Psalms of Solomon as Solomonic Discourse: The Nature and Function of Attribution to Solomon in a Pseudonymous Psalm Collection

Updated by: 
Michal Drori Elmalem
Research notes: 
MDE/Reader Checked/19/11/2015
Reference type: 
Journal Article
Author(s): 
Gordley, Matthew E.
year: 
2015
Full title: 

Psalms of Solomon as Solomonic Discourse: The Nature and Function of Attribution to Solomon in a Pseudonymous Psalm Collection

Journal / Book Title || Series Title: 
Journal for the study of the Pseudepigrapha
Volume: 
25
Issue / Series Volume: 
1
Abbreviated Series Name: 
JSP
Pages: 
52-88
Work type: 
Essay/Monograph
Abstract: 

This article explores the significance of an author or later editor's decision to ascribe the psalms collected in Psalms of Solomon explicitly to Solomon. Drawing on the work of Hindy Najman, this study concludes that associations with Solomon (and particularly with earlier psalms and prayers ascribed to Solomon) are central to the discourse of Psalms of Solomon and critical to promoting the teaching of this psalm collection. In particular, the attribution of these psalms to Solomon appears to have provided a means of undermining the claims of Herod the Great as a Jewish king in the tradition of Solomon, while at the same time reinforcing the authors’ Deuteronomic perspective on the events of their era.

Hebrew bible: 
Book: 
1 Kings
Chapter(s): 
8
Book: 
Psalms
Chapter(s): 
127
Book: 
Psalms
Chapter(s): 
72
Book: 
Psalms
Chapter(s): 
30
Primary Texts: Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha: 
Composition / Author: 
Psalms of Solomon
URL: 
http://jsp.sagepub.com/content/25/1/52.full.pdf+html
Label: 
21/09/2015
Record number: 
100 861