Leaven

Volume 7 Issue 3 I Lift Up My Soul Article 10

1-1-1999

I Lift Up My Soul: A Resource Guide for Studying and Appropriating the Psalms

Paul Watson

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Recommended Citation Watson, Paul (1999) "I Lift Up My Soul: A Resource Guide for Studying and Appropriating the Psalms," Leaven: Vol. 7 : Iss. 3 , Article 10. Available at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol7/iss3/10

This Resource Guide is brought to you for free and open access by the Religion at Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Leaven by an authorized editor of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. Watson: I Lift Up My Soul: A Resource Guide for Studying and Appropriatin

160 Leaven, Summer, 1999

ILift Up My Soul: A Resource Guide for Studying and Appropriating the Psal

By Paul Watson

We are experiencing among our not to suggest that oldel"'tesources the new Interpretation Biblical people a renewed and increased are not also valuable); and third, Studies series. Intended for use in interest in the psalms, which is most that they be readable and accessible congregational Bible classes, this is encouraging. We are turning to the to any serious student of the psalms. a ten-unit study guide. The first two psalms in many different settings-- I hope that you will find these units provide a general overview of in classes and small groups, in the resources as helpful and insightful the psalms; the remaining eight pulpit, in private devotional mo- as I have. units treat briefly eight representa- ments, in corporate worship. In the tive psalms. A fourth and final type process we are beginning to under- Introduction to the Psalms of general resource material is a stand the crucial role of the psalms Where to start? That is always a comprehensive introduction to the in our communication with God. good question-and often a difficult entire Old Testament (which should The psalms teach us to listen-and one-whether in regard to studying be in every student's personal to respond-to God with both mind the book of Psalms or any other library). Here, my clear choice and heart. Our rediscovery of the biblical book or topic. One place to would be Bernhard W. Anderson, psalms is leading us toward richer, start is with a Bible dictionary or "The Praises of Israel," in Under- deeper communion with the God encyclopedia. For the Psalter there standing the Old Testament, 4th ed. who created us for relationship with are a number of good possibili- (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice him. ties-Harpers Bible Dictionary, Hall, 1986),540-67. Anderson is Fortunately, we have at our The Interpreters Dictionary of the that rare Old Testament scholar who disposal many excellent resources Bible-but my preference is James is equally adept at reading Hebrew to aid us in our appropriation of the Limburg,"Psalms, Book of," in The and writing English. Get to know psalms. The resources suggested in Anchor Bible Dictionary (New his work if you are not already this article are, of course, but a few York: Doubleday, 1992), 5:522-36. familiar with it. of the many available. I have tried The introduction section of any to use three criteria in selecting good commentary, such as the three The Forms and Functions of these particular ones: first, that they discussed below, is a similar the Psalms be solid, responsible efforts to hear possibility. A different type of In reading and listening to the and faithfully reflect the biblical resource for introductory matters is psalms, it is extremely important to text; second, that they be recent Jerome F. D. Creach's Psalms remember that they are poetry. The works currently available (which is (Louisville: Geneva Press, 1998) in psalms do not rhyme-rhyme is not

