A Rhetorical Analysis of Psalm 133 and its Relevance in Ensuring Peaceful Co-Existence among Family Members in Nigeria

Abstract

Every society desires peaceful coexistence. Peaceful coexistence brings joy, happiness, and development to family members. However, despite the advantages of peaceful coexistence, many families often experience conflict situations. This ranges between spouses, parents and their children, siblings and extended family members. This is against the background that women are mostly affected in domestic violence. The situation is so alarming that spouses decide whether to divorce or not.  Children at times become wayward, and form gangs against their parents. Some Statutory Acts have been enacted to curb or minimize the occurrence of this menace.  Yet all efforts seem to have been counter-productive. This study, therefore, attempts a rhetorical analysis of Psalm 133 to contextualize peaceful coexistence within Nigerian society. Data on the conflicting situations within the home are sourced from some of the daily Newspapers, journals and other relevant materials. The findings revealed that numerous Nigerian families are victims of this conflict situation. The work affirms that men, women and children suffer domestic violence within the Nigerian society. It suggests the teachings in Psalm 133, if applied, can enshrine peaceful coexistence among families within the Nigerian society.