02_VanWieringen_179_197 15/07/14 12:15 Pagina 188 188 A.L.H.M. VAN WIERINGEN IV. The “I”-character becomes “David” in the heading of Psalm 65 The heading of Psalm 65 reads “to the choirmaster, a psalm con- cerning David, a song”. For my analysis, the proper name David is important. Normally, the construction dwdl is interpreted as being an indication of the author: “a psalm (written) by David”. Even though this is not necessarily to be understood in a historical way, it would be, in my view, an inadequate interpretation. The preposi- tional phrase with l can indicate the actor only in the case of a pas- sive verbal form being used, for instance: l. %WrB'l. (Gen 14,17) “blessed by”. The preposition l never marks the subject of an active verbal form. Regarding the semantic field of the preposition l, the interpretation “concerning” is preferable 19. The poem is not David’s, but wishes to tell something concerning David. The proper name in the Psalm’s heading is of theological significance. Due to this heading, the “I”-character receives a proper name. The “I”-character is no longer anonymous; his name is “David”. Many expressions in Psalm 65 allude to David, especially by al- luding to texts in the narrative books of Samuel. The image of the shepherd is evoked in Psalm 65 by the pastures and the steppes for the cattle or sheep. According to 1 Sam 17,28.34-36 and 2 Sam 7,8, this is the location from which the Lord took David to be the leader of his people, to be the good shepherd of the people of God. The word “steppe” is used in 1 Sam 17,28 and in Ps 65,13; the word “cattle” in 1 Sam 17,28.34, 2 Sam 7,8 and in Ps 65,14. The word “grain” in Ps 65,14 and “grazing land” in 2 Sam 7,8 can be considered to be synonyms. Next, the theme of rest given by the Lord is expressed in 1 Sam 7,9-11. The Land will not have to fear any disturbance from all its enemies. In Psalm 65, this image of rest and calm is described in verse 8. The poetic image of the roaring seas is used to describe the dangerously roaring nations. God has silenced them. Lastly, the theme of sin and forgiveness is not unfamiliar in the narratives concerning David. David commits adultery. The prophet Nathan very tactically reprimands David in 2 Sam 12,1-15. As soon as David confesses his sin, Nathan expresses God’s forgiveness. 19 Cf. The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew (ed. D.J.A. CLINES) (Sheffield 1998) 482, 484.