A Voice Without End

Using representative interpreters and canonical and literary approaches, Witt uncovers how the book of Psalms develops its own speaking personae. He argues that the introduction to the book in Psalms 1–2 and the association with David in the superscriptions set up the figure of David as the principal voice within Psalms 3–14, constructing a Davidic persona who can speak as an ideal and representative figure, as well as a typological figure, in expectation of the establishment of a just kingdom in the context of the Davidic promises. In addition to its original analysis of Psalms 3–14, this study contributes to Psalms research by sharpening our understanding of the Davidic voice and by showing that key themes and motifs at the seams of the Psalter and in its thematic center are already active and engaged at the very beginning. Further, it helps to bridge premodern and modern psalm interpreters by demonstrating the ongoing value of premodern conceptual models for analyzing voices in the text.

Pathbreaking and eminently readable, this book changes both the way we read the Psalter and how we understand its relationship with David. It will appeal to biblical studies scholars and seminarians.

“This is a well-argued, convincing monograph that is filled with original and illuminating ideas.”—Bradley C. Gregory, Review of Biblical Literature

“A Voice Without End brings to bear on the selected psalms models of interpretation that open up a much wider conversation—not only with the Psalter as a whole but with the wider contours of scripture in its final form. It will benefit biblical scholars with theological interests as well as theologians.”—Trevor Hart, author of Between the Image and the Word: Theological Engagements with Imagination, Language and Literature

“A Voice Without End admirably advances a particular mode of theological interpretation that well understands and builds on the work of previous scholars, such as Chris Seitz. It is a clearly thought-out and well-argued piece of work.”—Walter Moberly, author of The God of the Old Testament: Encountering the Divine in Christian Scripture

Andrew C. Witt is Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Tyndale University.

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

1. The Figure of David and a Canonical Approach to Psalms 3-14

2. The Speaking Persona(e) in the History of Interpretation

3. The Shaping of the Figure of David in the Psalms

4. The Figure of Davide in Psalms 3-6

5. The Figure of David in Psalms 7-14

6. Conclusions and Implications

Bibliography

Ancient Sources Index

Subject Index

Download a PDF sample chapter here: Chapter1