Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

CiteULike is a free service for managing and discovering scholarly references - click here to get started.

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Miller, R. D.
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Complore   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati   Add to Twitter  
What's this?

The Gentiles in the Zion Hymns: Canaanite Myth and Christian Mission

Robert D. Miller

Dr Robert D. Miller is Associate Professor in the School of Theology and Religious Studies, the Catholic University of America, Washington DC, USA

The Psalms are an underused resource as a biblical basis for mission, especially since the Gentiles are treated more positively in the Psalms than in most of the rest of the Old Testament. In the Psalms, the inclusion of the Gentiles in the community of God focuses on their coming to Zion. This article explores what that means in the context of Israelite religion and the Canaanite images it borrowed. Hermeneutical conclusions are drawn from this and the history of interpretation of these Psalms in order to enrich the theology of mission.

Key Words: Mission • Zion Hymns • Israel • Canaanite Myth

References

  • Albright, W.F. ( 1950) ‘Baal Zaphon’, in W. Baumgartner, 0. Eissfeldt, K. Elliger, and L. Rost (ed.) Festschrift für Alfred Bertholet. Tübingen: J. C. B. Mohr.
  • Albright, W.F. ( 1919) ‘The Mouth of the Rivers’, American Journal of Semitic Languages and Literatures 35: 161-95.[CrossRef]
  • Altmann, Peter ( 1964) Erählungstheologie und Universalismus im Alten Testament, Beiträge zur Zeitschrift für Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 92. Berlin: Alfred Töpelmann.
  • Anderson, Bernard W. ( 2000) Out of the Depths, 3rd edn. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox.
  • Announcing the Kingdom (2003) Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.
  • Bauckham, R. ( 2003) Bible and Mission. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.
  • Being as Communion (1985) Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
  • Berthier, P.G.F. ( 1831) Les Psaumes. Lyon: Perisse Frères.
  • Bevans, Stephen B. ( 1993) ‘The Biblical Basis of the Mission of the Church in Redemptoris Mater’, in C. Van Engen, D. S. Gilliland, and P. Pierson (eds) The Good News of the Kingdom. Maryknoll: Orbis.
  • Bevans, Steven B. and Schroeder, Roger P. (2004) Constants in Context, American Society of Missiology Series 30. Maryknoll: Orbis.
  • Bible and Mission (2003) Grand Rapids: Baker.
  • Booij, T. ( 1987) ‘Some Observations on Psalm lxxxvii’, Vetus Testamentum 37: 16-25.
  • Bos, J.W.H. ( 2001) ‘Psalm 87’, Interpretation 47: 281-5.
  • Bovati, Pietro ( 1988) ‘La Missione nella Religione dell’Antico Israele’, in G. Ghiberti (ed.) La Mission nel Móndo Antico e nella Bibbia. Bologna: Edizioni Dehoniane.
  • Bratcher, R.G. and Reyburn, W.D. ( 1993) A Handbook on Psalms. New York: United Bible Societies.
  • Brook, John ( 1992) The School of Prayer. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical.
  • Brueggemann, W. ( 1997) Theology of the Old Testament. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress.
  • Brunert, Gunild ( 1996) Psalm 102 im Kontext des Vierten Psalmenbuches, Stuttgarter Biblische Beiträge 30. Stuttgart: Katholisches Bibelwerk.
  • Burfeind, Carsten ( 1995) ‘Paul, his Apostleship, the Collection, and the Unity of Jews and Gentiles’, Dissertation, University of Durham.
  • Burke, P. ( 1993) History and Social Theory. Ithaca. NY: Cornell.
  • Cheyne, T.K. ( 1891) Origin and Religious Content of the Psalter, Brampton Lectures 1889. New York: Thomas Whittaker.
