The Spirit (רוח) in the Book of Psalms

Abstract

This survey of the Spirit’s activity examines all thirty-nine occurrences of the word רוח (‘spirit’) in the book of Psalms. The study of these texts suggests that although the Psalter presents neither an organized pneumatology nor a complete one, the Spirit is described as the agent of God’s life-giving power and as the administrator of God’s moral authority. As the agent of God’s life-giving power, the Holy Spirit creates all life and sustains all life. As administrator of God’s moral authority, the Holy Spirit saves, guides, sanctifies, and enacts judgment.