Praying the Psalms: Theology, Poetry, and Liturgy (BA9023Z)

Content

In this unit students identify the literary and poetic features of psalms and consider the contexts in which they were written, and how the Psalter as a whole has been collated and edited into a collection. There is exploration of the theologies embedded in and expressed through the psalms, and careful and creative thought is given to how to use and translate them for various liturgical contexts today. Psalm genres studied include lament, wisdom, complaint, and thanksgiving.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

This unit requires two postgraduate foundation units in Biblical Studies.

Pedagogy

This unit's pedagogical framework includes on-line and blended lectures in intensive mode, guiding students in identifying the literary features of psalms in the light of the contexts in which they were written. Class discussion will be utelised, with topics including how the Psalter has been collated and edited into a collection, exploration of the theologies embedded in and expressed through the psalms, and careful but creative thought as to how to use and translate psalms for liturgical contexts today. Psalm genres studied include lament, wisdom, complaint, and thanksgiving. Students will have satisfactorily completed: *BS1001/BS8001 Reading the Bible 1: Introduction to Biblical Texts. *AL1002/BS8002 Reading the Bible 2: Introduction to Biblical Languages *BA2001/BA9001 Becoming the people of God: The Pentateuch in Context

Indicative Bibliography

• Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Poetry, rev ed. New York: Basic Books, 2011.
• Charry, Ellen. Psalms 1-50. Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press.
• deClaissé-Walford, Nancy; Rolf Jacobsen & Beth LaNeel Tanner. The Book of Psalms, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2014.
• de Gruchy, Isobel. Psalms Now: Paraphrased for Today, 2022.
• Gillingham, Susan E. Psalms through the Centuries, vols 1 & 2. Blackwell Bible Commentaries. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012, 2023.
• Hossfeld, Frank-Lothar & Erich Zenger. Psalms 2: A Commentary on Psalms 51-100, Hermeneia. Translated by Linda M. Maloney. Edited by Klaus Baltzer. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2005.
• Psalms 3: A Commentary on Psalms 101-150, Hermeneia. Translated by Linda M. Maloney. Edited by Klaus Baltzer. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2011.

Assessment