Psalm 68 in ancient, medieval and modern interpretation
We base our interpretative study of Psalm 68 on the persuasion that the most objective point of departure for Old Testament exegesis is the body of traditional meanings handed down to us through the Hebrew-based ancient versions and through Judaica. Comparative Semitics may, and at times does, serve to supplement and to correct traditional interpretations; but the specific relationship of tradition with the psalm as opposed to the casual relationship of, say, Ugaritic or Arabic meanings with this particular piece of literature give tradition the fundamental role in establishing the meaning of the Hebrew. Accordingly, we devote the first five chapters to the ancient versions, viz., the Greek, Aramaic, Syriac, Latin and Arabic, in an attempt to determine their value for the modem interpretation of the psalm. While none of the versions discloses an authentic interpretation of the psalm as a unified and coherent whole, for that sense seems to have been lost to them, each one does nevertheless contain various meanings which commend themselves to us as authentic. These are specifically noted. In Chapter Six the commentaries of the three giants of medieval Jewish biblical interpretation are examined: Rashi, Ibn Ezra
Ortlund, Raymond C.
Philosophy
Psalm 68 in ancient, medieval and modern interpretation. We base our interpretative study of Psalm 68 on the persuasion that the most objective point of departure for Old Testament exegesis is the body of traditional meanings handed down to us through the Hebrew-based ancient versions and through Judaica. Comparative Semitics may, and at times does, serve to supplement and to correct traditional interpretations; but the specific relationship of tradition with the psalm as opposed to the casual relationship of, say, Ugaritic or Arabic meanings with this particular piece of literature give tradition the fundamental role in establishing the meaning of the Hebrew. Accordingly, we devote the first five chapters to the ancient versions, viz., the Greek, Aramaic, Syriac, Latin and Arabic, in an attempt to determine their value for the modem interpretation of the psalm. While none of the versions discloses an authentic interpretation of the psalm as a unified and coherent whole, for that sense seems to have been lost to them, each one does nevertheless contain various meanings which commend themselves to us as authentic. These are specifically noted. In Chapter Six the commentaries of the three giants of medieval Jewish biblical interpretation are examined: Rashi, Ibn Ezra
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