Encountering the Book of Psalms: A Literary and Theological Introduction, 2nd ed.
Overview
Though the Psalms are perhaps the most familiar portion of the Hebrew Bible, they are also among the most difficult to interpret. In this new, thoroughly updated edition of a successful textbook, a respected evangelical Old Testament scholar offers a guide to the book of Psalms that is informed by current scholarship and written at an accessible level. Designed for the undergraduate classroom, it includes photos, sidebars, and other pedagogical aids and features a new interior design.
Key Features
- Presents an updated edition of a popular scholarly guide to Psalms
- Includes chapter objectives and outlines
- Contains charts, illustrations, and graphics
Contents
- Part 1: Encountering the Literary and Hermeneutical Dimensions of the Psalms
- “Begin the Music”: Introducing the Psalms
- Listening to the Symphony of Praise: Interpreting the Psalms
- The Seams of the Garment of Praise: The Structure of the Book
- Part 2: Encountering the Psalms as Worship and Historical Reflection
- The Psalms in Worship and Faith
- Encountering Theology and History in the Psalms
- Part 3: Encountering the Psalms as Literary and Theological Types
- “Praise the Lord, O My Soul; All My Inmost Being, Praise His Holy Name”: Psalms of Praise
- “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”: Psalms of Lament
- “I Love the Lord, for He Heard My Voice; He Heard My Cry for Mercy”: Psalms of Thanksgiving
- “The Lord Is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want”: Psalms of Trust
- “You Are My Son; Today I Have Become Your Father”: The Royal Psalms
- “The Lord Reigns”: The Kingship of Yahweh Psalms
- “My Mouth Will Speak Words of Wisdom”: Wisdom Psalms
- “The Law of the Lord Is Perfect, Reviving the Soul”: Psalms of Torah
- “May They Be Blotted Out of the Book of Life”: Imprecatory Psalms
Top Highlights
“The two components essential to the genre are (1) the psalmist’s report about his crisis, and (2) the statement or declaration that the crisis has passed and his deliverance is an accomplished fact.” (Page 142)
“Antithetic parallelism is a method of saying contrasting things in different lines and in different ways” (Page 21)
“ but the most powerful weapon of all, the praise of God, was still available to his people” (Page 111)
“Given the honest nature of the psalmists about their life in this world and with God, lament ought to be a legitimate part of modern Christian worship.” (Page 124)
“A strophe is a logical unit determined by either the subject matter or the structure of the poem.” (Page 23)
Praise for the Print Edition
Hassell Bullock presents the fruit of a lifetime of academic study and spiritual practice devoted to the Psalms. The first edition brought understanding and appreciation, and the second edition will do this and more. Hassell brings these poems of old off the page and into the hearts and lives of readers. The Psalms sing again.
—Richard S. Hess, distinguished professor of Old Testament, Denver Seminary
Readers can hear and feel the psalmists’ heartbeat for God as they read Hassell Bullock’s book on the Psalms. This revised edition is thoroughly updated and contains many useful and reader-friendly features, including sidebars, photos, figures, charts, and more. An especially welcome feature is the new attention to the canonical reading of the Psalter, i.e., to the book’s structure and message as an organic whole. If one reads through this book—along with the book of Psalms itself!—one’s spiritual life and love for God and neighbor will be immeasurably enriched. I heartily recommend it.
—David M. Howard Jr., professor of Old Testament, Bethel Seminary, St. Paul, MN
Hassell Bullock has done it again! In this revision of his time-honored Encountering the Book of Psalms, he combines the mind of a scholar, the clarity of a teacher, the heart of a pastor, and the deep piety of one who has long walked with God as he guides the reader to learn, to live, and to love the Psalter.
—Daniel J. Estes, distinguished professor of Old Testament, Cedarville University
Bullock’s first edition has proven itself to be the most comprehensive introduction to the Psalter for students, pastors, and serious lay readers. What was already an outstanding treatment is now further enriched by years of mature reflection in preparation for his two-volume commentary on the Psalms. This updated edition of Bullock’s balanced and student-centered volume is most welcome.
—John W. Hilber, professor of Old Testament, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary
Product Details
- Title: Encountering the Book of Psalms: A Literary and Theological Introduction
- Author: C. Hassell Bullock
- Edition: 2nd
- Series: Encountering the Bible
- Publisher: Baker Academic
- Publication Date: 2018
- Pages: 288
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Topic: Psalms