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Looking at the first part of Book Three, it seems that the editors carefully combined the end of the so-called ‘Davidic Psalter’ (Psalms 51–72) in Book Two with the beginning of Book Three. Psalm 72 (Book Two) reflects positively on the importance of justice whilst 73 (Book Three) considers the consequences of injustice in the world. Both 73:3 and 72:3 contrast the ‘prosperity’ (shalom) of the faithful people and the wicked; and 73:6, 72:14, 73:8 and 72:4 speak of the effects of ‘violence’ (ḥamas) and ‘oppression’ (‘osheq) on the poor.

The entire *Asaphite collection (Psalms 73–83), set in the heart of the entire Psalter, is possibly the oldest part of it. As we have noted, it has many references to the northern kingdom (and so some of it must precede 721–22 BCE when the kingdom fell), and its nationalistic and militarist focus, reminiscent of the prophetic voice in this period, suggests some psalms were composed before the exile. It is a coherent collection, set in two parts (73–77, 78–83) to which Psalm 50 also belongs: as noted in Volume Two, the Second Davidic Psalter (51–72) is enclosed by Asaphite psalms (50, 73–83).⁶