How to Read the PsalmsThe Psalms possess an enduring fascination for us. For frankness, directness, intensity and intimacy, they are unrivaled in all of Scripture. Somehow the psalmists seem to have anticipated all our awe, desires and frustrations. No wonder Christians have used the Psalms in worship from the earliest times to the present. Yet the Psalms cause us difficulties when we look at them closely. Their poetry is unfamiliar in form. Many images they use are foreign to us today. And the psalmists sometimes express thoughts that seem unworthy of Scripture. Tremper Longman gives us the kind of help we need to overcome the distance between the psalmists' world and ours. He explains the various kinds of psalms, the way they were used in Hebrew worship and their relationship to the rest of the Old Testament. Then he looks at how Christians can appropriate their message and insights today. Turning to the art of Old Testament poetry, he explains the use of parallelism and imagery. Step-by-step suggestions for interpretating the psalms on our own are followed by exercises for further study and reflection. Also included is a helpful guide to commentaries on the Psalms. Here is a book for all those who long to better understand these mirrors of the soul. |
Contents
The Genres of the Psalms | 19 |
The Origin Development and Use of the Psalms | 37 |
The Psalms The Heart of the Old Testament | 51 |
A Christian Reading of the Psalms | 63 |
The Psalms Mirror of the Soul | 75 |
The Art of the Psalms | 87 |
Old Testament Poetry | 89 |
Understanding Parallelism | 95 |
A Melody of Psalms | 123 |
Psalm 98 Let All the Earth Praise God Our Warrior | 125 |
Psalm 69 Lord I Suffer for Your Sake | 133 |
Psalm 30 Thank You Lord for Healing Me | 143 |
Epilog | 149 |
Notes | 151 |
Answers to the Exercises | 157 |
Guide to Commentaries on the Psalms | 165 |
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Common terms and phrases
acrostic acts ancient answer appears beginning Bible Biblical blessing chapter Christ Christian clear closely coming commentaries connection context covenant curse David describe doubt earth emotions enemies example expresses frequently further genre give God's hand heart Hebrew historical holy hymn Identify imagery individual instance interpretation Israel Israelites Jesus king lament language leads lives look LORD meaning mentioned metaphor mind Old Testament parallelism particularly person picture poem poetic phrase poetry praise prayer presence Press prose psalmist Psalms Psalter question reasons reference reflects relationship repetition sense setting similar sing song speak specific stanza structure suffering thanks thanksgiving theology things thought titles translated treaty trust turn types understand verse warrior whole wisdom worship written