engleski

Grammar of death in the Psalms

Grammar of Death in the Psalms relative to verbs of motion The Psalter is a considerably more emotionally salient biblical book than any other part of the Scripture. Examining the emotional states of the Psalmist, his personal religious experience, and the way it is expressed in psalmodic literature is the objective of this paper. The Psalmist often finds himself in emotion-inducing situations, which give rise to intense emotional stimuli. The way he speaks of his personal and religious experience is parrhetic, unhindered and direct (cf.parrhesia). He speaks openly of his displeasure (fear, resentment, anger), or pleasure (joy, hope, gratification). His reaction to mortal dangers and the fear of death is particulary fascinating. The core of the Psalmist's emotional state is apprehension and unease in relation to his destiny. Existentialist anguish can be found in a number of Psalms, and not only within the lament group (cf.Pss 13 ; 22 ; etc.). His unease can be easily traced even in Psalms of confidence (cf.Pss 11 ; 16 ; etc.). Several factors form the pretext to thanatophobic overtones. One is the threat from his pursuers and enemies, whoever they may be (cf. Pss 13 ; 18). Another is the Psalmist's mortal fear of being abandoned by God. This he regards as a death sentence. The Psalmist's anguish becomes an important leitmotif. SUMMARY: The Psalmodic language of death carries a specific linguistic representation. While death is the ultimate cessation of motion, the dynamics of the linguistic representation of the Psalmist’s thanatophobia is anything but static. It is comprehensively conveyed by motional grammar and verbs of motion. Death is presented as departure ; in directional terms it is downward movement (either to dust or to the Pit). In emotional terms it is physical and mental (psychomotor) agitation. Finally, the Psalmist's experience is inherent to his piety, which is more than 'cultic mode of speech'.

death ; grammar ; parrhesia ; thanatophobia ; orientational metaphors

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