Trauma, Remembrance, and Healing: The Meeting of Wisdom and History in Psalm 78

The way a text follows, bends, and breaks generic conventions can have a significant impact on the effect the text has on its readers. While wisdom and history generally stand divorced from one another, Psalm 78 unites the two genres. Recognizing patterns reminiscent of Judith Herman's trauma t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Hays, Rebecca W. Poe (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage [2016]
In: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Year: 2016, Volume: 41, Issue: 2, Pages: 183-204
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Bible. Psalmen 78 / Wisdom / History / Psychic trauma / Coping
IxTheo Classification:HB Old Testament
ZD Psychology
Further subjects:B Trauma Theory
B Psalms
B wisdom tradition
B Psalm 78
B Judith Herman
B historical psalm
B Genre
B Walter Brueggemann
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:The way a text follows, bends, and breaks generic conventions can have a significant impact on the effect the text has on its readers. While wisdom and history generally stand divorced from one another, Psalm 78 unites the two genres. Recognizing patterns reminiscent of Judith Herman's trauma therapy approach in Psalm 78 illuminates the way wisdom and history function together in this psalm. Herman's classic model for trauma recovery involves moving the traumatized through three stages: reestablishing safety and stability, remembering and mourning the trauma, and reconnecting with reality. In Psalm 78, wisdom elements establish a sense of safety while historical review prompts the audience to remember its past trauma and reconnect with reality. This article argues that the linking of wisdom and history within Psalm 78 has the effect of creating a safe environment in which a traumatized community can recover and reorient themselves to the reality of their covenant relationship with God.
ISSN:1476-6728
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0309089216628420