Psalms 5050

On Line
Spring 2012
Professor:

Phillip McMillion

Contact Information
Phone 901 432-7719
Email pmcmillion@harding.edu
Course Description:
This course will provide an introduction to the book of Psalms. It begins with the history
of the interpretation of Psalms, and proceeds to an introduction to the writing and
collection of the present book of Psalms. Much of the course will focus on the various
types of Psalms that have been identified by modern scholarship and the study of selected
examples from each type. We will also consider the meaning and message of these
Psalms in their original context and for the modern world.
Textbooks:
Here is a bit about why each one was selected. Please understand that just because I use
a textbook, that does not mean that I agree with everything in it, nor do I expect you to
agree with everything. Some things will challenge us and make us think. Some things
will give us new ideas, and some will simply show us what the wider world of
scholarship is thinking.

Bernhard W. Anderson, Out of the Depths

Anderson is a well-known American Old Testament Scholar. He taught of
many years at Princeton and has written widely on the Old Testament. This is a
good overview of the Psalms from a moderately critical modern scholar. It will
present a good introduction to the current state of Psalms studies.

James Luther Mays, The Lord Reigns: A Theological Handbook to the

Psalms
Mays looks at the Psalms through the theme of the reign of God as king
over all. This important perspective from a leading Old Testament scholar
provides some powerful insights into the meaning of the psalms

Walter Brueggemann, The Message of the Psalms.

This book continues to be widely influential in the study of the psalms.
Brueggemanns categories for understanding the psalms provide a clear structure
for modern application of the psalms.

Walter Brueggemannn, Praying the Psalms.

A brief book with some very helpful insights.

Recommended:
Each student should have at least one good commentary on the Psalms to consult in class
preparation. James L. Mays, Psalms, in the Interpretation Commentary Series is one
good choice. You should read the comments on each psalm to be covered during the
week in class. There are several other commentaries listed below that would be
acceptable: Davidson, Eaton, Kraus, Schaefer, Word Biblical Commentary.

Objectives:
These are the things we hope to accomplish in this class. Each of these will be discussed
in detail and material will be presented on each area.
1.
Students should be able to explain the background and setting of the book of
Psalms and its place in Ancient Israel. Psalms was an important part of the literature of
ancient Israel and a better understanding of how it came about and its place in the life of
Israel should help us today.
2.
Students should be able to list and discuss the various types of psalms found
within the book. One of the important insights of modern scholarship is the discovery of
different types in psalms.
3.
Students should be able to discuss the various approaches to Psalms used in the
modern study of the book. How we study this material will certainly influence our
understanding of the material and how we can use it today.
4.
Students should be able to use this background information to explain specific
Psalms in detail. We will look at a number of individual psalms in some detail in our
study together.

5.
Students should be able to relate their study of Psalms to the modern world. We
do not want to leave our study in the ancient world, but we also want to consider how
these psalms may be used in the life of the individual and the church today.

Requirements:
1.
Read assigned materials. There will be readings in the textbooks, as well as from
some articles and mini-lectures posted on-line. Since there are no class lectures in the
traditional sense, reading becomes that much more important.
2.
Class participation. There will be internet discussions on assigned materials and
regular participation by everyone will be required. (20 % of grade)
3.
Post response to books by Mays, Brueggemann, Message, (20% of grade)
4.
A Mid-term exam. (20% of grade)
5.
A term paper of 15-20 pages on the background, setting, and exegesis of a
selected Psalm. (20% grade) Due April 30
6.
A Final exam. (20% of grade)

Written Responses to Textbooks by Mays, and Brueggemann,

You are to write a brief response to the books by Mays, and Brueggemann. The
Message of the Psalms. The responses should follow the pattern give below. You should
use page guidelines for approximate length of your postings.
1.

Three pages, typed, and double-spaced.

2.
No more than 1 page for a brief summary of the approach and purpose of the
book.
3.
At least 2 pages of your response to the book. You should consider questions
such as: Was the author successful in what he set out to do? Did you find this approach
helpful? How could you use this approach in your ministry? What questions or
problems does this book raise? On a scale of 1-10, what would you give this book and
why?
4.
Before you write, you should read at least 2 other reviews of each book. They
may be either online, or in print. List the reviews you read and where to find them at the
end of your own review. You should consider the reviews of others, but I want your
opinion, not simply the echo of someone else.
5.
These will be posted online. You should respond to at least one posting from
another student in the class. See the schedule for the date for posting each response.

