Continental Commentary Series: Theology of the Psalms (CC)
Overview
Hans-Joachim Kraus’s Theology of the Psalms is meant to accompany, enrich, and complement his magisterial 2-volume commentary (also available in this collection). In the Psalms, Yahweh reveals himself in the history of his people. The Psalms point beyond themselves to the mystery and wonder of revelation and concealment, of the presence and distance of the God of Israel. The theology of the Psalms could be called “a biblical theology in miniature,” for in them are revealed the complexity of the manner in which Israel’s faith, confession, praise, and prayer are brought together.
Top Highlights
“Consequently, the theology of the Psalms involves a constant effort to remain true to its subject matter—God and Israel, God and the person in Israel, in their encounter and fellowship, established by God and brought to realization by God. It involves God’s dealings with the person and the person’s dealings with God.” (Page 14)
“Above all, the influence that the Psalms have had throughout history shows that the poor, the enslaved, the persecuted have been able to express themselves in the language of prayer of the Psalter. Even in the songs of praise, the Psalms are not the hymns and prayers of a church triumphant that exists in liturgical security; they are the language of the ענוים, the ‘poor,’ the people that was chosen and bidden to travel a new and better way among the nations.” (Page 16)
“Just as these texts warn us against regarding the cult, the distinctive characteristic of the Psalms, as something far removed from history or even antagonistic to it, so too the idea must be rejected that what occurs in the Psalms is of sacral, purely ‘spiritual’ interest, and free from any political significance.” (Page 16)
“Strictly speaking, all laments of the individual contain expressions of trust and assurance; they contain within themselves the transition to praise. Israel did not know of any lament for the sake of lament, and even the songs of praise of the individual are not sharply separated from the laments. Lamentation and thanks, petition and praise contrast like two foci of an ellipse. The individual psalms stand somewhere between the two, related to both.’” (Page 142)
Exceptionally rich, presenting the fruits of a lifetime of research in an attractive and helpful way.
—James Limburg, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Luther Seminary, Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Title: Continental Commentary Series: Theology of the Psalms
- Author: Hans-Joachim Kraus
- Translator: Keith Crim
- Publisher: Fortress Press
- Publication Date: 1982
- Pages: 236
