From Recollection to Recommitment: The Rhetorical Function of Allusions to Judges in Psalms 68, 83, and 106

This study addresses two underdeveloped areas in Old Testament scholarship: the use of Judges in Psalms and the use of rhetorical criticism in the analysis of inner-biblical allusion. The proposed inner-biblical allusion methodology employs two standard factors-lexical and contextual affinities-and adds specific rhetorical-analytical steps to analyzing allusions to Judges in Psalms. The study then applies the proposed methodology to the use of Judges 5 in Psalm 68, Judges 4-8 in Psalm 83, and Judges 2, 6-8 in Psalm 106 and notes overlap in the rhetorical goals of each of the three psalms. -- ＂Matthew Swale’s volume makes a strong contribution to the growing field of Old Testament inner-biblical exegesis. Swale provides a clear, thorough methodology and offers a compelling case for the use of Judges in Psalms. His work on Psalm 68, long known as a difficult text, is especially useful. I recommend it highly for scholars and their graduate students.＂ Paul House, Emeritus Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School of Samford University -- ＂With clear methodology and cautious exegesis, Swale convincingly shows how the psalmists used Judges to motivate YHWH and his people to covenant recommitment. This first-rate rhetorical-theological assessment of Scripture’s interconnections models how carefully and faithfully to evaluate inner-biblical allusions while keeping in mind Christian Scripture’s complete canonical context.＂ Jason S. DeRouchie, Research Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology and Rich and Judy Hasting Endowed Chair of Old Testament Studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.