  • Childs, Brevard ( 1993) Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress.
  • Clifford, R.J. ( 1972) Cosmic Mountain in Canaan and the Old Testament, Harvard Semitic Monographs 4. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  • Cohn, R.L. ( 1977) ‘The Mountains and Mount Zion’, Judaism 26: 97-115.
  • Congar, Yves ( 1939) Divided Christendom. London: Centenary.
  • Cortese, E. ( 2004) Preghiera del Re, Rivista Biblical Supplement 43. Bologna: Edizioni Dehoniane.
  • Crenshaw, J. ( 2007) The Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
  • Danielou, Jean ( 1950) The Salvation of the Nations. New York: Sheed and Ward.
  • Dannell, G.A. ( 1949/1953) ‘Idea of God’s People in the Bible’, in Anton Fridrichsen (ed.) Root of the Vine. Westminster: Dacre Press.
  • Day, John ( 1985) God’s Conflict with the Dragon and the Sea. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Day, John ( 2002) Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan. New York: Continuum.
  • De Groot, A. ( 1966) Bible on the Salvation of the Nations. De Pere, WI: Norbert Abbey Press.
  • De Savignac, R.J. ( 1953) ‘Note sur le sens du terme Saphon dans quelques passages de la Bible’, VT 3: 95-6.
  • De Savignac, R.J. ( 1984) ‘Le sens du term Saphon’, Ugarit Forschungen 16: 273-8.
  • Dietrich, M. and Loretz, O. ( 1990) ‘Ugaritisch srt s pn srry und Hebraisch jrktj spwn’, Ugarit Forschungen 22: 80-1.
  • Dion, Paul-Eugene ( 1975) Dieu Universel du People Elu, Lectio Divina 83. Paris: Éditions du Cerf.
  • Dulles, Avery ( 1995) ‘John Paul II and the New Evangelization’, in William Houck (ed.) John Paul II and the New Evangelization, pp. 2-16. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press.
  • Dunn, James ( 2003) Jesus Remembered. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
  • Du Preez, J. ( 1999) ‘The Missionary Significance of Psalm 117’, Missionalia 25: 308-23.
  • Eissfeldt, O. ( 1932) Baal Zaphon, Zeus Kasios, und der Durchzug der Israeliten durchs Meer, Beiträge zur Religionsgeschichte der Altertums 1. Halle: Max Niemeyer Verlag.
  • Emerton, J. ( 2000) ‘The Problem of Psalm lxxxvii’, Vetus Testamentum 50: 183-99.[CrossRef]
  • Farkasfalvy, Denis ( 1983) ‘The Case for Spiritual Exegesis’, Communio 10: 332-50.
  • Filbeck, David ( 1994) Yes, God of the Gentiles, Too. Wheaton: Billy Graham Center.
  • Fowl, Stephen ( 2001) God’s Beautiful City, Renewing Radical Discipleship 4. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock.
  • Fretheim, T. ( 1967) ‘Psalm 132’, Journal of Biblical Literature 86: 299
  • Geffré, Claude and Jossua, Jean-Pierre ( 1980) ‘Editorial’, Concilium 135: vii-ix.
  • Gehman, James A. (2006) Basic Missiology. San José, Costa Rica.
  • Gelin, Albert ( 1964) The Psalms are our Prayers. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical.
  • Gerstenberger, E. ( 1974) ‘Psalms’, in J. H. Hayes (ed.) Old Testament Form Criticism. San Antonio, TX: Trinity University Press.
  • Gordon, R.P. ( 2004) Holy Land, Holy City. Carlisle: Paternoster.
  • Hausmann, J. ( 1999) ‘"Gott ist König über die Völker": Der Beitrag von Ps 47 zum Thema Israel und die Völker ’, in J. A. Loader and H. V. Kieweler (ed.) Vielseitigkeit des Alten Testaments, Wiener Alttestamentliche Studien 1. New York: Peter Lang.
  • Healey, J. ( 2007) ‘From Sapanu/Sapunu to Kaison’, in W. G. E. Watson (ed.) He Unfurrowed His Brown and Laughed, Alter Orient und Altes Testament 299. Münster: Ugarit-Verlag.
  • ‘Israel’s Prayer and Universal Mission’ (1983), in D. Senior and C. Stuhlmueller (eds) The Biblical Foundations for Mission. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.
