Psalms term paper suggestion?
Comments
-
Three things I always told my students regarding my expectations fell along these lines:
How relevant is original language work for the paper?
Is this primarily a research paper, or should the research be a stepping stone for your own original thought?
Finally, on a 1-to-10 scale, what balance of devotional focus (closer to "1") to academic (closer to "10") should the paper have?
0 -
I've been asking to get the NIV Study Bible into Logos for years, in part because of Stek's work with the Psalms. It contains an excellent introduction to the Psalms, which is available online here: https://www.biblica.com/bible/online-bible/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/intro-to-psalms/
Some of the commentaries on the Psalms also contain good introductions and overviews of the Psalms. The ones in NICOT and Tyndale give pretty good overview, for example.
The Psalms Explorer in Logos (you may have it already), presents the Psalms in different ways: Genre, Structure and Author, and as organized in order and by book (there are 5 "books" within the Psalter). One area of Psalm study that seems to be in vogue now is the study of the Psalms of Lament, with a particular interest in incorporating more lament into the life of the church. (As with many trends, this one suffers from some superficiality in its understanding of lament, at least in some circles, IMHO).
Another perhaps more bite-sized chunk to study might be the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134), including what is believed to be their liturgical use (as processionals surrounding the Israelite feasts). Another smaller section to study could be the last 5 Psalms - which all begin with "Hallelujah" (in Hebrew). There are other collections of Psalms within the Psalter that could be worth studying as well, most of which you can find described in the introductions to the Psalms in commentaries and Old Testament introductions.
The book of Psalms is very large and very diverse, and can be approached in many, many ways. In one sense each Psalm is an individual entity, in another sense, each belongs and should be read in the context of the structure of book and it's internal collections.
If you have a Logos base package you probably already have some excellent resources to study the Psalms, and yet there are always more. Since I've not done a project like yours, I'm not sure what resources I'd recommend beyond those mentioned above.
Help links: WIKI; Logos 6 FAQ. (Phil. 2:14, NIV)
0 -
Hey Josh,
Don't forget about the Psalms Explorer Interactive (located on the Tools tab).
You can watch a video about it here: https://www.logos.com/product/45685/psalms-explorer
0 -
I am doing my PhD in the Imprecatory Psalms. . Quite an interesting topic, in my opinion. Focusing on one of the Imprecatory Psalms could easily be done in 10-12 pages. There is some nice resources (mainly master and doctoral thesis) available, especially online.
0 -
What is your favourite Psalm and why is it? Study that in the Psalms. It will be a topic you care about.
Alternatively, use the Psalm Explorer to look at the main themes in the Psalms and pick one you are interested in.
0 -
I am always amazed at the breadth and tone of everyone's emails..thanks guys. Blessings.
0 -
Topics within the psalms can be good [Torah in the Psalms, Imagery of the Psalms, Exodus story in the Psalms Violence in the Psalms] a paper of that size could easily be down simple focusing on the many aspects of Psalm 119... Another interesting thing might be to focus on Authors in the Psalms now theses most often have later dates but the ascribed authors as interesting value and interpretative tradition.
-dan
0 -
In a fascinating book - Spirituality of the Psalms - Walter Brueggemann looks at the Psalms from three perspectives:
- Psalms of Orientation
- Psalms of Disorientation
- Psalms of New Orientation
If this is the sort of approach that interests you it could be an interesting thing to engage with / see how others engage with it
0 -
Josh,
You might want to explore the NT use of the Psalms. There are a number of resources in Logos about the NT use of the OT that would help you engage that question.
Perhaps Jesus' use of the Psalms. Using the NT Use of the OT Interactive I discover 11 times Jesus quoted the Psalms.
Another avenue might be the Messianic interpretation of the Psalms in the NT. I think, for example, of Jesus' use of Psalm 110:1 in Mark 12:36, or Hebrews 5:6 use of Psalm 110:6.
Another might be the metaphorical uses of light and darkness (important in the NT) in the Psalms. Here, individual commentaries, and then dictionaries such as The Dictionary of Biblical Imagry would be helpful.
