The Assyrian and Hebrew Hymns of Praise

by Charles Gordon Cumming

but instead of the call to praise there is substituted an affirmation of faith:

For we know that Yahwe is great,

And our Lord above all gods.

Verses 6-12 proceed in normal course reciting the greatness of Yahwe in creation and in history, but verse 13 contains its surprise, for the third person is exchanged for the second and Yahwe is directly addressed:

Thy name, O Yahwe, endureth for ever,

Thy remembrance, O Yahwe, to all generations.

The second person is the natural usage of prayer, and the subject of verse 14 would have been appropriate for petition:

For Yahwe will deliver his people,

And he will show mercy to his servants.

Possibly this very fact accounts for the use of the second person in verse 13. The thought of rescue naturally suggests the idea of the idol worship of the oppressors (verses 15-18), and the contrast between the impotent idols and Yahwe lends enthusiasm to the mighty concluding call to praise (verses 19-21).