21-When You Call Out My Name, You Know That Wherever I Am, I’ll Come Running

Structure & Story of Book V - Opening Mizmor 107 - Structure & Context & Intertext

How can contextual interpretation be used to help our understanding of Mizmor 107, its opening of Book V and its recitation on Yom HaAtzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim?

Book V details the vision and the program for the revival of the Jewish people in Israel in various steps which will deepen the connection to the land, Jewish history and the people. Jews of the Diaspora and all nations will eventually be part of this process under King David’s leadership. Three Hallel units appear in Book V (113-118, 135-136; 145-150) with similar but different messages; they provide the structure of the narrative of Book V.

Mizmor 107 is the ideal opening for this process, as we shall see from analysis of its text, context and intertext. Therefore, it was chosen to be recited also on Yom HaAtzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim.

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