PSALMS OF LAMENT AS A RESOURCE FOR CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN WORSHIP by Joshua Caleb Strickler A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the College of Ministry of NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGY AND CULTURE 2015 Thesis Supervisor: Robert C. Stallman Second Reader: William E. Owen Dean of the College of Ministry: Wayde-L GoodallGoodall ABSTRACT This thesis claims that Contemporary Christian Worship (CCW) currently does not include songs of lament which were significant in the worship of Israel and the Early Church. Moreover, a proper understanding of both the genre and function of lament can play a formative role in the enrichment of CCW which seeks to be genuinely biblical. It begins with an overview of the biblical usage of lament in the Old and New Testaments, with special emphasis given to the way Jesus transforms the lament for a New Testament context. Through a qualitative analysis of the most popular songs in the CCW movement the thesis shows that lament is missing from its music. Since this thesis argues that lament should be sung in CCW services it also demonstrates the importance of singing for Christian worship. Using four lament psalms as examples of the genre it focuses on four primary lessons that laments teach the contemporary Christian, concluding with the creation of two laments in CCW style music as examples of how the genre can be used in a contemporary context. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................................... ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................... iii CHAPTER 1: PROLEGOMENA.....................................................................................................1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Statement of Problem..................................................................................................................2 Purpose of Research.................................................................................................................... 2 Definitions and Presuppositions ............................................................................................... 3 What is “Contemporary Christian Worship”?.......................................................................3 Biblical Worship ..................................................................................................................... 4 Author’s Intention.................................................................................................................... 5 On the Use of Scripture...........................................................................................................5 On Language ........................................................................................................................... 7 Methodology and Outline.......................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 1: Prolegomena..........................................................................................................8 Chapter 2: Lament as a Component of Biblical Worship.....................................................8 Chapter 3: Contemporary Christian Worship and Lament................................................ 8 Chapter 4: The Importance of Singing.................................................................................. 9 Chapter 5: Psalms of Lament.................................................................................................. 9 Chapter 6: Conclusion............................................................................................................10 CHAPTER 2: LAMENT AS A COMPONENT OF BIBLICAL WORSHIP.............................. 11 Introduction ................................................................................................................................11 Old Testament Lament..............................................................................................................11 iii Old Testament Lament: Outside of the Psalms 12 Old Testament Lament: The Psalms....................................................................................15 New Testament Lament.............................................................................................................22 New Testament Lament: Christ’s Usage..............................................................................23 New Testament Lament: Early Church...............................................................................26 Differences between Old Testament and New Testament Use.............................................30 Contemporary Application........................................................................................................ 32 CHAPTER 3: CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN WORSHIP AND LAMENT......................... 34 Introduction................................................................................................................................34 Song Selection Methodology.....................................................................................................34 Analytical Methodology............................................................................................................ 37 What Is a Psalm of Lament?................................................................................................. 37 Limitations..............................................................................................................................38 Analysis.......................................................................................................................................40 Invocation................................................................................................................................41 Plea to God for H elp..............................................................................................................42 Lament.................................................................................................................................... 43 Confession of Sin/Assertion of Innocence.......................................................................... 44 Curse of Enemies................................................................................................................... 44 Confidence in God’s Response..............................................................................................45 Hymn or Blessing.................................................................................................................. 46 Summary Analysis.................................................................................................................. 46 Conclusion..................................................................................................................................49 iv CHAPTER 4: THE IMPORTANCE OF SINGING 50 Introduction................................................................................................................................50 Why Sing in Worship?...............................................................................................................51 God’s Character......................................................................................................................51 God’s A cts...............................................................................................................................53 God’s Promises.......................................................................................................................55 Instructions on Using Song......................................................................................................56 Music as a Vehicle for Thought and Emotion........................................................................ 58 Conclusion.................................................................................................................................. 60 CHAPTER 5: PSALMS OF LAMENT......................................................................................... 61 Introduction................................................................................................................................61 Psalm 4 ........................................................................................................................................64 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 64 Structure.................................................................................................................................. 67 Commentary........................................................................................................................... 69 God is the Answer to AH Suffering.......................................................................................69 How to Go to God with Life’s Suffering..............................................................................70 Praising God in the Midst of Suffering................................................................................ 70 Standing in Solidarity with Those Who Are Suffering......................................................71