Examination of the Similarities Between Psalm 126 and the Prophecy of Zephaniah

Abstract

This study examines comparatively the similarities and interdependency or intertextual links between Psalm 126 and Zephaniah’s prophecy. Attention is paid to their socio-historical contexts, structures, languages, literary features, shared thematic and theological themes. These obvious linguistic and thematic inter-dependencies suggest, among other things, a certain degree of Zephaniah’s or a late redactor’s familiarity with some cultic and prophetic materials, shared and embodied by the composer of Psalm 126. Since this lesser-known Prophet, Zephaniah, shared certain traditions with other biblical poets, both texts, Zephaniah and Psalm 126, should not be read in isolation from the overall context of OT theology, especially of the Psalms and prophetic traditions.