Der Rahmen von Ps 45 (V. 1–2; 17–18).

The article "The Structure of Ps 45 (V. 1-2; 17-18)" by Hans-Peter Mathys examines the structure of Psalm 45. The psalm is about a radiant king and his court, heavily influenced by Phoenician culture. The article focuses particularly on verse 2, in which a bard reflects on his state of mind and his actions. It also addresses the complicated heading of the psalm, which consists of five elements. The psalm belongs to the collection of the Korahites, a Levite family associated with psalm singing. The meaning of some elements of the heading remains unclear. Psalm 45 differs from other psalms with its heading "שִׁיר ידְִידתֹ". This psalm is not a cultic song, but a love song referring to the king and his wife. There are indications that the psalm is connected to the Song of Songs, as both deal with the theme of love. The use of the term "שִׁיר ידְִידתֹ" suggests that the king and his wife are considered a loving couple. The psalm also has Phoenician influences. Ancient Greek literature contains much information about court poets who had various tasks and enjoyed different levels of influence and prestige. They praised their hosts and also gave advice and admonitions. In the Old Testament, there are only a few texts that can be attributed to court poets, such as the Song of Songs and Deborah's victory song. These works may have been forgotten or rejected as the Old Testament increasingly transformed into a religious work. Psalm 45 is a special genre that may originate from Greek and creates a new genre term. The author of the psalm shows strong self-confidence and claims that his poem meets the same quality standards as those of Greek poets. This text is about self-reflection in ancient Oriental literature and other periods. It is pointed out that in Ps 45, a poet reflects on his role and task. The poet is excited before his appearance before the king and wants to deliver a beautiful speech. It is also mentioned that the poet's tongue is compared to a skilled stylus. The text deals with different individuals and their self-confidence in various texts such as the Ahiqar romance, the Book of Ezra, and Psalm 45. It is mentioned that Ahiqar is a member of the scribal elite and Ezra is an important man who masters the Torah. It also discusses the descendants of the king and their role in the royal house. The text concludes with the significance of the king's name and how it is passed down from generation to generation. The text focuses on Psalm 45 and particularly analyzes verse 18. It is noted that this verse, when considered in isolation, could be related to God. It also refers to other passages in the Psalter where God is associated with similar terms. The text raises the question of who is meant by "they" in verse 18 and discusses various possible interpretations. It also points to possible historical references of the psalm to Achaemenid and Seleucid imperial conceptions. The text emphasizes that the glory of the king in Psalm 45 extends beyond the nations and does not stop at the borders of his kingdom. It also discusses various attitudes of Israel towards foreigners. [Extracted from the article]