02_VanWieringen_179_197 15/07/14 12:15 Pagina 189 PSALM 65 189 Besides the synonyms xaj / avp for sin and rb[ / rpk for for- giveness, which are used respectively in 2 Sam 12,13 and Ps 65,4, the most striking parallel is the direct connection between confes- sion and forgiveness. However, there are more connections. In the prophetic texts, there is a correlation between peace and harvest related to the proper name David, which can be found in Psalm 65 as well. In Isa 8,23c – 9,6, a new leader is born to the people. In verse 5, the newborn child receives special throne names: “Deviser of won- derfulness, Heroic mighty one, Father of eternity, Ruler of peace”. Although the word $lm “king” cannot be positively used within the prophecy of Isaiah in view of the failure of King Ahaz, the text prevents any misunderstanding that this new son will not live up to the ideal of King David. The last throne name “Ruler of peace” is elaborated in verse 6: “there will be no end to the peace con- nected to the throne of David”. To express this peace, the new birth is described by using the image of the harvest in verse 2: the people rejoice as they do at the jubilation concerning the harvest. In the ancient Near East, harvest failure was caused not only by drought but also by war. When an army marched through the fields, the fields would yield no harvest. Harvest, therefore, means peace 20. This connection between peace and harvest can be found in Psalm 65 as well. After the nations have been silenced (first main unit), a fertile land is described (second main unit), which implies a rich harvest. From the first harvest (barley) to the last harvest (wheat), the fruits of the land are guaranteed. In Jer 23,5, this image of harvest and the new David is intensi- fied 21. The new David himself is represented as a sprout. This word “sprout” connects Ps 65,11 and Jer 23,5. 20 Cf. SCHROER, “Psalm 65”, 286, who discusses the common agricultural words in Psalm 65 and Isaiah 55, although without mentioning the proper name dwd in Isa 55,3. 21 For the meaning of “new”, see A.L.H.M. VAN WIERINGEN, “The Theo- logoumenon ‘New’: Bridging the Old and the New Testament”, The Scriptures of Israel in Jewish and Christian Tradition (eds. S. MOYISE – J. VERHEYDEN – B.J. KOET) (NTS 148; Leiden 2013) 285-301.