Lamar E. Cooper, Sr. Room: E207
Senior Professor Office: 214-818-1322
Old Testament & Archaeology
OTS 510 L00.A Old Testament Intensive: Psalms
Fall 2015
Definition
Old Testament 510 is an intensive study of the Book of Psalms based on the English text of the Bible. Attention will be given to the genre of Hebrew poetry in general, a study of selected psalms in particular, from the one-hundred-fifty psalms in the Book of Psalms. Particular attention will be given to the exegesis and exposition of selected psalms.
Purpose
A study of selected Psalms from the Old Testament will enable those who complete this course to exegete, interpret, teach, preach and otherwise apply biblical principles from Hebrew poetry, especially from psalms in the Old Testament Book of Psalms. The methodology gleaned from this course may be used for personal development, and practical application but may also be used with individuals and groups.
Objectives
Several objectives emerge from the purpose for this course:
1. Students taking this course will be able practically to apply the principles of interpretation for Hebrew poetry to poetic materials in the Old Testament.
2. Students taking this course will be able to discover the faith and life principles in the literary genre of Old Testament poetry and apply them to everyday life.
3. Students taking this course will be able to define, relate and apply key theological terms and concepts found in the poetry of the Old Testament.
4. Students taking this course will be able to relate Hebrew poetic material in the Old Testament to the larger context of the Old Testament canon.
5. Students taking this course will be able to relate Hebrew poetic material, especially the Psalms, to the New Testament canon.
6. Students taking this course will develop an appreciation for the practical value of the poetic materials in the Old Testament, especially the Book of Psalms.
7. Student taking this course will be able to evaluate available bibliography on the poetry of the Old Testament, especially the Book of Psalms.
8. Students taking this course will gain experience in translation and exegesis of selected Psalms.
Textbook
Van Gemeren, Willem. Psalms, in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Vol 5 Revised. Tremper Longman III & David Garland. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.
The Holy Bible N KJV or NASB
Grading
1. There will be a weekly take home quiz. The quiz will be based on the reading assignment for that week’s calendar day in the VanGemeren text and the “Reflections,”. And the biblical text of the listed psalms. There will be 13 weekly quizzes. At the end of the course the three lowest will be dropped. There are no make up exams on the weekly quizzes. The quiz grades will be averaged and the average will represent 25% of the final grade.
2. There will be a mid-term take home exam on October 1 that will comprise 25% of the final grade. There will be a final exam on December 10 that will comprise 25% of the final exam will comprise 25% of the final grade. The final 25% of the grade will be a paper described in # 3 below.
3. Each student will submit one expository teaching or preaching exposition of at least ten pages, from one of the following types of Psalms: Wisdom, Penitential, Messianic, Assurance, Worship. These must be prepared according to guidelines listed with this syllabus and the Criswell College Manual of Style based on Turabian. This exposition will be due November 26 and may be delivered as hard copy in person or by email at the following address (). All late submissions will be subject to a late penalty of one letter grade reduction. This exposition will comprise 25% of the final grade.
Psalms – Daily Assignments
Aug 17 - Introduction to the Course
Introduction to Hebrew Poetry & Book of Psalms
Thematic Classification of the Psalms
Reading: VanGemeren pp. 23-74
24 - Exegetical and Hermeneutical approaches to Hebrew poetry
The Wisdom Psalms 1, 14, 15, 49, 73
Reading: VanGemeren on the Psalms listed; Reflection, “The Ways of Wisdom and Folly,” pp. 84-89;
31 - Theology of the Psalms
Creation Psalms or Nature Psalms 8, 19, 29, 104, 147
Reading: VanGemeren on the Psalms listed; Reflection -“Yahweh is my God,” pp.106-07.
Sept 7 - Labor Day – No Class
Sept 14 - Repentance in the Old Testament
Penitential Psalms 6, 25, 32, 38, 51
Reading: VanGemeren on the Psalms listed; Reflection - “Sin and Forgiveness, pp. 760-62-657; Reflection -“Yahweh is My Redeemer,” pp. 544-48.
