliest hearers/readers might have conceptualised it. We start by identifying the propositional content of each clause in the psalm, and then we identify relevant assumptions implied by each of the propositions. During this process, we also identify and analyse metaphorical language (“imagery”). Finally, we try to see how all of the propositions and assumptions fit together to form a coherent mental representation. The main tool we use for structuring the propositions and assumptions is a story triangle, which visualises the rise and fall of tension within a semantic unit. Although story triangles are traditionally used to analyse stories in the literary sense of the word, we use them at this layer to analyse “stories” in the cognitive sense of the word—i.e., a story as a sequence of propositions and assumptions that has tension.
Story Behind Visuals for Psalm 17[ ]
Summary Triangle[ ]
The story triangle below summarises the story of the whole psalm. We use the same colour scheme as in Participant Analysis. The star icon along the edge of the story-triangle indicates the point of the story in which the psalm itself (as a speech event) takes place. We also include a theme at the bottom of the story. The theme is the main message conveyed by the story-behind.
Background ideas[ ]
Following are the common-ground assumptions which are the most helpful for making sense of the psalm.
- It was the prerogative of those considered to be upright by the standards of YHWH's law to "assume the privilege of the righteous and pray for vindication" (Craigie 2004, 163; TWOT, 752-753). Moreover, it was expected that those who lived a righteous life would, therefore, be heard by God, especially when they entreated him for justice (Pss 5; 7:4-6, 9-11; 34:16-18; 66:18-19; 84:12; Prov 15:8-9; 29; 2 Chron 7:14) (Delitzsch 1883, 291-293).
- Appealing to YHWH to punish one's enemies involved presenting a convincing depiction of one's enemies with regard to egregious nature of the evil they were guilty of (Keel 1997, 85, 96-97). Vivid descriptions of the treacherous ways of the wicked are seen to accompany the imprecations spoken against them (Pss 5:10-11; 28:3-5; 56:2-3, 6-7; 58:3-6; 109:2-5, 16-20) (Keel 1997, 97).
- "The experience of God in the temple is described as 'seeing God' or 'the face of God' (Pss 42:2; 63:2; 84:7)" (Keel 1997, 201). However, there is no firm indication in Psalm 17 that David is taking part in an incubation ritual of some sort.
Background situation[ ]
The background situation is the series of events leading up to the time in which the psalm is spoken. These are taken from the story triangle – whatever lies to the left of the star icon.
Expanded paraphrase[ ]
The expanded paraphrase seeks to capture the implicit information within the text and make it explicit for readers today. It is based on the CBC translation and uses italic text to provide the most salient background information, presuppositions, entailments, and inferences.
For legend, click "Expand" to the right
- Close but Clear (CBC) translation
- Assumptions which provide the most salient background information, presuppositions, entailments, and inferences
v. 1[ ]
A prayer. By David. YHWH, hear a righteous case which I bring because of my enemies who threaten me! Pay attention to my cry because I have been wronged, though I am upright! Listen to my prayer which is made without deceitful lips!
v. 2[ ]
May my judgment come from you because you are just and discerning. I am aligning with you in asking this. May your eyes see and act upon uprightness.
v. 3[ ]
You who see into human hearts have examined my heart; you have inspected [my heart] at night when human behavior is less constrained; you have tested me in order to determine whether I am at fault; yet, you find nothing blameworthy because I live uprightly before you. What I say is not different from what I think.
vv. 4-5[ ]
As for what other people may do, whether good or bad, I have restrained my violent behavior and that of others by the word of your lips because it enables me to know and do what is right, even as my steps have continually been persisting in your ways. My feet have not slipped.
v. 6[ ]
I have called out to you, God, for you answer me because you made a covenant with me and are faithful to it. Incline your ear to me! Hear what I am saying because you hear and respond to those who are righteous!
v. 7[ ]
Carry out your covenant acts wondrously like you did when you freed your people from the tyranny of Pharaoh, deliverer of those who take refuge at your right hand from their adversaries.
vv. 8-9[ ]
Guard me like the apple of your eye because we are in covenant relationship! You must hide me in the shade of your wings from wicked people who have been violent toward me without just cause, from my many ravenous enemies who gather around against me to attack me again!
v. 10[ ]
They have enclosed their [heart with] fat, resolving to show me no mercy; they have spoken arrogantly with their mouths intimidating and threatening me.
v. 11[ ]
They have tracked me down; now they surround me. They fix their eyes to scan over the land so that I cannot move without them seeing and pursuing me.
v. 12[ ]
The chief of my enemies is particularly threatening. He is like a lion eager to maul and I am the prey he is after; and he is like a vigorous lion lurking in hiding places so that he can ambush me unexpectedly.
vv. 13-14[ ]
Arise, YHWH because I am not able to deliver myself! Confront his face! Cause him to bow down! Deliver my life from wicked people by your sword. Deliver me from mortal men, by your hand, YHWH, from worldly people who do not care about living for you whose chosen portion is in life which they live aloof from you. May you fill their belly with what you have stored up for them which is your judgment of them because of their wicked deeds! May the children eat their fill of your just punishment and have some of your continued punishment on them for their ancestors' wickedness left over for their little ones so that even they also experience your judgment, YHWH, on account of their forebears' evil deeds!
v. 15[ ]
After being vindicated by you, God, because you see that my cause is righteous, may I see your face. That is, may I experience you more fully. And may I be more deeply satisfied with seeing your likeness when I awake.
Story Triangles[ ]
