Additional elements of alphabetical thinking in psalm XXXIV

This article develops a suggestion by A. Ceresko (VT 35 [1985], pp. 99-104) and finds that Ps. xxxiv may contain six alphabetizing sequences: 1) an abbreviated alphabetic acrostic with no 1; 2) an overriding array made from the initial letters of the first and middle lines of the acrostic and the last line of the psalm; 3) an initial verse with an array; 4) a twenty-two verse reversed partial alphabetic mezostic; 5) a twenty-one verse reversed telestic; 6) a final verse with an inverted array. Analogy of cuneiform acrostics and tablets decorated with wreaths of wedges suggests that Ps. xxxiv's acrostic and telestic uses of the alphabet and the letter may signify God, to whom the texts are addressed, and/or the author scribe himself.