Sept 21 - Imprecation in the Old Testament
Imprecatory Psalms 6, 35, 58, 69, 83, 109, 137
Reading: VanGemeren on the Psalms listed; Reflection - “Lord Sabaoth,” p. 263; Reflection - “Anger in the Psalms,” pp. 643-47; Reflection - “Imprecations in the Psalms,” pp. 953-55.
Sept 28 - Introduction to Messianic Hope in the Old Testament
Use of Psalms in the New Testament
Oct 5 - Messianic Hope in Psalms
Messianic Psalms 2, 16, 22, 45, 72, 110
Readings: VanGemeren on Psalms listed; Reflection - “Yahweh as King,” pp. 119-23; Reflection - “The Messianic King,” pp. 681-86; Reflection - “Zion Theology,” pp.408-10.
Oct 12 - Comfort in the Bible
Assurance Psalms, 23, 27, 46, 91
Readings: VanGemeren on the Psalms listed; Reflection - “The Perfections of Yahweh,” pp. 271-74; Reflection – “The Name of Yahweh,”. pp. 135-36; Reflection – “Yahweh is El Elyon,” pp. 152-53.
Oct. 19 - Worship in the Old Testament; Theology of Worship
Worship Psalms, 84, 95, 100, 105, 122
Readings: VanGemeren on the Psalms listed,; Reflection - “The Mighty Acts of Yahweh,” pp. 603-06; Reflection - “The Praise of Yahweh,” pp. 505-09; Reflection – “Yahweh is El,” pp250-51; Reflection – “Yahweh Sabaoth,” p. 263.
Oct 26 - Pilgrimage in the Old Testament
Psalms of Ascent, Degrees or Pilgrim Psalms 121, 125, 127, 132, 133
Readings: VanGemeren on the Psalms listed; Reflection - “The Ark of the Covenant and the Temple: Symbols of Yahweh’s Presence and Rule,” pp. 931-35.
Nov 2 - The Use of Acrostic in the Old Testament & Psalms
Acrostic Psalms, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119
Readings: VanGemeren on the Psalms listed, Reflection “The Word of God,” pp. 220-22.
Nov 9 - Psalms of Comfort in Suffering, 13, 40, 42, 77, 90
Readings: VanGemeren on the Psalms listed, Reflection - “Musical Instruments,” pp. 1010-11; Reflection - “Sheol-Grave-Death in the Psalms,” pp. 663-66; Reflection - “The Poor and Oppressed,” pp, 969-70.
Nov 16 - Psalms in the New Testament
Psalms in the Qumran Community
Nov 23-27 Fall Break & Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov 30 Teaching and/or Preaching from the Psalms
Review
Dec 7 Final Exam
Psalms
Selected Bibliography
By Lamar E. Cooper, Sr.
Alter, Robert. The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2007.
_____. The Art of Biblical Poetry. New York: Basic Books, 1985.
Anderson, A. A. Psalms (1-72) in The New Century Bible. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1972.
_____. Psalms (73-150) in The New Century Bible. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1972.
Armerding, Carl. Psalms in a Minor Key. Chicago: Moody Press, 1973.
Brueggemann, Walter. The Message of the Psalms. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984.
Bullinger, E. W. Figures of Speech in the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1982.
Bullock, C. Hassell. Encountering the Book of Psalms. Grand Rapids: Baker Acdemic, 2005.
Clarke, Arthur G. Analytical Studies in the Psalms. Kilmarnock, Scotland: John Ritchie, LTD., 1976.
Cohen, A. The Psalms, in Soncino Books of the Bible. London: The Soncino Press, 1971.
Cox, Samuel. The Pilgrim Psalm: An Exposition of the Songs of Degrees. London: Daldy, Isbister, & CO., 1874.
Crim, Keith R. The Royal Psalms. Richmond: John Knox Press, 1962.
Daniel, Robert T. How to Study the Psalms. Westwood, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1953.
Delitzsch, Franz. Biblical Commentary on the Psalms: Volume 1. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1970.
