Fear, Trembling, and Wonder: Psalms of Awe
June 1, 2025 Solomon Aleph
This thesis proposes a new category for interpreting the Book of Psalms: 'Psalms of Awe.' Building on existing form criticism, it argues that awe is a distinct religious experience not fully captured by current categories. The author contends that awe in the Psalms is expressed through the combination of three Hebrew roots: ירא (fear/reverence), פחד (fear/dread), and פלא (wonder). By analyzing several psalms, the thesis shows how each term captures a different dimension of awe. Framing awe as a definable religious experience within the Psalms' historical and literary context, the work offers a new interpretive lens for reading them.