Papers by Matthew Swale
JETS, 2023
This essay applies a new inner-biblical allusion methodology that employs two common identificati... more This essay applies a new inner-biblical allusion methodology that employs two common identification criteria (lexical and contextual analysis) and adds a third (rhetorical analysis). The rhetorical sense-making of a proposed allusion serves to support and verify the findings of the first two criteria. The methodology analyzes a (seemingly) unidentified allusion in Psalm 115:4 to Hosea 8:4. The applied methodology demonstrates that the psalmist polemicizes the false security of the nations (i.e., idols) with words that once indicted Israel's own false security in the context of Hosea 8-10. Since the psalmist thrice exhorts worshipers to place security in YHWH (vv. 9-11), the psalm deepens the rhetorical force of the exhortations by hinting at Israel's tragic history of placing security elsewhere. A satirical use of Israel's past indictment employs past covenantal imbalance to foster the praise necessary for ongoing covenantal balance in the present and future.
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Themelios, 2019
Exegesis, prayer, and spiritual formation converge in the Psalms commentary written by Cassiodoru... more Exegesis, prayer, and spiritual formation converge in the Psalms commentary written by Cassiodorus (490-584). Each psalms exegesis ends with a "conclusion" considering the implications for morality, doctrine, or prayer. This study focuses on how Cassiodorus's exegesis of the Psalms provides power for prayer. First, Cassiodorus s rich expositions of the Psalms of Ascent and Psalm 142 illustrate his approach to the Psalter as Gods provision of superior, life-changing words. Second, prayer flows from Cassiodoruss handling of individual psalms in four ways: prayerful exegesis, prayer exemplars, prayer templates, and prayer as the means to psalmic formation.
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Bibliotheca Sacra, 2019
A chiastic reading of Psalm 106 reveals its import for Israel and the present day. In addition, t... more A chiastic reading of Psalm 106 reveals its import for Israel and the present day. In addition, the psalms allusions to the period of the judges help the reader consider the psalm s current relevance. The interrelations between Psalms 106 and 107 suggest that Gods people should liturgically rehearse adverse cultural history as penitential intercession-penitence for analogous or related sin and intercession to excise the residual cultural implications. The current need for racial reconciliation within the evangelical church should be seen as an opportunity for the kind of peniten tial intercession urged by Psalm 106.
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Journal of Theological Interpretation, 2021
Luther's first Psalms lectures frequently cite the early medieval commentator, Cassiodorus. At th... more Luther's first Psalms lectures frequently cite the early medieval commentator, Cassiodorus. At the outset of his second Psalms lectures, Luther distances himself from Cassiodorus's exegetical approach due to the nonliteral nature of his exegesis. Nevertheless, comparisons of selected Psalms writings by the two men demonstrate an ongoing, deep-seated similarity: Luther maintains with Cassiodorus a reading of Psalms which is thoroughly formational, urging that Psalms exegesis necessarily culminate in prayer. I will suggest that features ingredient to the Psalter, not foreign thereto, motivate this exegetical impulse for both interpreters. Finally, the study will conclude by briefly proposing implications for contemporary theological interpretation of the Psalter.
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Conference Presentations by Matthew Swale
ETS Annual Conference , 2022
This paper presents an application of a composite inner-biblical allusion methodology. The method... more This paper presents an application of a composite inner-biblical allusion methodology. The methodology employs two common identification criteria (lexical and contextual analysis) and employs a third (rhetorical analysis). The rhetorical sense-making of a proposed allusion serves to support and verify the findings of the first two criteria. The methodology analyzes a heretofore (seemingly) unidentified allusion in Psalm 115:4 to Hosea 8:4. After reviewing the lexical and contextual case for the proposed allusion, rhetorical analysis demonstrates that the psalmist polemicizes the false security of the nations (i.e., idols) with words that once indicted their own false security in the context of Hosea 8. Since the psalmist thrice exhorts worshipers to place security in YHWH (vv. 9–11), the psalm deepens the rhetorical force of the exhortations by hinting at Israel’s tragic history of placing security elsewhere (i.e., having paid dearly for misplaced confidence in the past, take care where confidence is placed now).
