The Psalms and Their Theology (BA3030W)

Content

The Psalms and Their Theology studies the book of Psalms within Israel’s historical, social and cultic environment and the broader Ancient Near East context. Grounded in a thorough linguistic and literary analysis of the text of the Psalms, we will study their theological contribution(s). We will learn how the Psalms provided the people of Israel with prayers, songs and cries for God’s intervention, and how they have informed and shaped the lives of people of faith across the centuries. We will evaluate the ways the Psalms have been woven into the fabric of Christian worship, and their continued influence in our contemporary world, even beyond the bounds of the Church in popular culture.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Prerequisite: 15 Points in BA

Pedagogy

The learning in this unit will be scaffolded by learning materials produced by the lecturer, together with readings. Learning activities may include: exegetical exercises to practice and develop skills, regular learning tasks, engagement through online forums, virtual classroom sessions and student collaboration.

Indicative Bibliography

• Adamo, D.T. “Psalm 35 in Africa (Yoruba) Perspective.” Old Testament Essays 32.3 (2019): 639–955.
  
• Bosma, C.J. “Discerning the Voices in the Psalms: A Discussion of Two Problems in Psalmic Interpretation.” Calvin Theological Journal 43.2 (2008): 183–212.
  
• Bosma, C.J. “Discerning the Voices in the Psalms: A Discussion of Two Problems in Psalmic Interpretation Part 2.” Calvin Theological Journal 44.1 (2009): 127–170.
  
• Kroeger, C.C. and M.J. Evans (Eds). The IVP Women's Bible Commentary. Downers Grove [Ill.]: InterVarsity Press, 2002.
  
• Talstra, E. “Singers and Syntax: On The Balance of Grammar and Poetry in Psalm 8.” In Give ear to my words: Psalms and other poetry in and around the Hebrew Bible: essays in honour of Professor N.A. van Uchelen. 11–22. Edited by J.W. Dyk. Amsterdam: Societas Hebraica Amstelodamensis, 1996.
  
• Vriezen, T.C., and A.S. Van Der Woude. Ancient Israelite and Early Jewish Literature. Edited by B. Doyle. Leiden: Brill, 2005.
  
• Lombaard, C. “The Psalms’ Ancient Musicality, Later Musical Reception and Bono’s Psalmic Spirituality.” Old Testament Essays 32.2 (2019): 764–780.
• Waltke, B.K., J.M. Houston, and E. Moore. The Psalms as Christian Worship: A Historical Commentary. Grand Rapids [Mich.]: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010.
• Watson, W.G.E. Classical Hebrew Poetry: A Guide to Its Techniques. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series 26. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1984.

Assessment