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A Rhetorical Analysis Of Psalm 73

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Situated at the midpoint of the Psalter, Psalm 73, A psalm of Asaph, begins the third book of the five book collection of Psalms. Through Rhetorical analysis, key word definition and an exploration of social context, this exegesis of Psalm 73 will ultimately illustrate the thematic expression of the answer to the question: why the pure suffer while the wicked prosper.
Although the name Asaph is mentioned on other occasions throughout the Old Testament (Neh 2:8, 2 Kings 18:18) the Asaph that the collection of Psalms (Psalm 73 - 83) is attributed is most likely the musician appointed by David who sang at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple.(J.M.E 81) Mentioned on various instances throughout the first and second Chronicles are Asaph and an …show more content…

A biblical scholar, Gertzenberger theorizes that Psalm 73 may have been first presented at a community meeting during the period of the Peruvian government. (Vort, 177). According to Seybold, this particular Psalm did originate during the Persian rule based on evidence in Job and Psalm 37, 39. (Vort, 177) Theological themes, such as the prosperity of the wicked and anguish of the pure, the tension among believers and fellowship with God and the truancy of temple centred theology, were customary during the Persian government. (Vort 177) Yet, Irsigler reckons that an educated Levite composed the psalm to advocate faith to a community facing opposition and threats during the fourth century B.C.E, which corresponds to the second temple. (Vort, 178) Due to the lack of historical evidence, it is arduous to distinguish the specific origin of the text resulting in much speculation. (Vort, 178) Nevertheless, the author employs colloquy similar to Job to deliberate a personal faith experience. During the post exilic period, most scholars agree upon this time based on the proposed audience, there was a “burning need to find God,” a sentiment communicated through Psalm 73. (Vort, 178) Like various other Psalms, Psalm 73 bears a subscript “mizmor le’saph;” which roughly translates to “to pluck,” therefore it is feasible to conclude that it was originally a song sung to a plucked stringed instrument. (167, crisis) Keeping in mind the concept that psalms mirror the ideology of their author rather than examine attributes of God objectively, Psalm 73 divulges the poets yearning for the destruction of arrogant individuals, the commendation of the righteous and a reaffirmed trust in God. (Textbook) (

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