“Overturning laments : an assessment of the so-called prophetic perfect formulations in the Psalms”

Abstract

The addendum of praise, or a promise of praise, often found at the end of lament or supplication psalms has been the object of contention among scholars who have focused on the possible reasons for a movement from lament to praise. Usually seen as a sudden change in mood, it has been referred to as a Stimmungsumschwung, even though some have criticized this term. Insofar as the wording refers to some future liberation, the texts in question are comprehensible. However, when the salvation asked for is expressed in the past tense as though already attained as so-called prophetic Perfects, the matter gets complicated. From a form critical perspective, formulations of positive outcomes reported at the end of laments beg the question: what import does such a formulation have on the particular psalm in which it appears? [excerpt]