Structure as a Clue to Rhetoric: Discourse Analysis of Psalm 89:1–53

Abstract

Abstract:Fresh analysis of familiar texts has the potential to yield intriguing results. Discourse analysis of Psalm 89 serves as a case in point. Since few scholars have analyzed Psalm 89 using discourse analysis, this article aims to fill a gap in the literature on Psalm 89 by closely analyzing the discourse structure of the final form of the Hebrew text. Moreover, based on the discourse analysis, this article draws attention to the movements of the psalm and to the neglected role of Psalm 89:53 in the rhetoric of the final form of the psalm. The structure of the final form of Psalm 89 suggests that YHWH deserves praise despite his apparent violation of the Davidic covenant.