Reading the Psalms Theologically - (Studies in Scripture and Biblical Theology) by David M Howard & Andrew J Schmutzer (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Integrative approaches to the Psalter

Reading the Psalms Theologically presents rich biblical-theological studies on the Psalter.

• Reading the Psalter as a Unified Book: Recent Trends (David M. Howard and Michael K. Snearly)
• The Macrostructural Design and Logic of the Psalter: An Unfurling of the Davidic Covenant (Peter C. W. Ho)
• David's Biblical Theology and Typology in the Psalms: Authorial Intent and Patterns of the Seed of Promise (James M. Hamilton)
• A Story in the Psalms? Narrative Structure at the "Seams" of the Psalter's Five Books (David "Gunner" Gunderson)
• Does the Book of Psalms Present a Divine Messiah? (Seth D. Postell)
• The Suffering Servant in Book V of the Psalter (Jill Firth)
• Excavating the "Fossil Record" of a Metaphor: The Use of the Verb nasa' as "to forgive" in the Psalter (C. Hassell Bullock)
• The Art of Lament in Lamentations (May Young)
• The Psalms of Lament and the Theology of the Cross (Rolf A. Jacobson)
• "In Sheol, who can give you praise?" Death in the Psalms (Philip S. Johnston)
• Psalm 32: More Accurately a Declarative Praise than Penitential Psalm (Daniel J. Estes)
• Theology of the Nations in the Book of Psalms (Ryan J. Cook)
• Psalm 87 and the Promise of Inclusion (Jamie A. Grant)
• YHWH Among the Gods: The Trial for Justice in Psalm 82 (Andrew J. Schmutzer)
• Reclaiming Divine Sovereignty in the Anthropocene: Psalms 93-100 and the Convergence of Theology and Ecology (J. Clinton McCann)
• A Theology of Glory: Divine Sanctum and Service in the Psalter (Jerome Skinner)
• Perceptions of Divine Presence in the Levitical Psalms of Book 2: The Paradox of Distance and Proximity (J. Nathan Clayton)
• Psalm 110, Jesus, and Melchizedek (David C. Mitchell)

The essays interpret the Psalms as a carefully-composed book. Each study focuses on a biblical or theological topic, drawing insights from past interpreters and current scholarship.

From the Back Cover

Integrative approaches to the Psalter

Reading the Psalms Theologically presents rich biblical-theological studies on the Psalter. The essays interpret the Psalms as a carefully-composed book. Each study focuses on a biblical or theological topic, drawing insights from past interpreters and current scholarship.

Contributors include David M. Howard, Michael K. Snearly, Peter C. W. Ho, James M. Hamilton, David "Gunner" Gunderson, Seth D. Postell, Jill Firth, C. Hassell Bullock, May Young, Rolf A. Jacobson, Philip S. Johnston, Daniel J. Estes, Ryan J. Cook, Jamie A. Grant, Andrew J. Schmutzer, J. Clinton McCann, Jerome Skinner, J. Nathan Clayton, and David C. Mitchell.

Review Quotes

The book of Psalms is a mirror of the soul, according to John Calvin, and it is also a deeply theological book. The Psalms speak to and about God in a way that brings the reader into his very presence. Reading the Psalms Theologically reflects on the significance of the Psalms as a book and explores issues like the laments and suffering, divine sovereignty and presence, as well as the nations and the gods. This book will deepen your understanding of the book of Psalms as well as God himself. I enthusiastically recommend this collection of essays for all serious students of this important biblical book.

Tremper Longman III, Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

This collection of discerning studies is a most welcome offer. The scholar-authors are well versed in form critical study, and in the historical, cultural contexts of the Psalms. But they do not linger there. They boldly move beyond such conventional research questions to consider important and insistent theological issues that hover all around the Psalter. In moving in this direction, these scholars are faithful to the Psalter itself, for surely the framers and early users of the Psalter were focused on matters that pertained to real life. This collection will be an important reference point for future study.

--Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary

This is a volume begging to be written for some time now, for it is an issue avoided and left vacant even while the Psalms have continued to be a source of great spiritual comfort to many readers. Up to this point, very little has been done to show how the five books appearing in the Psalms form an integrated, holistic message. But Howard and Schmutzer have brought together their own fine contributions to solve this problem, along with an outstanding group of colleagues to fill in this gap in our understanding on this topic. I commend this book to all who have enjoyed the Psalms over the years but have found little help thus far on the subject of what really unifies the message and theology found in these 150 psalms.

--Walter C. Kaiser, president emeritus, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

This collection of essays, each focused on the formation of psalms and the Psalter, brings together contributors both familiar and new. ... The pitch--for ministers, students and lay leaders--is just right, as the pastoral implications of psalmody are sustained throughout.

--Susan Gillingham, Professor Emerita of the Hebrew Bible, University of Oxford

Reading the Psalms Theologically is a gift to the church. Its superb essays mostly treat the Psalms as a loaf of bread not as slices. The contributors share a high view of inspiration, carefully researched their topic, exalt Christ, and argue their thesis cogently.

--Bruce K. Waltke, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Regent College, Vancouver; Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Knox Theological Seminary

About the Author

David M. Howard Jr. is professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Bethel Seminary. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including The Structure of Psalms 93-100, and coeditor of The Psalms: Language for All Seasons of the Soul.Andrew J. Schmutzer is professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute and coeditor of The Psalms: Language for All Seasons of the Soul.