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Originally Posted by Kaalvenist  The only question I have concerning your view regards Psalm 137. I give full authority to the titles of the Psalms, and to 2 Chronicles 29:30 (they both figure largely in my own argument for EP); but just as Psalm 90, by its title, clearly predates the Davidic period, I cannot help but see Psalm 137, by its internal testimony, as antedating the Davidic period, and written probably during the Babylonian exile. |
Yes, well this psalm has been the crux of an exilic "terminus a quo" for the final compilation of the Psalter. Having read the great majority of commentators on this psalm I am yet to find one piece of internal evidence which substantiates the theory. I am not saying I am closed to the possibility; but one requires more than mere speculation to overturn hard evidence, and it has not been forthcoming. The bare mention of "Babylon" is not internal evidence, especially considering the "mystical" importance of the word in the OT as it conveys the idea of the seat of opposition to the kingdom of God. Verse 7 goes on to describe the entity to which this mystical appellation refers, namely, Edom, and the captivity pertains to their designs against the city of Jerusalem. This could refer to any period of time from David onwards. Besides, even if it were literal, there is no reason why the Psalmist could not be speaking prophetically, which we acknowledge was the case with the pre-exilic prophets.