In Remembrance of God’s Messianic Vessel – ‘Body’ and ‘Space’ in Psalm 151

Summary: Applying cognitive linguistics to the text of Ps 151 is indispensable for our understanding of the
song. Studying the author’s use of ‘spatial’ and ‘bodily’ markers such as ‘small’, ‘brothers’, ‘hands’, ‘head’,
and a few other spatial features makes it possible to reconstruct the narrative into a ‘cognitive spatial and
bodily framework’. In this particular exegetical framework, Ps 151 can be described as a conflict raging
between an earthly authority / power and the God of Israel. Through this conflict David is recreated as a
vessel or embodiment of God’s authority. During the process of recreation David is elevated from a humanspace
structural environment to partake in God’s god-space. In the conflict between God and the earthly
powers, God’s god-space is invaded and threatened. According to this psalm, God Himself takes action and
recreates David as a vessel to restore his authority and order on earth.