Global Journal of Human-Social Science, A: Arts and Humanities, Volume 22 Issue 11

Hermeneutical Study of Psalm 23: 6 in the Light of Insecurity in Nigeria Peter Olanrewaju Awojobi Abstract - In recent times, some Christian faithful in nearly all Church traditions in Africa especially Nigeria have always close worship services or an y Christian event in ch urches or homes with the recitation of Psalm 23: 6 as against the long standing tradition of closing these with Benediction or Grace. Attempt is made in this study to investigate the reasons for this change. In this Study, Psalm 23:6 is interpreted in the light of Security which is fundamental to the survival of the African people. The study adopted the African Biblical Hermeneutics which provides a useful lens to reread biblical text in African Context so that the Bible can be relevant in African situations and times. It was discovered that the book of Psalms was very popular and used by ancient Israel and by the early Christians. Portions of Psalms were written on parchment, clothes, houses, and any other things that are associated with them. They recited, sung and prayed from the Psalms. In the same way, some churches in Nigeria held that the contents of the Psalms are divinely potent and as such they recite, sing and pray from the Psalms especially in difficult times. Psalm 23: 6 can be used to invoke security and success on those who desire them in the same way as words of incantation (ogede) are used among the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria. It is the view of the African Christians that whenever, Psalm 23: 6 is recited by a Christian, instead of enemies (ota) following the individual, it is goodness and mercy shall follow the person all the days of his life. Since there are evils (ibi) accompany every day of the week this Psalm serves as immunity against all evils. The Christian is confident that his security is guaranteed and as such he is not afraid because God will watch over him at all times. Therefore, Biblical scholars and interpreters must ensure that the Bible and its contents are correctly contextualized to bring real-life interest that are of great concern to the Africans into the text for a better interpretation and understanding of the text under consideration. Keywords: christian faithful, recitation of psalm 23: 6, security, africa yoruba, interpretation and Nigeria. I. I ntroduction he book of Psalms is widely read and cited among Christians in Africa especially in African Indigenous Churches in Nigeria. This is based on the view that the book is more potent than all other books of the Bible. Psalms are like the trends in modern speech act theory which maintains that words are potent and effective (Nasuti, 2001: 144). The book of Psalms is the best and most cited book in the Old Testament especially by the African Indigenous churches because of the believe that its contents are most potent and effective words in the Bible. Most times, the African Indigenous churches draw their prayer items, sermon topics and songs from the contents of the Psalter (Awojobi, 2021: 9). Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar Psalms in the Bible (Crenshaw, 1993: 127-135). This Psalm the most loved book of the Psalms. Basically there are two ways of reading this Psalm: as a Shepherd to a Sheep and as God to a human. Africans would prefer that the Psalm be read as God to a human for the purposes of protection, provision, healing and success in all aspect of life which are the fundamental concerns of the African people (Adamo, 2018: 9). Psalm 23 is one of the classical Old Testament passages depicting Yahweh as Shepherd. The words and imagery of this Psalm will certainly accompany the faithful reader ‘all the days of his life’. In this Psalm we encounter an individual who confesses trust in the good Shepherd who will provide in all circumstances. Psalm 23 stands out as the most familiar book in the Old Testament (Botha, 2015: 283- 300; Kennedy, 1984: 14-21; Merrill, 1965: 354-360; Morgenstern, 1946: 13-24). Most Christians love Psalm 23 and as such it is referred to as ‘American icon’ (Holladay, 1993: 359) and ‘nightingale of the Psalms’ (Segal, 2013: 103) by some biblical scholars. This Psalm is believed to have filled the whole world with ‘melodious joy’ (Segal, 2013:103). Western scholars in biblical studies have given different theme and titles to Psalm 23. As far as May is concerned the theme of this Psalm is ‘the Lord Is My Shepherd’ (1994:14). To Segal, it is ‘With Me’ (2013: 103), while Kraus sees it as ‘Security in the Goodness and Mercy of Yahweh’ (1988: 302-305). According to Schaefer (2001: 58), the theme that better describe the Psalm is ‘You are with me’. Bullock sees it as ‘The LORD Is My Shepherd I lack nothing’ (2015: 166). Waltke and Houston calls it ‘The Good shepherd’ (2010:416) but to Watts it is ‘Psalm of Trust, Thanksgiving and Praise’ (1984395-406). To my mind all the above interpretations are good and appropriate as theme of Psalm 23 in the light of its contents and the context of the writer at the time of the composition of the Psalm. However, this study will focus on Kraus theme for Psalm 23 as ‘Security in the Goodness and Mercy of Yahweh’. This agrees with Psalm 23: 6 in the African (Yoruba) context. African (Yoruba) approach to the interpretation of Psalm 23:6 as way of understanding the mind of some Yoruba Christians of Nigeria whenever they read or recite Psalm 23:6. They recite it every day before leaving their homes T © 2022 Global Journals Volume XXII Issue XI Version I 37 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2022 A Author: Ph.D, Department of Religions, History & Heritage Studies, Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria. e-mails: paawojobi@yahoo.com , peterawojobi@gmail.com