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a characteristic of Hebrew poetry- Basic, 1985; Edinburgh: Clark, Psalms 51-100, WBC 20 (Waco: but they do have a fluid sort of 1990). Word, 1990); and Leslie C. Allen, rhythm. Most notable is their Psalms 101-150, WBC 21 (Waco: structural balance, which arises Commentaries on the Psalms Word, 1983). In this collaborative from their constituent units of two There is a rich tradition of effort that runs to a combined total (or sometimes three) parallel exposition of the Psalter. The of more than thirteen hundred phrases: "Therefore the wicked will respective commentaries of Luther pages, each psalm is treated accord- not stand in the judgment, nor and Calvin, for example, are among ing to a standard format: a bibliog- sinners in the assembly of the those authors' finest works. Of the raphy of articles on the psalm, a righteous" (Ps 1:5 NIV). By learn- current commentaries readily translation of the psalm with ing something about Hebrew available, I would single out three extensive notes, a section on the poetry, and by observing the for special attention. The first is "form/structure/setting" of the relatively few categories of form James L. Mays, Psalms, Interpreta- psalm, explanatory comments, and and function into which the psalm- tion (Louisville: Westminster/John a final "exposition" section with poems fall, great insight can be Knox, 1994). In keeping with the expanded theological observations gained into the messages that the general purpose of the Interpreta- that include other Old Testament psalmists intended to convey. tion series, Mays' work "will not and New Testament references. For The best resource here- replace the historical critical exegetical details such as textual indeed, the first book that I regu- commentary or homiletical aids to variants, word meanings, and larly recommend when asked about preaching"; instead, his purpose is historical notes, these three volumes "one good book on the psalms"-is "both to deal with what the texts are, in my opinion, the best research also by Bernhard W. Anderson: Out say and to discern their meaning for tool currently available to us in of the Depths: The Psalms Speak faith and life" (vii). To take only English. for Us Today, rev. and expo ed. one example of Mays' interpretive The third commentary that I (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1983). skills at work, here are his com- would suggest is J.Clinton McCann As Anderson explains in his pref- ments on the first line of Psalm 25, Jr., "The Book of Psalms," in The ace, "This study finds a way "To you, 0 LoRD,I lift up my soul": New Interpreter's Bible, vol. 4 through the 150 psalms of the (Nashville: Abingdon, 1996), 639- Psalter by means of the so-called In Israel, lifting up one's hands 1280. McCann's work presents each form-critical method, that is, the in a stretched-out position was psalm in two translations (NIV and study of psalms according to genres a gesture of entreaty used in NRSV), followed by a "comments" that can be classified on the basis of prayer. To lift up the soul to section that is basically exegetical their literary form and setting in God is a metaphor for what the and a "reflections" section that is worship" (10). Along the same gesture means. The metaphor more expository and applicational. lines, but with slightly different portrays prayer as an act in Especially helpful are McCann's categories and types, are two very which individuals hold their introductory comments on literary helpful works by Claus conscious identity, their life, in features of the psalms (form and Westermann: The Psalms: Struc- hands stretched out to God as a rhetorical criticism) and on "the ture, Content and Message (Minne- way of saying that their life shape and shaping of the Psalter"- apolis: Augsburg, 1980) and Praise depends completely and only how the psalms came to be col- and Lament in the Psalms (Atlanta: on the help of God. (124) lected and organized as they are, as John Knox, 1981). For those who well as the significance of such wish to explore the structures and A second commentary that is of "shaping." functions of the psalms at a more the more traditional historical- advanced level, I recommend two critical type is the three-volume Interpreting the Psalms books: Susan E. Gillingham, The Word Biblical Commentary, with In this varied group of re- Poems and Psalms of the Hebrew each volume contributed by a sources I include those works that Bible (Oxford: Oxford University different author: Peter C. Craigie, are more interpretive than exegeti- Press, 1994) and Robert Alter, The Psalms 1-50, WBC 19 (Waco: cal (although some include rather Art of Biblical Poetry (New York: Word, 1983); Marvin E. Tate, detailed expositions of specific

