The Promised Davidic King: Psalm 108’s Canonical Placement and Use of Earlier Psalms
Reading psalms in context
The Psalter is a carefully edited work, skillfully arranged to communicate a theological message. The Promised Davidic King is a case study of how a single psalm shapes—and is shaped by—its context in the Psalter. Wyatt Aaron Graham argues that Psalm 108 plays a guiding role in Book V (Pss 107–150). Following Israel’s return from exile in Psalm 107, Psalm 108 introduces the eschatological King and kingdom further developed in Psalms 109–110. Psalm 108 repurposes Psalms 57 and 60, which in this location, take on renewed meaning in the Psalter’s unfolding story of redemption.
Graham’s study of Psalm 108 gives insight into the meaning of the Psalms and displays the benefits of reading psalms in their context.
Praise for The Promised Davidic King
This fresh study of Psalm 108—a psalm frequently overlooked in Psalter studies—is most welcome. Psalm 108 is shown to entail profound theological reflection on other psalms as they pertain to the Davidic kingship. Graham’s study provides vital insights into the historical construction of the Psalter.
—Michael A. G. Haykin, chair and professor of church history, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY
Graham’s insightful study of the Psalms is very rich theologically. His introduction to the various interpretations of the Psalter’s macrostructure—and its reuse and recontextualization of individual psalms—is extremely valuable. A worthwhile and important contribution to Psalter studies.
—Stephen Dempster, professor emeritus of religious studies, Crandall University; author of Dominion and Dynasty: A Biblical Theology of the Hebrew Bible
Graham’s treatment of Psalm 108 argues that the editor of Psalms was a biblical theologian, and his research bolsters evidence for a Davidic and eschatological reading of book five. It also provides an important model for the way that reading individual psalms in light of the shape and flow of the book sheds significant light on their meaning. Far from a random conjoining of portions of Psalms 57 and 60, Graham convincingly argues that Psalm 108 leads readers to hope in an eschatological Davidic king. I warmly recommend this helpful book.
—Ian J. Vaillancourt, associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, Heritage Theological Seminary; author of Treasuring the Psalms: How to Read the Songs that Shape the Soul of the Church
Studies in Scripture and Biblical Theology
Studies in Scripture and Biblical Theology is a peer-reviewed series of contemporary monographs exploring key topics and issues in biblical studies and biblical theology from an evangelical perspective.
Learn more about the other titles in this series.
- Introduction
- Thesis and Method
- History of Interpretation
- History of Canonical and Biblical Citation Research
- Translation and Exegesis of Psalm 108
- Psalm 108 with Psalms 57 and 60
- Psalm 108, 109, and 110
- Conclusion
- Title: The Promised Davidic King: Psalm 108’s Canonical Placement and Use of Earlier Psalms
- Author: Wyatt Aaron Graham
- Series: Studies in Scripture and Biblical Theology
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2023
- Pages: 200
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 6x9
- ISBN: 9781683596790
Wyatt Aaron Graham is executive director of The Gospel Coalition Canada.