Exegesis of Psalm 117: character and motivations of praise to God in biblical poetry

Abstract

The literary analysis of Psalm 117, the smallest Hebrew psalter unit, reveals a theological-spiritual content of messianic character with relevance and timeliness to Christianity and Judaism. The study of the hebrew text in its final form – without excluding, however, diachronic character notes – presented in the typical Hebrew poetic form, highlight the praise characteristics. This Psalm proposes a "caring" spiritual relationship in praise to God of Israel; provides explicitly praise’s motivations is based on anaminesis of divine mercy by man, as well as in memory of fidelity to Yahweh promises to Ancient Israel.