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ETS Annual Meeting, 2021
This paper offers a highly abbreviated version of a chapter in my dissertation. It begins by prop... more This paper offers a highly abbreviated version of a chapter in my dissertation. It begins by proposing a composite inner-biblical allusion identification and analysis methodology that combines staples in the field with a form of rhetorical criticism. The goal is to vet the rhetorical punch of a proposed allusion for both confirming the presence of the allusion and understanding its import in the alluding text. Then the paper applies the methodology to Psalm 68, arguing that sustained allusions to Judges 5 invite readers to see themselves in comparative terms with Deborah and Barak's generation: recipients of undeserved intervention from God in spite of tenuous covenant fidelity.
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Dissertation by Matthew Swale
Dissertation, 2021
This study addresses two underdeveloped areas in OT scholarship: the use of Judges in Psalms and ... more This study addresses two underdeveloped areas in OT scholarship: the use of Judges in Psalms and the use of rhetorical criticism in the analysis of inner-biblical allusion. The proposed inner-biblical allusion methodology employs two standard factors—lexical and contextual affinities—and adds specific rhetorical-analytical steps to analyzing allusions to Judges in Psalms. The study then applies the proposed methodology to the use of Judges 5 in Psalm 68, Judges 4–8 in Psalm 83, and Judges 2, 6–8 in Psalm 106 and notes overlap in the rhetorical goals of each of the three psalms.
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Book Reviews by Matthew Swale
Books at a Glance, 2022
https://www.booksataglance.com/book-reviews/psalms-by-james-m-hamilton-jr/
This long-awaited com... more https://www.booksataglance.com/book-reviews/psalms-by-james-m-hamilton-jr/
This long-awaited commentary does not disappoint. James Hamilton’s passion for Christ, dedication to the biblical text, and grand vision for whole-Bible theology coalesce to offer a treatment of the Psalms that is as substantive as it is bold and pioneering. He preached, taught, and prayed the Psalms concurrently with the writing of this commentary—and it shows (vol. 1, pp. xxix-xxx, 2). Those looking for exegetical minutia, genre classification, or traditional application may benefit from pairing this commentary in their sermon preparation or research with a more traditional (e.g., VanGemeren), technical, (e.g., Ross), or applicational commentary (e.g., Wilson). But where traditional, technical, or applicational commentaries are weak, this commentary is strong: theological connectivity that will strengthen Christian interaction with the Psalms immensely.
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Books by Matthew Swale
Gorgias Press, 2024
This study addresses two underdeveloped areas in Old Testament scholarship: the use of Judges in ... more This study addresses two underdeveloped areas in Old Testament scholarship: the use of Judges in Psalms and the use of rhetorical criticism in the analysis of inner-biblical allusion. The proposed inner-biblical allusion methodology employs two standard factors--lexical and contextual affinities--and adds specific rhetorical-analytical steps to analysing allusions to Judges in Psalms. The study then applies the proposed methodology to the use of Judges 5 in Psalm 68, Judges 4-8 in Psalm 83, and Judges 2, 6-8 in Psalm 106 and notes overlap in the rhetorical goals of each of the three psalms.
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Papers by Matthew Swale
Conference Presentations by Matthew Swale
Dissertation by Matthew Swale
Book Reviews by Matthew Swale
This long-awaited commentary does not disappoint. James Hamilton’s passion for Christ, dedication to the biblical text, and grand vision for whole-Bible theology coalesce to offer a treatment of the Psalms that is as substantive as it is bold and pioneering. He preached, taught, and prayed the Psalms concurrently with the writing of this commentary—and it shows (vol. 1, pp. xxix-xxx, 2). Those looking for exegetical minutia, genre classification, or traditional application may benefit from pairing this commentary in their sermon preparation or research with a more traditional (e.g., VanGemeren), technical, (e.g., Ross), or applicational commentary (e.g., Wilson). But where traditional, technical, or applicational commentaries are weak, this commentary is strong: theological connectivity that will strengthen Christian interaction with the Psalms immensely.
Books by Matthew Swale
This long-awaited commentary does not disappoint. James Hamilton’s passion for Christ, dedication to the biblical text, and grand vision for whole-Bible theology coalesce to offer a treatment of the Psalms that is as substantive as it is bold and pioneering. He preached, taught, and prayed the Psalms concurrently with the writing of this commentary—and it shows (vol. 1, pp. xxix-xxx, 2). Those looking for exegetical minutia, genre classification, or traditional application may benefit from pairing this commentary in their sermon preparation or research with a more traditional (e.g., VanGemeren), technical, (e.g., Ross), or applicational commentary (e.g., Wilson). But where traditional, technical, or applicational commentaries are weak, this commentary is strong: theological connectivity that will strengthen Christian interaction with the Psalms immensely.