Procedures:
elearning.Harding.edu
The course will use the Moodle program as its online environment. You should go the
www.harding.edu and under students and employees select Moodle. You can then log in
using your Harding username and password.
Sometime during the week of Jan. 16 you should be able to login with your own
username If you are unable to login, contact phone number listed in the next paragraph.
For support provided by Harding University phone 501-279-4938. This address and
phone number will put you in touch with Harding's Director of Academic Information
Systems, Paula Kirby. Paula or someone is usually available, except for late night
support.
You may email me personally at pmcmillion@harding.edu . You may call me at my
office at 901-432-7719. I will usually login to the course every weekday.
Reading Assignments:
The course is divided into 15 weekly modules. Two of these weeks are exam weeks.
The first week will be used to learn Moodle and to get to know each other. The
remaining 12 weeks have reading assignments from the textbooks, and a few other
sources. Each of the thirteen assignment weeks also contains online class notes. The
student must email me (not the class as a whole) that he or she has read the weekly
reading assignments each week by Monday 12 Noon CST. In other words, assignments
listed for each week should be read in advance of the Monday of that week so they can be
discussed during the week listed. I hope that is clear. Each student must also read and
participate in the class discussion each week (see the next section). All reading
assignments will be posted at the beginning of the class.
Class Participation:
Each student must contribute to class discussion at least two times each week. Your
contributions should be divided over at least two days (in order to maintain a flow of
discussion). Your contributions should average a total of 200-300 words per week (this
paragraph has 85 words). You may respond to my questions, ask your own questions,
respond to any of the readings, or respond to other students. All students are expected to
keep the class discussion within the class and not make copies for distribution. We want
the discussion to be as open as possible--but do remember that everyone will read
whatever you submit (unless you submit it specifically to me or to a class member).
Also note that there are additional postings of responses to two of the textbooks. This is
described above in the syllabus.

Auditors will not participate in the weekly discussion, but are welcome to participate in
the first week class introductions.
Exams:
There will be two exams during the semester: a midterm and a final. Each student
should submit the name and address of someone to proctor the exam and sign a statement
that they supervised the exam and followed my instructions. You will have up to 3 hours
to complete each exam.

Research Paper:
Each student will do a research paper dealing with one Psalm in detail. This should be an
exegesis of the original meaning, setting, background, context and other significant
information concerning this Psalm. You must submit your paper selection to me for
approval. The paper should be approximately 15 pages typed double spaced not
including bibliography.
Sources for Research:
Please go to the HUGSR website and look at the materials under the library section.
There are many helpful resources available there, and you should become familiar with
them.
Library Resources:
If you have not taken Advanced Theological Research (5990) or took it more than a year
ago, go to the HST Web site (www.hst.edu) for information concerning library services
to students. Under the library tab you will find a link to and instructions for searching
the HST online catalog (called Quest). There are also instructions for using the following
databases available through the library: OCLC FirstSearch, EBSCOhost, Infotrac, and
Religious and Theological Abstracts. Contact the library for passwords to these
databases. Also available are the research guides distributed in course 5990. These
annotated bibliographies list basic tools you will find helpful in your research.
The paper you will write for this class will be a research paper. This means you will need
access to theological resources that are not available online. For example, each of you
will need to look at the major commentaries on Psalms listed in the Bibliography. There
will not be enough time for everyone to check these books out by mail from our library.
You will need access to another good theological library or you will need to make a trip
to Memphis for research. (The major commentaries will be on reserve so that if you do
travel here they will be available. So, of course, will our periodicals.) You can research
what you might need online through the OCLC databases and through Harding's online
catalog. In addition to books and commentaries, you must also consult scholarly journals

and articles. These often contain valuable material that is not in the commentaries. Some
of the articles you need might be available online, but most of what you need will only be
available in printed form. You cannot write a top quality graduate level paper without
consulting the major journals. You need to plan to do this in some way.

Grading:
The student's weekly statements concerning completing the reading assignments and the
student's contributions to the threaded discussion will together account for 25% of the
grade. Contributions should reflect your reading but also analyzing and processing the
material. I expect the discussion to reflect some careful thought about the topic under
consideration. You are expected to complete the assignments on time. Late completions
will be penalized. The two exams and the term paper will count 25% each. The papers
must be emailed as an attachment by May 1, 2012. Late term papers will be docked one
letter grade per week
This course adheres to university guidelines regarding workload requirements per
credit hour.
Textbooks are available through our book services on campus. You can order them by
email (bdavid@hst.edu), phone (901-432-7735 or 800-366-7481), or fax (901-761-1358).
Students with Disabilities:
It is the policy of Harding University to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant
to federal and state law. Any student with a disability who needs accommodation should
inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. Students with disabilities are also
encouraged to contact Steve McLeod, the Associate Dean, at 901-761-1353.

Academic Honesty:
Cheating in all its forms is inconsistent with Christian faith and practice and will
result in sanctions which could include a failing grade for the assignment, a
failing grade for the course, dismissal from the course, and even dismissal from
school

Psalms

Schedule
A.

Introduction

B.

Scholarship and Approaches to the Psalms

6

C.

