__This introduction to the interpretation of the Psalms encourages in-depth study of the text and genuine grappling with the historical, literary and theological questions that it poses. It draws on a range of methodological approaches as complementary rather than mutually exclusive ways of understanding the text. It also reflects the growing scholarly attention to the reception history of the Psalms, increasingly viewed as a vital aspect of interpretation rather than an optional extra.__  
   
'This introduction to the Psalms, by a scholar who has been studying them and praying them for decades, amply demonstrates their potential to feed our worship and revolutionize the way we pray.'  
John Goldingay, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Fuller Theological Seminar, California  
   
'The best introduction to the Psalms that I have ever seen.'  
J. Clinton McCann Jr., Evangelical Professor of Biblical Interpretation, Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri  
   
'A valuable resource for ministry students and any Christian who wants to go deeper with the Psalms.'  
Jenni Williams, Vicar of St Matthew with St Luke, and former Tutor in Old Testament at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford  
   
'An eminently readable introduction.'   
Sue Gillingham, Professor of the Hebrew Bible, University of Oxford

Jerome Creach

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

Introduction: The role of the Psalms in the life of the Church

The nature and purpose of this book

A preview of the book

Part 1 Issues in reading the Psalms and the Psalter

1 What is a psalm?

Titles for the book

How many psalms?

Anatomy of a psalm

Collections and clusters of psalms

The structure of the book

2 It’s poetry!

What is poetry and why is it important?

Important terms

What makes the Psalms poetry?

3 Did David write the Psalms?

Claims of Davidic authorship

Questioning David as author of the Psalms

Psalm 72 as turning point in Davidic authorship

Figurative readings of David in the Psalms

If not David, then who?

Recovering David in the Psalms

4 A psalm for every occasion: types of psalms

Psalms study in the twentieth century

Hermann Gunkel and the rise of form criticism

Types of psalms

Conclusion

5 Settings for performance of the Psalms

Cultic setting of the Psalms

Imagining the Psalms in worship

Specific theories of cultic settings

Re-use of cultic psalms

Part 2 Reading the Psalms together

6 Going by the book: the Psalter as a guide to reading the psalms

Signs of coherence

Going further: the theological shape of the Psalter

7 The theology of the Psalms, Part 1: ‘The Lord reigns!’

God's kingship as the centre of the Psalms

Administration of the Lord's reign

8 The theology of the Psalms, Part 2: What is the human being?

One who trusts

Right behaviour: Psalms 15 and 24

David as righteous

Part 3 The Psalms as prayers

9 The tradition of psalmic prayer, Part 1: Opening fully to God

Neglect of the Psalms in Christian prayer

The nature of psalmic prayer: out of the depths

The identity of those who pray the Psalms

The elements of psalmic prayer

A broader identity in prayer

10 The tradition of psalmic prayer, Part 2: Psalms that pray for ­vengeance

Why do we need prayers of vengeance?

Guidelines for praying psalms of vengeance

Three 'model' prayers

The imprecatory psalms and the meaning of 'vengeance'

Conclusion: The Psalms and Jesus Christ

Jesus' identity as Son of God and Messiah

Baptism, Transfiguration and trial

Suffering and death

Resurrection of the 'son of David'

Works cited

Copyright acknowledgements

Index of Scripture references and ancient authors

Index of modern authors

Index of subjects

This introduction to the interpretation of the Psalms encourages in-depth study of the text, and genuine grappling with the theological and historical questions raised, by providing a critical assessment of key interpreters and interpretative debates. It draws on a range of methodological approaches (author-, text- and reader-centred) as complementary rather than mutually exclusive ways of understanding the text. It also reflects the growing scholarly attention to the reception history of biblical texts, increasingly viewed as a vital aspect of interpretation rather than an optional extra.

\["Looking for a comprehensive study of the Psalms?","This academic Bible study considers structure, context and reception of the Psalms","You'll find a rich and wide-reaching examination that broadens your understanding"\]

Up-to-date and wide ranging, this theological introduction to the book of Psalms considers structure, context, interpretation and historical resonance.

__Jerome F. D. Creach is Robert C. Holland__ Professor of Old Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His recent publications include Violence in Scripture (Westminster John Knox Press, 2013) and Psalms (Westminster John Knox Press, 2012).

Discovering the Psalms

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