_____. Biblical Commentary on the Psalms: Volume 2. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1970.
_____. Biblical Commentary on the Psalms: Volume 3. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1970.
Dickson, David. Psalms. London: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1965.
Futato, Mark D. Interpreting the Psalms: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2007.
Gaebelein, Arno C. The Psalms. Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1939.
Hilber, John W. Psalms: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.
Inch, Morris A. Psychology in the Psalms. Waco: Word Books, 1969.
Jaki, Samuel L. Praying the Psalms: A Commentary. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001.
Jones, Edgar. The Cross in the Psalms. London: Independent Press, 1963.
Kidner, Derek. Psalms 1-72. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1975.
_____. Psalms 73-150. Tyndale Old Commentaries. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1975.
Kirkpatrick. A. F. The Psalms, in the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Cambridge: at the University Press, 1910.Knight, George A. F. Psalms Volume 1. Louisville, KY: Westminster, John Knox Press, 1982.
_____. Psalms Volume 2. Louisville, KY: Westminster, John Knox Press, 1982.
Kraus, Hans-Joachim. Psalms 1-59. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993.
_____. Psalms 60-150. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993.
_____. Theology of the Psalms. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1979.
Leupold, H. C. The Psalms. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1972.
Meyer, F. B. The Psalms: Notes and Readings. London: Morgan and Scott, 1891.
Phillips, John. Exploring the Psalms. Volume One: Psalms 1-41. Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1985.
_____. Exploring the Psalms. Volume Two: Psalms 42-72. Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1986.
_____. Exploring the Psalms. Volume Three: Psalms 73-106. Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1986.
_____. Exploring the Psalms. Volume Four: Psalms 107-119. Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1987.
_____. Exploring the Psalms. Volume Five: Psalms 120-150. Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1988.
Power, Philip Bennett. “I Will: Determinations of the Man of God, as found in some of the ‘I wills’ of the Psalms. London: Wertheim, Macintosh, and Hunt, 1862.
Ross, Allen P. A Commentary on The Psalms: Volume 1 (1-41). Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2011.
_____. A Commentary on The Psalms Volume 2 (42-89). Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2013.
_____. A Commentary on The Psalms Volume 3 (90-150). Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2015.
Sarna, Nahum M. On the Book of Psalms: Exploring the Prayes of Ancient Israel. New York: Schocken Books, 1993.
Scroggie, W. Graham. The Psalms. Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1972.
Smith, Billy K. Works Speak: A Word Study of the Book of Psalms. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1984
Spurgeon, Charles H. The Treasury of David. Volume 1, Psalms 1-57. Peabody, MS: Hendrikson Publishers,
n. d.
_____. The Treasury of David. Volume 2, Psalms 58-110. Peabody, MS: Hendrikson Publishers, n. d.
_____. The Treasury of David. Volume 3, Psalms 111-150. Peabody, MS: Hendrikson Publishers, n. d.
VanGemmeren, Willem. “Psalms,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 5. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1991.
Wiersbe, Warren. Meet Yourself in the Psalms. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1983.
Yates, Kyle M. Psalms of Joy and Faith. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1973.
Related Books
Allen, Ronald and Borror, Gordon. Worship: Rediscovering the Missing Jewel. Portland: Multnomah Press, 1982.
Chapel, Bryan. Christ-Centered Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1994.
Chisholm, Robert B., Jr. From Exegesis to Exposition. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.
Dorsey, David A. The Literary Structure of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1999.
Greidanus, Sidney. Preaching Christ in the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1999.
House, Paul R. Old Testament Theology. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1998.
Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. Toward and Exegetical Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981.
Keller, Phillip. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1974.
Meyer, F. B. David: Shepherd, Psalmist, King. New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1895.
Mowinckel, Sigmund. He That Cometh: The Messiah Concept in the Old Testament and Later Judaism. Nashville: Abingdon Press, n. d.
Owens, Ron. Return to Worship: A God-Centered Approach. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1999.
Van Groningen, Gerard. Messianic Revelation in the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1990.
Wiersbe, Warren. Preaching and Teaching with Imagination. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1994.
Zuck, Roy B. (Ed.). A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 1991.