Abstract:
Shachar is identified primarily as a primary noun that is translated as ‘dawn’ within the Hebrew
Bible, yet one must not ignore its mythical dimension. Within the Davidic trilogy Psalms 108–
110, Shachar takes on an important function, concerning the unity and the message of the
trilogy within Book V (Pss 107–150) of the Book of Psalms. A process of restoration (of honour
and identity) and hope is announced within Psalm 108 and started within Psalm 110 for Israel
after a time of war and exile. This is demonstrated through the mythical, royal and temporal
dimensions of Shachar as two dawns within Psalm 108:3 and Psalm 110:3.
Description:
This article represents a reworked version of aspects from the PhD dissertation of Lodewyk Sutton, titled, ‘A Trilogy of War and
Renewed Honour? Psalms 108, 109 and 110 as a Literary Composition’, in the Department of Old Testament Studies, University of
Pretoria, with Prof. Dr Dirk Human as supervisor. (http://hdl.handle.net/2263/50795)
