How to Preach the Psalms (Preaching Biblical Literature)

by Kenneth J. Langley

Publisher:

Fontes Press

, 2021

Overview

Psalms are poems, and as such, they appeal to our emotions, imagination, and aesthetic sense. But that appeal is muted in sermons that force them into a homiletical mold better suited to didactic material. In these pages, students and seasoned preachers alike will find proven strategies for preserving the “poemness” of the psalms when preaching these matchless texts. Sample sermons are included to allow readers to see these strategies in practice.

Key Features

• Includs sample sermons to allow readers to see these strategies in practice
• Features proven strategies for preserving the “poemness” of the psalms when preaching these matchless texts

Contents

• Series Introduction
• Author’s Preface
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Genre
• Chapter 2: Image
• Chapter 3: Moves
• Chapter 4: Poetics
• Chapter 5: Words
• Chapter 6: Orality
• Chapter 7: Emotion
• Chapter 8: Context
• Conclusion
• Appendix 1: Preach All the Psalms, Preach Whole Psalms
• Appendix 2: Sample Sermons
• Select Bibliography
• Subject Index
• Index of Psalms Discussed

Praise for How to Preach the Psalms

This well-researched book is, to use a classical homiletical image, a ‘jewel.’ Kenneth Langley takes the genre of psalm and turns it in the light, allowing each facet to flash with brilliance. In his hands, the psalms glisten with new and exciting preaching possibilities. Every preacher will gain new insight for psalm preaching from this fine book.

—Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor Emeritus of Preaching, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, author of Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible

Langley’s work is a must-read for the preacher planning to expound a psalm or two (or a hundred and fifty). Chock-full of tips and strategies, all delivered to the reader in an amicable and avuncular tone, this tome will make you want to preach a psalm next Sunday! Take and read … and preach!

—Abraham Kuruvilla, Senior Research Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Ministries, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX

For years I’ve used Ken Langley’s various materials on the psalms in all my masters and doctoral courses. Now, pastors and students everywhere are fortunate to have his work in complete and published form. Ken has the depth and insight to write a book on preaching the psalms. In addition to being a scholar and teacher, he has been a preaching pastor for decades. In this book, he leads us through fourteen genre-sensitive strategies for preaching the psalms, showing how our sermons can capture, not only their meaning, but also their emotion. His footnotes, and ‘For Further Study’ citations at the end of each chapter, offer rich resources for anyone wanting to delve further into a topic. As you read through the book, you’ll find yourself filing notes of Ken’s discussions of various psalms, thinking, ‘Whenever I preach this psalm, I’ll want to read this page again!’ This is a fine and helpful book!

—Don Sunukjian, Professor of Preaching, Talbot School of Theology

Product Details

• Title: How to Preach the Psalms
• Author: Kenneth J. Langley
• Series: Preaching Biblical Literature
• Publisher: Fontes Press
• Print Publication Date: 2021
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subject: Preaching
• ISBNs: 9781948048538, 1948048531
• Resource ID: LLS:HOWPREACHPSALMS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-06-19T22:17:20Z

About Kenneth J. Langley

Kenneth J. Langley (DMin) is senior pastor at Christ Community Church in Zion, IL. He has served as president of the Evangelical Homiletics Society and is currently adjunct professor of homiletics at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and Jennifer have seven children and eleven grandchildren.