The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms 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

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

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

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

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

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 Psalms of Korah III Psalms of Asaph/laments IV Yahweh's kingship V Psalms of Return/Hallel

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?

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: What metaphors are used in these psalms? What relationships are reflected?

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?

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 What common pattern do these psalms share?

The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) The Psalms Of Exile and Return 137by the rivers of Babylon the Lord has done great things for us 133 Hinei Ma Tov

The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) Psalms in Modern Music Examples from Ps. 133 Hinei Ma Tov – Hebrew and English, world unity MBD & Avraham Fried - Hinei Ma Tov