1. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=c7eb401edd250e5fc363 How should we read/interpret the Psalms? Not historical – attributions were added by the liturgical community Not christological/messianic – while a valid reading for Christians, we must first understand them on their original terms Liturgical : Genre and Setting Instructive : Torah and Community

2. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms Genres Hymn of praise - including a summons to and a reason for praise Communal lament – a description of disaster followed by a doxology Petition – a plea for divine intervention Individual lament – (most common) complaint, plea, reasons, doxology Individual Thanksgiving – report of trouble, report of prayer, affirmation of intervention, doxology

3. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms Settings God's dwelling place – the Temple or Creation Holy days Coronations Times of trouble Times of relief

4. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms Instructional Torah – the psalms often repeat the lessons of the Torah, they also accentuate the role of Torah and wisdom over that of the king Community – the use of the psalms brings the community into mutual experience of tradition, both historical and liturgical

5. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms Psalms as Poetry Meter Parallelism Symbolism Metaphor

6. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms Canonical Shape 5 sections paralleling the 5 books of the Torah I 1-41 Psalms 'of David' (royal/Torah) II 42-72 Psalms of Korah III 73-89 Psalms of Asaph/laments IV 90-106 Yahweh's kingship V 107-150 Psalms of Return/Hallel

7. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms of the Temple 15 righteousness 24 purity in approaching the Temple 84 desire to be in the Temple/God's presence What images are used of God? Of the psalmist? Of God's dwelling place?

8. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms of God the Creator and King 96 let all things praise God's glory 103bless the Lord who is just and loving 104bless the Lord, the Creator 150 final doxology of the collection: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbBtkArRdGw What metaphors are used in these psalms? What relationships are reflected?

9. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms of God who exalts the righteous 112blessed are those who fear the Lord 113bless the Lord who cares for the lowly What literary devices does the psalmist use? What is familiar/unfamiliar in the themes of these psalms?

10. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms to God the Deliverer 3God my defense 5-7laments 38forsake me not though I have sinned 55-60prayers for vindication 121 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc2IRQA3IlE&feature=player_embedded# http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc2IRQA3IlE&feature=player_embedded What common pattern do these psalms share?

11. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms Of Exile and Return 137by the rivers of Babylon... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmmSAt6easU 126 the Lord has done great things for us 133 Hinei Ma Tov http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr7u5Jia9_s&feature=player_embedded#

12. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) Psalms in Modern Music Examples from Ps. 133 Hinei Ma Tov – Hebrew and English, world unity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcHwZW5Y3nk MBD & Avraham Fried - Hinei Ma Tov http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy6DxfiD_tI&feature=related