Psalms 1–50 (Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 19 | WBC)
Overview
Peter Craigie demonstrates that the biblical psalms express “the most profound of human feelings and insights—prayer, praise, liturgy, wisdom and lament.” Through careful analysis of language, form, and historical setting, he communicates both the emotional and theological impact of the psalms as originally experienced by the people of Israel at public worship and in private devotions. Professor Craigie's translations and interpretations of the first 50 Psalms provide insights into the Hebrew language and how Israel's literature draws from Ugaritic texts. He provides a careful and critical analysis of various scholarly proposals and their implications for modern interpretation of the Psalter.
The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.
This is the first edition of Peter Craigie’s expert commentary. If you’re interested in the second edition, check out Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 19: Psalms 1–50 (Revised).
Top Highlights
“The psalm is written consistently from the perspective of the sheep; that is, its expression of trust and confidence presupposes an awareness of helplessness and need on the part of the one who trusts. In a distinctive fashion, the psalmist has set forth the fundamentals of the covenant relationship, not in terms of Lord and servant, but in the more intimate language of shepherd and sheep.” (Page 209)
“The doom of the wicked, as it is expressed in this psalm, is not primarily a punishment, any more than the happiness of the righteous is a reward. Each is presented as the natural outcome of a way of life which has been chosen.” (Page 61)
“The distinctiveness in the opening words of this psalm lies in the use of the pronoun, my shepherd; the shepherd theme, traditionally interpreted communally of the ‘flock’ (or nation), is here given its most personal interpretation in the entire biblical tradition.” (Page 206)
“ the wicked hold no weight or influence in the important areas of human society” (Page 61)
“It is a metaphor drawing on the ancient resources of the Hebrew tradition; thus the psalmist, in utilizing the metaphor, is linking his thought to a broader concept, namely that of God who had been experienced as shepherd by many persons over many generations. And the metaphor is loaded in another sense, too; the terminology of the metaphor associates it with the Exodus from Egypt and the Hebrews’ travels in the wilderness, when God’s provision and protection had been known like that of a shepherd. Thus, in a subtle fashion, the psalmist is expressing confidence and trust in such a manner that his sentiments are linked to the great acts of divine salvation of the past, which in turn formed the basis of the covenant faith.” (Pages 205–206)
- Title: Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 19: Psalms 1–50
- Author: Peter C. Craigie
- Series: Word Biblical Commentary
- Volume: 19
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson
- Print Publication Date: 1983
- Logos Release Date: 2002
- Pages: 504
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible › Commentaries--Collected works; Bible. O.T. Psalms › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9781418503666, 1418503665
- Resource ID: LLS:29.24.2
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-07-20T16:54:45Z