Gud som kung i Psaltaren : Kartläggningar av metaforen GUD ÄR KUNG

The purpose of this essay is to understand the metaphor GOD IS KING through an exegetical, literary analysis and by the insights of cognitive metaphor theory. By isolating the concept of kingship associated with god, through the scope of the Psalter, and taking inventory of what is said about god in these texts, the essay will discover the mappings that lie behind the metaphor GOD IS KING in the psalms. The result shows that the metaphor GOD IS KING contains four submetaphors, which can be described as GOD IS A FATHER, GOD IS A WARRIOR, GOD REIGNS OVER THE COSMOS and GOD IS FAITHFUL AND MERCIFUL. There are differences between God as king and humans as kings, since God’s kingship contains memories from Israel’s history that shows his qualities as transforming the people, conquering the enemies and even transcending life and death. By knowing these informative aspects of god as king, from reading and analyzing Pss 68, 103 and 145, this essay will show that the metaphor GOD IS KING is only appropriate in describing Israel’s god, due to his wondrous works, character and essence. The metaphor GOD IS KING further constitutes a critical instance of the idea of a functioning and flourishing kingdom, as the metaphor shows examples of the need for the king to be sovereign in certain aspects.