  • Joyce, P. ( 1993) ‘The Kingdom of God and the Psalms’, in R. S. Barbour (ed.) The Kingdom of God and Human Society, pp. 42-59. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.
  • Kasper, Walter (1984/1997) God of Jesus Christ. New York: Crossroad.
  • Keel, O. ( 1978) The Symbolism of the Biblical World. New York: Seabury Press.
  • Koch, Klaus ( 1993) ‘Hazzi-Kasion’, in Bernd Janowski, Klaus Koch, Gernot Wilhelm (eds) Religionsgeschichtliche Beziehungen zwischen Kleinasien, Nordsyrien und dem Alten Testament ( Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis 129; Freiburg: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1993), pp. 171-223.
  • Körting, C. ( 2006) Zion in den Psalmen, Forschungen zum Alten Testament 48. Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck.
  • Lauha, A. ( 1943) Zaphon, Annales Academieae Scientificarum Fennicae 49.2. Helsinki: Druckerei der Finnishen Literaturgesllschaft.
  • Legrand, L. ( 1990) Unity and Plurality. Maryknoll: Orbis.
  • L’Engle, Madeleine ( 1980) Walking on Water. Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw.
  • Lescrauwaet, J. ( 1965) Bible on Christian Unity. De Pere, WI: St. Norbert Abbey Press.
  • Loaves and Fishes (1963) New York: Harper & Row.
  • Lohfink, N. ( 1991) ‘The People of God of the Old Covenant’, Service International de Documentation Judéo-Chrétienne Periodical 24: 3-15.
  • Lohfink, Norbert ( 2000) Church Dreams. North Richland Hills, TX: BIBAL Press.
  • Lohfink, N. and Zenger, E. ( 2000) The God of Israel and the Nations. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press.
  • Luke (1965) ‘The Songs of Zion as a Literary Category of the Psalter’, Indian Journal of Theology 14.
  • Lutz, H.-M. ( 1968) Jahwe, Jerusalem und die Völker, Wissenschaftliche Monographien zum Alten und Neuen Testament 27. Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag.
  • Maag, V. ( 1966-7) ‘Das Gottesverständnis des Alten Testaments’, Nederlands Theologish Tijdschrift 21: 252-69.
  • McMann, Duncan ( 1989) Mission in Unity, Latimer Studies 33. Oxford: Latimer House.
  • Maier, C.M. ( 2006) ‘Zion wird man Mutter nennen’, Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 118: 582-96.[CrossRef]
  • Marlowe, W. Creighton (1998) ‘Music of Missions’, Missiology 26: 445-56.
  • Mascarenhas, Theodore ( 2005) Missionary Function of Israel. Lanham, MD: University Press of America.
  • Mathewson, David ( 2003) New Heaven and a New Earth, Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement 238. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press.
  • Matties, Gordon H. (2003) ‘God’s Reign and the Missional Impulse of the Psalms’, in M. H. Schertz and I. Friesen (ed.) Beautiful Upon the Mountains, Studies in Peace and Scripture 7. Elkhart: Institute of Mennonite Studies.
  • Meditations on the Psalms (1919) London: Longmans, Green and Co.
  • Miller, Paula Jean ( 1993) A Church for All Peoples. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical.
  • ‘Missionary by its very nature ... ’ (2000 ) Missionalia 28: 19-20.
  • Müller, Karl ( 1987) Mission Theology, Studia Instituti Missiologici Societatis Verbi Divini 39. Nettetal: Steyler Verlag.
  • Oborji, Francis Anekwe (2006) Concepts of Mission. Maryknoll: Orbis.
  • O’Collins, Gerald ( 2008) Salvation for All. Oxford: University
  • Oesterly, W.O.E. ( 1955) The Psalms. London: SPCK.
  • Okoye, James ( 2006) Israel and the Nations, American Society of Missiology Series 39. Maryknoll: Orbis.
  • Ollenburger, B. ( 1987) Zion the City of the Great King, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement 41. Sheffield: Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Press.
  • Olson, C. Gordon (1989) What in the World is God Doing? Cedar Knolls, NJ: Global Gospel.
