Introduction PART I: Context and Interpretation Chapter One: Introducing Prefatory, Introductory, and Primary Texts 1.1 Prefaces and Paratexts 1.2 Prefatory, Introductory, and Primary Texts 1.3 Prefatory, Introductory, and Primary Texts in Shakespeare's First Folio 1.4 Conclusions Chapter Two: Prefatory, Introductory, and Primary Texts in Comparative Materials 2.1 The Gilgamesh Epic 2.2 The Egyptian Book of the Dead 2.3 Sirach 2.4 Iterative Play: Theoretical and Methodological Considerations 2.5 Conclusions Chapter Three: A Rhizomatic and Preliminary Account of the Formation of the MT Psalter 3.1 A Rhizomatic Approach to the Textual Growth of the MT Psalter 3.2 Summary and Review of Select Proposals for the Formation of the MT Psalter 3.3 A Preliminary Sketch of the MT Psalter's Development 3.4 Conclusions PART II: The Beginning of the MT Psalter Chapter Four: The Literary Function of Ps 3 in the MT Psalter 4.1 Psalm 3 in Translation 4.2 The Sitz im Leben of Psalm 3 4.3 Psalm 3 in the Development of the MT Psalter 4.4 Conclusions Chapter Five: The Literary Function of Ps 2 in the MT Psalter 5.1 Psalm 2 in Translation 5.2 The Sitz im Leben of Ps 2 5.3 Psalm 2 in the Development of the MT Psalter 5.4 Conclusions Chapter Six: The Literary Function of Psalm 1 in the MT Psalter 6.1 Psalm 1 in Translation 6.2 The Sitz im Leben of Ps 1 6.3 Psalm 1 in the Development of the MT Psalter 6.4 Conclusions Chapter Seven: Conclusions