Module 6. Israel S Songbook (Psalms)

Module 6. Israel’s Songbook (Psalms)

1. Introduction

In the Text “Poetry” and the Poetic literature ([Job], Psalms, [Proverbs], [Ecclesiastes], Song of Songs)

Figures of speech

Comparison (simile, metaphor)

Overstatement (hyperbole)

Personification

Imagery

Behind the Text Imagery from nature: geography

Imagery from culture: royalty, ritual, military, hunting, herding, farming

In Front of the Text Describing and worshiping our God

1 2. Structural Features

In the Text

Parallelism

Synonymous:

The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims his handiwork. (Ps. 19:1)

Antithetic:

Hatred stirs up strife; love covers all offences. (Prov. 10:12)

Synthetic:

Better is a little that the righteous have than the abundance of the wicked. (Ps. 37:16)

Chiasm

Praise the Lord (a) With the lyre (b) With the 10-stringed harp (b’) Make melody to him (a’) (Ps 33:2)

Psalm 103

1-5 Exhortation to bless (a) 6-7 Gracious goodness (b) 8 Merciful goodness(c) 9 Sparing goodness (d) 10 Pardoning goodness (e) 11-13 Pardoning goodness (e’) 14-16 Sparing goodness (d’) 17-18 Merciful goodness (c’) 19 Glorious goodness (b’) 20-22 Exhortation to bless (a’)

Acrostic (Ps 119; cmp Lamentations)

Behind the Text Music and instruments

In Front of the Text Form and function

3. Psalm Types and Themes (Pt 1) 2 In the Text

Laments

Address>Complaint>Trust>Deliverance>Assurance>Praise Individual (e.g., 3, 22, 31, 39, 42, 57, 71, 120, 139, 142)

Community (e.g., 12, 44, 80, 94, 137)

Penitential (51)

Imprecatory (137, 139)

Trust (11, 16, 23, 27, 62, 63, 91, 121, 125, 131)

Hymns of praise

For God the Creator (e.g., 8, 19, 104, 148)

For the God of Israel (e.g., 66, 100, 111, 114, 149)

For the Lord of history (e.g., 33, 103, 113, 117, 145-147)

Thanksgiving

Introduction, Distress, Appeal, Deliverance, Testimony

Individual (18, 30, 32, 34, 40, 66, 92, 116, 118, 138; cf. Jonah 2)

Community (65, 67, 75, 107, 124, 136)

Behind the Text Ancient Near Eastern psalms

In Front of the Text Both praise and lament, testimony and trust

Both the individual and the community

4. Psalm Types and Themes (Pt 2)

3 In the Text Types

Historical (78, 105, 106, 135, 136; cf. Exodus 15, Judges 5)

Royal (2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 101, 110, 144)

Enthronement (14, 19, 47, 93, 95-99)

Zion (46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 122)

Wisdom (36, 37, 49, 73, 112, 127, 128, 133)

Torah (1, 19, 119)

Themes

Creation

Covenant

Israel(ites)

David*

*The 5 “books” of the Psalter (1-41; 42-72; 73-89; 90-106; 107-150)

Sacrifice, praise, and worship

Behind the Text Worship and magic in the ancient Near East

In Front of the Text Both creation and covenant

4 5. The Psalms for Today

In Front of the Text A place for honesty

A place for images and figurative language

A place for instruments, music and dance

A place for individual and community

Preparing for Christ