Forty-Two Songs for Elohim: An Ancient Near Eastern Organizing Principle in the Shaping of the Elohistic Psalter

Abstract

This article identifies a scholarly consensus that has emerged regarding the place of the Elohistic Psalter (Pss. 42-83) in the growth and development of the book of Psalms. Based on this shaping framework, this study discusses the organizational and thematic significance of the number 42 in this portion of the Psalter, as suggested recently by Laura Joffe. On the basis both of evidence internal to the book of Psalms (including the Dead Sea manuscripts) and comparisons with ancient Near Eastern hymnic and religious texts, this article concludes that the number 42, as well as the use of the divine designation ‘Elohim’, did indeed function as an organizing principle in the formation of the Elohistic Psalter.