Psalm 8/Figurative
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
Figurative
Metaphor
- vv.2c-3. The (mouth=)words of children (v.3a) are the foundations of a (עז=)stronghold (v.3b). Just as יסד refers to the first stage of the building process (Josh 6:26 & 1 Kgs. 16:34 //hanging doors = final stage of building; 1 Kgs. 5:31; Zech. 4:9 //בִּצַּע = "finish"; Ezra 4:10-11), so childhood is the first stage of human development. If childhood represents the foundation of the fortress, then full-grown man/humanity (אדם/אנושׁ) represents the completed fortress. Yahweh will have stopped his enemies (v.3c) when humanity achieves complete dominion over the earth.,
Metonymy
- v.3a. "At the physical level the mouth is a metonym for a person's speech."[1] This is the most likely interpretation if עֽוֹלְלִ֙ים׀ וְֽיֹנְקִים֘ is interpreted as a merism. However, if עֽוֹלְלִ֙ים׀ וְֽיֹנְקִים֘ is a hendiadys ("nursing children"), then mouth might be a metonym for a sucking.
- v.3b. עֹז may be metonymic for praise, i.e., "praise for the manifestation and putting forth of God's strength"[2] (cf. Ps. 29:1); so LXX (αἶνον).[3] However, עֹז is more likely to refer to a physical structure ("stronghold") than an abstract quality ("strength") (see above).,
Synecdoche
- v.3a. "Children" (עֽוֹלְלִ֙ים׀ וְֽיֹנְקִים֘) stand for the whole of humanity, as the weakest part of humanity. This verse thus sets forth the theme of the psalm: divine majesty through human weakness.,
Merism
- v.3a. The phrase עֽוֹלְלִ֙ים׀ וְֽיֹנְקִים֘ includes older children (עֽוֹלְלִ֙ים) and younger children (וְֽיֹנְקִים֘) and probably refers to children as a whole (cf. 1 Sam. 15:3; 22:19; Jer. 44:7).,
Anthropomorphism
- vv.2-10. Yahweh is a king. His majesty fills heaven and earth (vv.2-3a). Like earthly kings, he has vengeful enemies (v.3bc), and he has built a fortress in order to stop their attacks (v.3bc). He has delegated his royal authority to human beings (vv.6-7).
- v.4a. Yahweh has fingers.
- v.7a. Yahweh has hands.,
Rhetorical questions
v.5. "The first stanza swells to its finale with the question that is posed in v.5. This daunting question... is the axis on which the poem pivots."[4],
Idioms
- v.7b. To be under one's feet is to be in subjection to their authority. "Feet... figure in situations in which someone has authority over a person or place... Vanquished enemies are under the feet of their conquerors (Josh. 10:24; 1 Kings 5:3; Ps. 8:6; 45:5; 110:1; Isa. 49:23; 60:14; Mal. 4:3)."[5]
- ↑ Leland Ryken, James Wilhoit, and Tremper Longman III, eds, “Mouth” in Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1998).
- ↑ E.W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech in the Bible (London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1898), 584.
- ↑ Dominique Barthélemy, Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament: Tome 4. Psaumes, https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-150304
- ↑ Nancy L. deClaisse-Walford, Rolf A. Jacobson, and Beth LaNeel Tanner, The Book of Psalms, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2014).
- ↑ Leland Ryken, James Wilhoit, and Tremper Longman III, eds, “Feet” in Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1998).