This article reads Psalm 137 in light of colonial appropriation of land and culture, contextualizing the violence of verses 8 and 9 as a response to exile and as a method of protecting Judean cultural practices. Two modern art pieces serve as points of comparison: Steve McQueen’s film 12 Years a Slave, and Joe David’s totem pole Cedar Man. The article concludes by considering how the violent language of Psalm 137 may guide contemporary ethical reflection.
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This article reads Psalm 137 in light of colonial appropriation of land and culture, contextualizing the violence of verses 8 and 9 as a response to exile and as a method of protecting Judean cultural practices. Two modern art pieces serve as points of comparison: Steve McQueen’s film 12 Years a Slave, and Joe David’s totem pole Cedar Man. The article concludes by considering how the violent language of Psalm 137 may guide contemporary ethical reflection.
All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
---|---|---|---|
Abstract Views | 1396 | 165 | 28 |
Full Text Views | 418 | 8 | 0 |
PDF Views & Downloads | 320 | 19 | 0 |