The Collection of Psalms 3-14

That Pss 3-14 forms a compositional unit is suggested first of all by the titles of these psalms. Pss 1-2 are differentiated from the following psalms due to their lack of a title, indicating that they function as an introduction and that the first psalm in the first Davidic Psalter (Pss 3-41) is Ps 3. The inclusio consisting of Ps 3 and Ps 14 indicates that a minor caesura should be placed after the latter.

In addition to the titles we also consider the literary genres: Pss 3-7 are laments, Psalm 8 is a hymn, and Pss 10-14 are laments. Ps 9 is a psalm of thanksgiving which concludes the series of Pss 3-7 + 8. On the other hand, its final section (Ps 9,18-21) introduces the laments that follow.

This structure is confirmed by the alternation between psalms of the day and psalms of the night according to the program of Ps 1,2 (“In his law he meditates day and night”).

The temple plays an important role in this structure: while Pss 3-7 can be considered a movement of ascent towards the temple, and Ps 9 presents Yhwh on his royal throne, Pss 10-14 present an opposite movement: from the temple towards the faithful.

The two series of laments are arranged so that the consideration of individual suffering in Pss 3-7 is opened up to a communitarian dimension in Pss 10–14.