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psalms). Two excellent theological The Psalms and the Life of Faith me. I thought of it in terms of interpretations of the psalms-by (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995), a compliment, approval, or the two of the commentators recom- collection of fourteen articles on the giving of honour. I had never mended above--deserve careful psalms that was edited by Patrick noticed that all enjoyment attention. In The LORDReigns: A D. Miller Jr., Brueggemann's spontaneously overflows into Theological Handbook to the brother-in-law. My favorite article praise .... Psalms (Louisville: Westminster/ is "Bounded by Obedience and ... I had not noticed either that John Knox, 1994), James Mays Praise: The Psalms as Canon" just as men spontaneously finds the theological "center" of the (189-213), in which Brueggemann praise whatever they value, so psalms to be the exclusive, cosmic demonstrates how the "movement" they spontaneously urge us to lordship of God, as expressed in the of the Psalter-from confident, join them in praising it: "Isn't frequent exclamation "The LORD uncomplicated obedience (Psalm 1) she lovely? Wasn't it glorious? reigns!" (or "Yahweh is king!"). through candid lament (Psalm 25), Don't you think that magnifi- Mays says, "The psalms have reperceptive communion (Psalm cent?" The Psalmists in telling provided [Jews and Christians] a 73), and gratitude (Psalm 103) to everyone to praise God are common and traditional language self-abandoning praise (Psalm doing what all men do when world, the language that speaks of 150}-mirrors the life of faith. they speak of what they care the world as envisaged by faith. It is Brueggemann is a must read-not about. (93-95) the language of those who believe only for the psalms but for the rest in and venture to live in the ever- of the Old Testament as well. If you The fourth interpretive study, quite lasting, present, and coming reign haven't yet discovered his work, unlike any of the others, is William of the LORD"(x). In the other these titles are a great place to start. L. Holladay, The Psalms through volume, A Theological Introduction I mention briefly four other Three Thousand Years (Minneapo- to the Book of Psalms (Nashville: interpretive studies, the first by lis: Fortress, 1993). Holladay Abingdon, 1993), J. Clinton Patrick D. Miller Jr.: Interpreting moves from "The Psalms Take McCann Jr. emphasizes the instruc- the Psalms (Philadelphia: Fortress, Shape-A Reconstruction" through tional character of the psalms, using 1986). After a five-chapter section "The Psalter through History" to the organizing rubric of praise, on "general approaches" to inter- "Current Theological Issues," prayer, and profession. preting the psalms (chapters 4 and including the question of how the Perhaps the foremost interpreter 5, on laments and hymns respec- psalms function for Christians of the psalms in our generation has tively, are particularly helpful), today. been Walter Brueggemann. His Miller carefully and fully treats ten major contribution has been The selected psalms. Nahum Sarna, a Teaching and Preaching from Message of the Psalms (Minneapo- sensitive Jewish scholar, also works the Psalms lis: Augsburg, 1984), in which he with ten psalms in On the Book of Of course, any or all of the treats a total of fifty-nine psalms by Psalms: Exploring the Prayers of resources cited thus far can be using "a 'scheme' of orientation- Ancient Israel (New York: profitably used by teachers and disorientation-new orientation" Schocken, 1993; formerly titled preachers, but let me mention three (following Paul Ricoeur). Songs of the Heart). C. S. Lewis' additional works that have contrib- Brueggemann is especially con- Reflections on the Psalms (New uted directly to my own preaching cerned with "how the Psalms may York: HarcourtBraceJovanovich, and teaching. One is Tom Long's function as voices of faith in the 1958) is typically rich and reward- "Preaching on the Psalms," in actual life of the believing commu- ing. Consider his observations on Preaching and the Literary Forms nity" (10). Brueggemann's other praise (including the frequent call in of the Bible (Philadelphia: Fortress, works on the psalms include the psalms for all creatures to praise 1989). In this chapter Long not only Israel's Praise (Philadelphia: God): argues that contrary to some,"there Fortress, 1988); Abiding Astonish- is no good reason ... why the ment: Psalms, Modernity, and the But the most obvious fact about psalms cannot be sung and Making of History (Louisville: praise-whether of God or preached" (43), but he also shows Westminster/John Knox, 1991); and anything-strangely escaped us how to do it, using Psalm 1 as

