LINGUISTIC CAPITAL AND PERSONAL FULFILMENT: A PRAGMA-CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF PSALM 23

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamic interplay between linguistic capital and personal fulfilment within the context of Psalm 23, adopting a pragma-critical perspective on the intersection of linguistics, theology, and sociology. The study is anchored in the recognition that sacred texts function not only as cultural repositories but also as pragmatic instruments for shaping identity, imparting value, and catalysing spiritual and communal transformation. Scholars in Biblical studies have historically focused on literary or doctrinal aspects of the Psalms, with fewer inquiries into the pragmatic, performative, and identity-constructive capacities encoded in sacred language. The theoretical framework thus integrates pragma-criticism, which scrutinises how language use in Psalm 23 functionally enacts comfort, assurance, and ethical orientation. The study employs a pragma-critical approach, combining textual exegesis with linguistic tools to examine the syntactic, metaphoric, and rhetorical features of Psalm 23. The findings reveal that the linguistic strategies employed in Psalm 23, including metaphor, direct address, and ethical affirmation, serve as repositories of linguistic capital, empowering individuals and communities to negotiate their identity, foster resilience, and experience fulfilment. The Psalm’s recurrent use in liturgical and therapeutic settings further testifies to its pragmatic efficacy. The study recommends that clergy, educators, and translators approach sacred texts with heightened awareness of their linguistic and pragmatic functionalities, emphasising not only semantic but also performative and communal aspects. In conclusion, this work examines the profound capacity of Psalm 23 to foster personal and collective thriving through its embedded linguistic capital, advocating for continued interdisciplinary research into the nuanced intersections of language, faith, and human flourishing.