  • Otto, Eckart ( 1993) ‘Town and Rural Countryside in Ancient Israelite Law’, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 57: 3-22.
  • Penchansky, D. ( 2005) Twilight of the Gods. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox.
  • Perowne, J.J.S. ( 1878-9/1989) Commentary on the Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Reprints.
  • Poorthuis, M. ( 1996) The Centrality of Jerusalem. Kampen: Kok Pharos Publishing House.
  • Power, J. ( 1971) Mission Theology Today. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.
  • Preston, J.J. ( 1991) ‘Spiritual Magnetism’, in A. Morinis (ed.) Sacred Journeys, Contributions to the Study of Anthropology 7. Westport, CN: Greenwood Press.
  • Preuss, Horst ( 1996) Old Testament Theology. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.
  • Psalms in Israel’s Worship, The (1982) Oxford: Blackwell Press.
  • Reflections on the Psalms (1958) New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company.
  • Robinson, A. ( 1974) ‘Zion and Zaphon in Psalm XLVIII 3’, Vetus Testamentum 24: 118-23.
  • Roche, Felix ( 1999) ‘Our Missionary Responsibility for Today’, in T. Malipuratha (ed.) Mission in Our Day. Pune: Ishvani Kendra.
  • Rudnig, T.A. ( 2007) ‘Ist den Jahwe nicht auf dem Zion?’, Zeitschrift für Theologie und Kirche 104: 267-86.[CrossRef]
  • Sabourin, L. ( 1969) The Psalms. Staten Island, NY: Alba House.
  • Sager, D. ( 2006) Polyphonie des Elends, Forschungen zum Alten Testament 2.21. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.
  • Schaper, J. ( 1994) ‘Psalm 47 und sein Sitz im Leben’, ZAW 106: 262-75.
  • Schreiner, J. ( 1963), Sion-Jerusalem, Jahwes Königssitz, Studien zum Alten und Neuen Testament 7. Munich: Kösel-Verlag.
  • Smith, Mark ( 1988) ‘Structure of Psalm LXXXVII’, Vetus Testamentum 38: 357-8.
  • Steiner, R.C. and Nims, C.F. ( 1985) ‘Ashurbanipal and Shamash-Shum-Ukin’, Revue Biblique 92: 60-81.
  • Stroble, A. ( 1989) ‘Le Conversion des Gentiles dans les Psaumes’, Revue de l’Universite d’Ottowa 20: 5*-46*.
  • ‘The Kingdom of God and the Psalms’ (1993) in R. S. Barbour (ed.) The Kingdom of God and Human Society. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.
  • Vorndran, J. ( 2002) Alle Völker Werden Kommen, Bonner Biblische Beiträge 133. Berlin: Philo Verlagsgesellschaft.
  • Wanke, G. ( 1966) Die Zionstheologie der Korachiten, Beiträge zur Zeitschrift für Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 97. Berlin: Alfred Töpelmann.
  • Westermann, C. ( 1965) The Praise of God in the Psalms. Richmond, VA: John Knox Press.
  • Westermann, C. ( 1981) Praise and Lament in the Psa1ms. Atlanta: John Knox.
  • Wevers, J.W. ( 1977) ‘Psalm 97 and its Sitz im Leben’, Teologinen Aikakauskirja 82: 274-82.
  • Wyatt, N. ( 1996) ‘Le Centre du Monde dans les Littératures d’Ougarit et d’Israël’, Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages 21(2): 123-42.
  • Zeller, Dieter ( 1971) ‘Logion Mt 8,11f/Lk 13,28f und Motiv der Völkerwallfahrt’ , Biblische Zeitschrift 15: 222-37.
  • Zenger, E. ( 1989) ‘Der Gott Abrahams und die Völker: Beobachtungen zu Psalm 47’, in M. Görg (ed.) Väter Israels. Stuttgart: Katholisches Bibelwerk.

Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies, Vol. 26, No. 4, 232-246 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0265378809342351


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati   Add to Twitter Twitter    What's this?



This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Miller, R. D.
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Complore   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati   Add to Twitter  
What's this?