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his primary example. Elizabeth Achtemeier likewise has a chapter entitled "Preaching from the The psalms are meant not only to be Psalms" in her Preaching from the studied and discussed but also to be Old Testament (Louisville: prayed and sung. Westminster/John Knox, 1989), 137-63. Achtemeier is right on target when she says: God: The Psalms as Tools for Theological Introduction to the Prayer (San Francisco: Book of Psalms. A work that I have Obviously, every preacher HarperSanFrancisco, 1991); not used myself but that comes well would like his or her congrega- Psalms: Prayers of the Heart recommended is The Psalter: tion to share, from experience, (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, Psalms and Canticles for Singing in the psalmists' relation to 1987); and Where Your Treasure Is: (Louisville: Westminster/John God. That is the purpose of Psalms That Summon You from Self Knox, 1993). And by all means, preaching from the Psalter-to to Community (Grand Rapids: read the article by Carol Shoun in so instruct a congregation in the Eerdmans, 1985).Even more this issue of Leaven-"God's Word life of faith, set forth in these helpful, I think, are Walter in Us Richly: The Power of the songs, that such a life becomes Brueggemann's Praying the Psalms Psalms as Song" -and take note of the congregation's life; to let (Winona, Minn.: St. Mary's Press, the resources suggested there. the words of the psalms so 1986) and his article "The Psalms inspire and work among the as Prayer" in the previously cited Conclusion gathered people that Israel's The Psalms and the Life of Faith, Let me conclude with one other, stance before God becomes the 33-66. The most comprehensive hopefully unnecessary, observation: congregation's stance, Israel's recent work on prayer, one that No single resource mentioned here, depth of devotion becomes their includes but is not limited to the nor all the resources together, is any devotion, Israel's heartfelt prayers of the psalms, is Patrick D. substitute for our reading, praying, response to God's deeds Miller Jr., They Cried to the Lord: and singing the psalms for our- becomes their response. (138) The Form and Theology of Biblical selves. As Anderson says in his Prayer (Minneapolis: Fortress, preface to Out of the Depths, "Since A third homiletical aid is the 1994). this is not intended as another book lectionary treatment of the psalms As for singing the psalms- about the Psalms but rather a guide by John H. Hayes in Preaching something that we need to do into the Psalms, it is extremely through the Christian Year (Valley corporately much more regularly important that you read the psalms Forge:Trinity; Year A, 1992; Year than we now do--a number of good themselves carefully ... " (10). B, 1993; Year C, 1994). resources are available. Among McCann echoes that sentiment with them are "The Theological Signifi- these words: Praying and Singing the cance of the Psalms in Worship," Psalms "Ways of Singing the Psalms in For those who read this book, it The psalms are meant not only Worship," "Contemporary Develop- is my hope that it will assist to be studied and discussed but also ments in Responsorial Psalmody," you in making the book of to be prayed and sung. For praying and "How to Introduce Psalms your book. I hope it will the psalms, there is much to be Responsorial Psalm Singing," in enable you to make its praises gained from the works of Eugene Robert E. Webber, ed., Music and your praises and its prayers Peterson (although I disagree with the Arts in Christian Worship, vol. your prayers. And finally, I his categorical assertion that psalms 4, bk. 1, The Complete Library of hope that the teaching con- are prayers directed by us to God, Christian Worship (Nashville: Star tained in this book will help to an assertion that implicitly excludes Song, 1994),309-20. Both interest- prepare you to be instructed by psalms as songs or as God's words ing and useful is the appendix, "The the book of Psalms itself. to and for us). See his Answering Singing of the Psalms" (176-81), in (Theological Introduction, 15) McCann's previously noted A

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There are any number of good thoughts and feelings. Group But whatever methodes) we choose, ways to appropriate the psalms for discussion of a psalm previously the goal remains the same: To lift ourselves. One old (but newly studied by the individual members up our souls to the One who desires rediscovered) method is to memo- of the group is always helpful. communion with us and who has rize them. Another is to read three Some groups find writing their own provided the psalms as a means to psalms daily in an incremental psalms and sharing those with one that end. fashion: thus, Psalms l, 2, and 3 on another to be very meaningful. day one; Psalms 2, 3, and 4 on day Certainly, learning to sing the PAUL WATSON is the preaching two; and so on. Still another is to psalms or, perhaps even better, to minister for the Cole Mill Road pray a specific psalm slowly, line chant the psalms will help fill us Church of Christ in Durham, North by line, filling the words of each with their richness in ways that Carolina, and serves on the Edito- phrase with your own related reflection and discussion cannot do. rial Board of Leaven.

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