The Rhetorics of Suffering in Psalms

Psalms have fascinated many for centuries. They are the prayers of the people of Israel, widely used in Christianity as well. The psalms are not only a source of inspiration but above all the concentrated experience of those, who call themselves Jehovah's worshipers. The concentrated experience of life presents many shocking testimonie about the relationship between man and God, especially if one is experiencing suffering and God becomes the only true source of salvation to a man facing a hopeless situation. The person refers to this source in his speech, and he recites his requests and his calls. This thesis attempts to examine and approach the mechanism of the speech of the Psalmist, who, in his crisis, reverts to the fact that he believes God will free him from this situation. The theologians Walter Brueggeman and Claus Westrmann contributed to the mapping of this mechanism by extraordinary insights, from which the author of this work also draws. In this thesis I describe the phases of complaints and praises, each of which consists of individual steps: addressing, complaining, pleading, motivation, cursing but also assurance of hearing, promise and praise. Keywords Bruggemann, Westrmann, psalm, psalmist, old testament,crisis, suffering, prayer, complaint, plea, motivation, curse, praise, God,..