Interpreting the Psalms : Issues and Approaches

Scholarly study of the Psalms is in the midst of a sea change. A generation ago, the dominant tendency was to study individual psalms in relation to their literary forms and cultural functions. However, in recent years, studies have increasingly emphasized Hebrew poetry, the structure of the entire Psalter, and its development from earlier collections to a unified canonical book. In exploring these and other facets, this volume aims to bridge the gap between general introductions to the study of the Psalms and specialized literature. Written by members and guests of the Tyndale Fellowship Old Testament Study Group, it offers the insights of internationally recognized Old Testament scholars into the world of the Psalms. Read more... The book of Psalms has been precious to countless people in many languages and countries over many centuries. It has expressed their hopes and fears, inspired their faith, and renewed their trust in God. Through the Psalms, the spiritual insight and religious heritage of ancient Israel have had a profound and lasting impact on the human race.The book of Psalms is also of great interest to biblical scholars, and scholarly study of the Psalms is in the midst of a sea change. A generation ago, the dominant tendency was to study individual psalms in relation to their literary forms and cultural functions. However, in recent years, studies have increasingly emphasized Hebrew poetry, the structure of the entire Psalter, and its development from earlier collections to a unified canonical book.In exploring these and other facets, this volume aims to bridge the gap between general introductions to the study of the Psalms and specialized literature. Written by members and guests of the Tyndale Fellowship Old Testament Study Group, it offers the insights of internationally recognized Old Testament scholars into the world of the Psalms.This volume will be a treasure to both students and scholars alike. Part A. Psalms interpretation in context -- The Psalms and current study / David M. Howard, Jr. -- The Psalms and the genre of ancient near eastern prayers / Tremper Longman III -- Part B. The Psalms and key themes -- Distress in the Psalms / Philip Johnston -- The Psalms and praise / James Hely Hutchinson -- The Psalms and the king / Jamie Grant -- The Psalms and the cult / Jerome F.D. Creach -- Symbolism in the Psalms : the cherubim-ark / Craig C. Broyles -- Part C. The Psalms and interpretation issues -- The teaching of the Psalms / David G. Firth -- The ethics of the Psalms / Gordon Wenham -- Body idioms and the Psalms / Andy Warren-Rothlin -- Psalm one and Torah-meditation : an invitation to 'sound out' Torah / Michael LeFebvre -- Part D. The Psalms and interpretative traditions -- The structure of the psalter / Gerald H. Wilson -- Qumran and the Psalms / Dwight D. Swanson -- The Psalms in the Gospels and Acts / Dale A. Brueggemann -- The targum of Psalms / Timothy Edwards. Cover 1 Title page 3 Copyright 4 Contents 5 Contributors 7 Abbreviations 11 Introduction 17 Part A 21 Chapter 1 23 Chapter 2 41 Part B 61 Chapter 3 63 Chapter 4 85 Chapter 5 101 Chapter 6 119 Chapter 7 139 Part C 157 Chapter 8 159 Chapter 9 175 Chapter 10 195 Chapter 11 213 Part D 227 Chapter 12 229 Chapter 13 247 Chapter 14 263 Chapter 15 279 Appendix 1 295 Appendix 2 301 Bibliography 305 Names Index 333 Scripture Index 337 Editors David Firth and Philip Johnston help academic readers understand current approaches and issues in study of the Psalms, while also giving them a deeper appreciation for these poetic texts.