Proverbs-I,8-19,20-33 as "introduction" (New insights into the compositional features, vocabulary, and theological perspectives of the 'Book of Psalms' as links to sacred Wisdom literature)

Recent studies in the Book of Psalms have led to new insights into the comp ositional features of the Psalter, one of which is the introductory role pl ayed by Psalms 1 and 2. In this article, I argue that the editorial arrange ment and content of the first parental instruction in Proverbs 1:8-19, and Wisdom's first discourse in Proverbs 1:20-33, exhibit literary features, vo cabulary, theological point of view, compositional style, and editorial cha racteristics found in Psalms 1 and 2. As these two Psalms serve as the "int roduction" to the Psalter so Proverbs 1:8-19 and 1:20-33 serve the same pur pose, albeit for the Book of Proverbs. In combination the opening two disco urse units do more than introduce the content of the Book of Proverbs; they also link the Book of Proverbs to the stream of sacred traditions later kn own to us a Torah, Prophets, and Writings.