Amuletic Inscriptions and the Background of YHWH as Guardian and Protector in Psalm 12

Abstract

The last three verses of Psalm 12 have long posed a variety of problems for interpreters. As a result, a number of studies have argued that certain textual emendations should be made to clarify their meaning. The present study argues that the MT reading should be retained and in fact makes good sense in light of the larger message of the Psalm. In particular, the following contends that the enigmatic phrase blyl in verse 7 should be understood as a reference to the types of Iron Age smelting furnaces, which were partially sunk into the ground. Moreover, the use of the dyad “guard” (šmr) and “protect” (nr) in the following verse is reminiscent of several amulets, which contain these two verbs inscribed on their surfaces. The occurrence of these two verbs on the amulets indicates that they formed a stock protective formula during the Iron Age. As a result, I argue below that the reference to the smelting furnace in verse 7 and the use of the dyad in the following verse allows for a conclusion that the imagery in these verses may have originated from the practice of forming and inscribing metal amulets.

Rereading Psalm 121 in an African (Yoruba) context

“…To the African indigenous churches, Psalm 121 is a psalm for protection and help from the God of creation. This view appears to be in line with the way the Psalm was used in ancient Israel as attested by archaeological discoveries from the first millennium with the verbs ‫שמר‬ [guard] and ‫נצר‬ [protect] inscribed on them (Schmitz, 2002:818-822;Smoak, 2010Smoak, : 421-432, 2011. These verbs as found in ancient documents and Psalms to a large extent are indications of some common cultural and religious practices on the issue of security and help as provided by Yahweh.…”

The task and distinctiveness of African biblical hermeneutic(s)

“…According to some biblical archaeologists there is the existence of a handful of Phoenician and Punic amulets from the first millennium with the same verbs "guard," (smr) and "protect" (nsr) in the book of Psalms inscribed on their surfaces. 35 The presence of these two verbs in both West Semitic inscriptions and the book of Psalms show some common cultural and religious practices and common purpose for invoking the deity's protection or help. 36 Inscribing words in metal and apotropaic magic in ancient Israel is not uncommon as uncovered by archaeologists.…”