DESCRIPTION:

A study of the Psalter with particular reference to a cross-section of Psalms: 1, 2, 6, 22, 30, 42, 44, 51, 72, 73, 88, 89, 95, 100, 103, 104, 118, 119, 130, 137, 139, 147. Students study these psalms on their own, with the aid of commentaries, and with other people, and practice analyzing passages with a view to preaching on them and seeking to discern how they speak to the church today. The course considers major themes and motifs which run through the Psalms.

By the end of the course students should have gained insight into a range of approaches to the study of the Psalms that can enable the Psalms to illumine and develop our relationship with God as the church and as individuals, and gained skill in analyzing and exegeting particular texts.

The course meets twice a week for ten weeks. Each two-hour class combines lecture, work in groups, and plenary discussion. Students complete substantial preparation for each class, on average one hour of preparation for each class hour, including study of the biblical text and other specified reading. The course emphasizes collaborative learning and students commit themselves to working together with other students.

Students do not need to possess any books except an NRSV, one other translation, and a copy of the Course Reader.

An annotated list of works on the Psalms appears in the Course Reader and students will be expected to sample these during the course (see below). They will be expected to use the commentaries by A. A. Anderson, C. Broyles, W. Brueggemann, P. C. Craigie/M. E. Tate/L. C. Allen, E. Gerstenberger, D. Kidner, H.-J. Kraus, J. L. Mays, and C. Westermann.

1. Preparation for each class (33%).

2. 10-page study of a chosen text (33%).

3. 10-page reflection on studying the Psalms as a whole (33%).

None.

PLEASE NOTE: OT557 Psalms and OT507 are different variants of the same course, respectively based on the English text and the Hebrew text, meeting together one day and separately the other days. Students may register for only one of the two courses.

Elective.

Only for students who miss more than one class.