In die Skriflig (Jun 1997)

Eerlik met God in die krisisuur

  • H. Olivier,
  • P. Swanepoel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v31i3.1608
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 31, no. 3
pp. 199 – 214

Abstract

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The quintessence of the hypothesis stated in this article is that the genre of penitential psalms requires a finer definition. This would ensure a clearer disclosure of theological abundance within the literature of the book of Psalms and contribute to our understanding of human suffering. Two categories are distinguished in the penitential psalms, namely the non-God-lament psalms which still bring praise to God and the God-lament psalms. In the God-lament psalms a protest is entered against God and He is approached as an aloof bystander or an active antagonist. Simultaneously, however, the complaint is issued from within the relationship of trust the poet has in Yahweh by virtue of the covenant