Introduction to the Psalms: A Song from Ancient Israel

Introduction to the Psalms: A Song from Ancient Israel seeks to provide the reader with a solid introduction to the Hebrew Psalter, one that is informed by an interest in its shape and shaping. The author, Nancy deClaiss?-Walford, provides an up-to-date study on the poetic style of the psalms in the Psalter, their Gatt?ngen or genres, the broad shape of the book, and the history of its shaping. She introduces each of the five books of the Psalter, providing a detailed examination of those individual psalms that are either key to the shaping of the Psalter or interesting studies in poetic style. In the final chapter, deClaiss?-Walford draws conclusions about the shape of the Psalter and about its story and message. She proposes a way to read the Psalms as a unified whole and in relationship to one another rather than as individual pieces, giving an inclusive, all-encompassing shape to the Psalter. Included are two appendices that provide a listing of the superscriptions and Gatt?ngen of the psalms in the Hebrew Psalter and an explanation of many of the technical terms found in their superscriptions.

Author: Nancy L. Declaisse-Walford
Publisher: Christian Board of Publication
Published: 11/10/2004
Pages: 184
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 8.56h x 6.58w x 0.53d
ISBN13: 9780827216235
ISBN10: 0827216238
BISAC Categories:
- Religion | Biblical Studies | Old Testament | General

Binding Material: Paper

About the Author
Nancy deClaiss?-Walford is associate professor of Old Testament and biblical languages at McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University, Atlanta, and she is the author of Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Textbook from Chalice Press.