Narrative Psalms

D.

Lament:

E.

Penitential

F.

Thanksgiving: Community 107, 124

Individual 30, 34, 92, 103, 118, 138

G.

Praise

29, 93, 98, 99, 100, 103, 114, 136, 146-150

Praise for creation

8, 19:1-6, 104, 148.

Festivals and Liturgies:

Covenant Renewal
Enthronement
Davidic Covenant
Royal
Zion

50, 81
24, 29, 47, 93, 95 96, 97, 98, 99
89, 132
2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 101, 110
46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 121, 122

H.

78, 105, 106, 135

Community 44, 74, 79, 80, 90, 137

Individual 13, 22, 35, 51, 57, 71, 86, 88
32, 51, 102, 130, 139

I. Trust and Meditation

Trust
Wisdom
Torah
Liturgies

11, 16, 23, 27:1-6, 62, 63, 91, 121.

37, 49, 73, 112
1, 19:7-14, 119
15, 68, 82, 115, 134.

J. Psalms as a Book Overall Structure

K. Psalms in the New Testament
L. Psalms in Worship
We will select some of the Psalms from each group to look at in depth as representatives
of that type.

Psalms Bibliography
Arnold A. Anderson, The Psalms. 2 Vols, New Century Bible, 1972.
Leslie C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 Word Biblical Commentary. 2nd Revised ed. 2002.
Bernhard W. Anderson, Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak for Us Today. 3rd. ed.
Philadelphia: Westminster, 2000.
Anthony L. Ash and Clyde M. Miller, Psalms Living Word Commentary,1980.

Christoph Barth, Introduction to the Psalms, 1966.

Charles A. Briggs and Emilie Grace, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book
of Psalms. International Critical Commentary, 1906.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible. Minneapolis: Augsburg,
1970.
Walter Brueggemann, The Message of the Psalms, Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1984.
__________, "The Costly Loss of Lament," JSOT 36(1986): 57-71.
__________, "Psalms and the Life of Faith: A Suggested Typology of Function," JSOT
17(1980): 3-32.
__________, "The Formfulness of Grief," Interpretation 31(1977):263-275.
__________, Praying the Psalms, Winona, MN: St. Mary's Press, 1982.
__________, "From Hurt to Joy, from Death to Life," Interpretation 28(1974): 3-19.
Peter C. Craigie and Marvin Tate, Psalms 1-50. Word Biblical Commentary. Revised
ed. 2005.
Mitchell Dahood, Psalms, I, II, III. Anchor Bible, 1966.
Robert Davidson, The Vitality of Worship: A commentary on the Book of Psalms.
Eerdmans, 1998.
John H. Eaton, The Psalms: Introduction and Commentary
Torch Bible Commentary, 1967.
Hermann Gunkel, The Psalms: A Form Critical Introduction. Philadelphia: Fortress,
1967.
Derek Kidner, Psalms 1-72 and 73-150 Tyndale Old Testament Commentary, 1973.
H.J. Kraus, The Psalms 1-59 and 60-150, 1988.
H. J. Kraus, Theology of the Psalms, 1986.
James Limburg, The Psalms. Westminster Bible Companion. 2000.
J. Clinton McCann, Jr., A Theological Introduction to the Book of Psalms. Nashville,
Abingdon, 1993.

James Luther Mays, Psalms. Interpretation Commentary. Atlanta: John Knox Press,
1986.
__________, The Lord Reigns: A Theological Handbook to the Psalms. Louisville:
Westminster, 1994.
Patrick D. Miller, Interpreting the Psalms. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986.
Sigmund Mowinckel, The Psalms in Israels Worship, 1962.
Roland E. Murphy, The Psalms, Job. Proclamation Commentary, 1977.
W. O. E. Oesterly, The Psalms, 1953.
Andre Resner, Jr., "Lament: Faith's Response to Loss," Restoration Quarterly 32(1990):
129-142.
Nahum M. Sarna, Songs of the Heart: An Introduction to the Book of Psalms. New
York: Doubleday, 1992.
Donrad Schaefer, Psalms. Berit Olam Commentary. 2001.
Klaus Seybold, Introducing the Psalms. Edingurgh: T. & T. Clark, 1990.
Marvin Tate, Psalms 51-100. Word Biblical Commentary. 1991.
Samuel Terrien, The Psalms: Strophic Structure and Theological Commentary.
Eerdmans, 2003.
Klaus Westermann, Praise and Lament in the Psalms. Atlanta: John Knox, 1981.
Claus Westermann, The Living Psalms, 1989.
Claus Westermann, The Psalms: Structure, Content, and Message, 1980.
John T. Willis, Insights from the Psalms I, II, III, 1974.
Wittstruck, The Book of Psalms: An Annotated Bibliography, 2 Volumes, 1994.
Reference Room 016.2232/w832.