Pastor, North Park Baptist Church
Bridgeport, CT USA
0 -
Here are some resources:
1. The Message of the Psalms: A Theological Commentary by Walter Brueggemman.
2. How to Read the Psalms by Tremper Longman
3. Continental Commentary Series: Theology of the Psalms
4. WBC on the Psalms
5. NIB Commentary Psalms section
Anything on the Psalms by Brueggemann is great too! The others have made some great suggestions too.
Blessings!
DAL
0 -
As a resource Berit Olam is wonderful! Discusses structure, theology, liturgy and much more. Covers all 150 Psalms.
Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing wiser and more mature, and in favor with God and his fellow man.
International Standard Version. (2011). (Lk 2:52). Yorba Linda, CA: ISV Foundation.
MacBook Pro MacOS Sequoia 15.5 1TB SSD
0 -
Many excellent resources have been suggested. But if I may toot my own horn, so to speak, I posted a PB edition of Weiser's commentary at https://community.logos.com/forums/p/119018/780915.aspx#780915
The Gospel is not ... a "new law," on the contrary, ... a "new life." - William Julius Mann
L8 Anglican, Lutheran and Orthodox Silver, Reformed Starter, Academic Essentials
L7 Lutheran Gold, Anglican Bronze
0 -
Another interesting thing to study. Are the psalms in random order, or does their order have purpose and meaning as well? Was blessed by the author with a beta on the condition I would never allow another human to read it. Any way, he's one of my favorite profs. He was mentored by Sailhammer who was excellent as well.
Below is a title, and some info I lifted from http://www.etsjets.org/node/5129 about the book.
Cole, Robert L. Psalms 1-2: Gateway to the Psalter. Hebrew Bible Monographs, 37. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2013.
Description:
As against the form-critical approach, which sees the first two psalms as more or less random examples of the torah and royal types, this study argues for a deliberate and cogent arrangement of Psalms 1 and 2. A detailed linguistic analysis of and comparison between these two apparently disparate psalms at the outset of the book reveal the purpose for their juxtaposition. The principal characters in the first psalm are further described in the second. The man of Psalm 1 is portrayed in eschatological terms as an impeccable royal, sacerdotal, and all-conquering military figure. He appears again in Psalm 2 but as a heavenly-enthroned victorious priest and king. His opponents, the wicked in Psalm 1, are identified in Psalm 2 as recalcitrant rulers and peoples who reject his rule and seek to do away with him. However, the calculated divine response to their plotting assures their ultimate defeat unless they submit to him. This cohesive and coherent introductory pair of psalms sets a pattern at the beginning for reading all those that follow. Indeed, a thorough understanding of the first two psalms and their integrated message is a prerequisite for understanding the purpose of the entire book.
L2 lvl4 (...) WORDsearch, all the way through L10,
0 -
DAL said:
Here are some resources:
1. The Message of the Psalms: A Theological Commentary by Walter Brueggemman.
2. How to Read the Psalms by Tremper Longman
3. Continental Commentary Series: Theology of the Psalms
4. WBC on the Psalms
5. NIB Commentary Psalms section
Anything on the Psalms by Brueggemann is great too! The others have made some great suggestions too.
Blessings!
DAL
Spirituality of the Psalms by Walter Brueggemann
The Psalms and the Life of Faith by Walter Brueggemann
The Message of the Psalms: A Theological Commentary by Walter Brueggemann
Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit by Walter Brueggemann
From Whom No Secrets Are Hid: Introducing the Psalms by Walter Brueggemann*
*Not yet under contract in FL
I am not familiar with Tremper Longman's book but the others listed are truly wonderful.. An overlooked volume that is generally very good and a worth a look at is
The Vitality of Worship: A Commentary on the Book of Psalms by Robert Davidson
And a newer set that is pure gold (Pun sort of intended) is
Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms: Psalms, vol. 1
Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms: Psalms, vol. 2
Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms: Psalms, vol. 3
by John E. Goldingay
0 -
Spurgeon, Treasury of David.
0 -
These two haven't been mentioned yet:
Note that both are 30% off right now.
0 -
Ken McGuire said:
Many excellent resources have been suggested. But if I may toot my own horn, so to speak, I posted a PB edition of Weiser's commentary at https://community.logos.com/forums/p/119018/780915.aspx#780915
Ken, I picked that up a while back when you first posted it. Thanks again!
0
