Praise Psalms & 1Pet 1:3-5

John M. Moe (John.M.Moe-1@tc.umn.edu)
Tue, 23 Sep 1997 10:33:22 +0000

I Posted the following last Saturday but have seen no comments. It may
be that my hurried, unchecked typing turned folks off and they didn't
read it, or it just didn't spark any interest. On the off chance that
it didn't make it to the list I will try again.

I Much appreciated Dale Wheeler's insights about the Praise Psalm and
its structure.

Dale wrote:
1) Call to Praise
2) Reason(s) to Praise
3) Renewed Call to Praise

I have begun a study of 1Peter with my Sunday morning Bible Class,
and am wondering about 1:3-6, in the light of this format and how it
might influence grammatical understanding. The ELOGATOS...etc. seems to
follow the format to a the letter, except that #3 is missing if
AGALLIASQE is understood to be present indicative. The form is, of
course, morphologically ambiguous (Perseus gives 10 analysis of
AGALLIAQE). I am, always wary of looking for imperatives under every
rock, - but, Could this be the "Renewed Call to Praise", an invitation
issued in the imperative mood on the basis of the glorious list of
"Reason(s) to Praise" in verses 3-5, and in spite of the various trials
which they are now suffering?

Thoughts anyone?

JOHN M. MOE