“Like a Lone Bird on a Roof”

Tova L. Forti is Associate Professor in the Department of Bible Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the author of Animal Imagery in the Book of Proverbs.

• PrefaceIntroductionThe Psalms as LiturgyImagery, Metaphor, and SimileSynopsis of Research on Metaphors in the Psalms The Focus of Investigation and MethodologyChapter 1 Faunal Imagery in Psalmodic RefrainsPsalm 49:13, 21: A wisdom motif of human ignorance and the futility of wealth—בהמות ‘beasts’Psalms 59:7, 15; 22:13–14, 17, 21–22; and 118:10–12: Animal imagery as representing the psalmist’s adversary Psalm 59:7, 15: Wild-dog imagery to denote the psalmist’s enemy—כלב ‘dog’Psalm 22:13–14, 17: Bulls, mighty ones of Bashan, lions, dogs, and wild oxen as metonyms for the psalmist’s adversaries—כלב ‘dog,’ פר ‘bull,’ אריה ‘lion’Psalm 118:10–12: Bee imagery as denoting the psalmist’s enemies—דבורה ‘bee’Chapter 2 Faunal Imagery as Secondary InterpolationProverbs 1:10–19Psalm 84:4: Intimacy with God—צפור ‘bird’ and 'sparrow' דרורPsalm 102:7–8: Desolation and isolation—קאת ‘great owl,’ כוס ‘owl,’ and צפור ‘bird’Psalms 33:16–17 and 32:8–9: Wisdom motifs within theological contemplation—סוס ‘horse’ and פרד ‘mule’Psalm 32:8–9 83ConclusionFaunal Imagery in Psalmodic RefrainsFaunal Imagery as Secondary InterpolationBibliographyIndexesIndex of Authors Index of Scripture

“Overall, [Forti] displays commendable consistency in her approach to metaphors. Her work may serve as a useful methodological tool for any future research into metaphors in the Psalms.”—Juan Cruz Journal for the Study of the Old Testament