Psalms

Resources for the Book of Psalms
(Check the Scripture Index for links and study resources pertaining to specific pericopes)

Introductions, Overviews & General Resources:
- Psalms at Luther Seminary's Bible Tutor. Study basics about Bible books, people, dates, places, and content, and take web-based self-tests. CD-ROM of Advanced Studies also available at their site.
- Bible Briefs, Psalms: study guide from Virginia Theological Seminary.
- Psalms, Wikipedia.
- Psalms, The Jewish Encyclopedia, 1910.
- The Catholic Encyclopedia: Psalterium, Alphabetic Psalms.
- Introduction to the Book of Psalms, New American Bible.
- Introduction, Outline, and Selected Bibliography for the Book of Psalms, by David Malick at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
- Bible Basics (Psalms) by NetMinistries. (Very basic - includes .wav files with pronunciation of Biblical words)
- Psalms in the World Wide Study Bible.
- Walking Through the Bible: Psalms.
- Biblenotes summary: Psalms.
- Preface, The Treasury of David by Charles H. Spurgeon.
- Introducing the Psalms, Patterns for Life: Structure, Genre, and Theology in Psalms, Types of Psalms (Chart), Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute.
- "The Prayers of the Psalter," Henry Wansbrough, Introduction to the Psalms.
Commentary, Exegesis, Studies, etc.:
- Psalms, Geneva Study Bible, 1599.
- Psalms, Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1706.
- Psalms, Wesley's Notes, c 1760.
- Psalms, Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871.
- Psalms, Scofield Reference Notes, 1917.
- "The Great Documents of the Persian Period," Gerald A. Larue in Old Testament Life and Literature, 1968.
- Psalms, Barry Bandstra, Reading the Old Testament.
- The Book of Psalms, verse by verse commentary, Robert Nguyen Cramer, BibleTexts.com.
- Psalms, Expository Notes, Dr. Thomas L. Constable, Dallas Theological Seminary, 2005 edition.
Articles and Background:
- "SummerSong - Summer Preaching and Worship Series," Rolf Svanoe, Peace Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, SD.
- "Praying the Psalms," Lawrence S. Cunningham, University of Notre Dame. Theology Today, 1989.
- The Psalms, numerous articles, Volume V, Number 2, Word & World, Luther Seminary.
- "Images of YHWH the Warrior in Psalms," Marc Brettler, Women, War, and Metaphor: Language and Society in the Study of the Hebrew Bible, Semeia 61: An Experimental Journal for Biblical Criticism, 1993.
- "Music and Musical Instruments in the Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel/Palestine," Theodore W. Burgh, Ph.D., University of Notre Dame. Bible and Interpretation.
- "Tuning Hebrew Psalms to Reggae Rhythms: Rastas' Revolutionary Lamentations for Social Change," Nathaniel Samuel Murrell. CrossCurrents, Winter 2000-01.
- "The Dangers of De-Fanging God," by Kari Jo Verhulst. Reflections on [the Psalms within the] revised common lectionary, cycle B. Sojourners Online, November/December, 1999.
- "The Enthronement of Yhwh and David: The abiding theological significance of the kingship language of the Psalms," J J M Roberts, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2002.
- "A Role-Taking Theory of Praying the Psalms: Using the Psalms as a Model for Structuring the Life of Prayer," Robert Moore Jumonville and Robert Woods, Journal of Biblical Studies, 2003.
- "Learning to Sing the Psalms," Cynthia Bourgeault, BeliefNet. (Includes sound files.)
- "Singing the Psalms: A Brief History of Psalmody," Dr. Richard Leonard, Worship Symposium Online.
- "The Messiah in the Psalms," from The Messiah in the Old Testament in the Light of Rabbinical Writings, Risto Santala, trans Michael G. Cox. Full text online.
- "The Psalms in Ministry," Barry Bence, Word & World, 1985.
- Prayer and the Common Life, by Georgia Harkness. Full text of book (Abingdon, 1968) at Religion Online.
- "Die Knechte im Psalter. Ein Beitrag zu seiner Kompositionsgeschichte," U. Berges, Biblica 81 (2000). (English Abstract)
- "Interpreting Curses in the Psalms," Alex Luc, JETS, 1999.
Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
- Adamo, David Tuesday, "Decolonizing the Psalter in Africa," Black Theology, 2008.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Bosma, Carl J., "Discerning the Voices in the Psalms: A Discussion of Two Problems in Psalmic Interpretation, Part 1," Calvin Theological Journal, 2008.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Bosma, Carl J., "Discerning the Voices in the Psalms: A Discussion of Two Problems in Psalmic Interpretation, Part 2," Calvin Theological Journal, 2009.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Burnet, Joel S., "Forty-Two Songs for Elohim: An Ancient Near Eastern Organizing Principle in the Shaping of the Elohistic Psalter," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 2006.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Curtis, Edward M., "Ancient Psalms and Modern Worship," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1997.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Knowles, Melody D., "The Flexible Rhetoric of Retelling: The Choice of David in the Texts of the Psalms," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2005.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Mays, James Luther, "The David of the Psalms," Interpretation, 1986.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Murphy, S. Jonathan, "Is the Psalter a Book with a Single Message?" Bibliotheca Sacra, 2008.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Roberts, J.J.M., "The Enthronement of Yhwh and David: The Abiding Theological Significance of the Kingship Language of the Psalms," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2002.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Williams, Rowan, "Augustine and the Psalms," Interpretation, 2004.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Reviews:
- 2000:
  - Limburg, James. Psalms. (Westminster John Knox Press, 2000) Review by Bruce A Power in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
- 2001:
  - Bullock, C. Hassell, Encountering the Book of Psalms: A Literary and Theological Introduction. (Baker, 2001)
    - Reviews by Bradley Embry and Bruce A. Power (2 reviews) in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
    - Review by JW Lee in The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2003.
  - Crenshaw, James L., The Psalms: An Introduction. (Eerdmans, 2001)
    - Review by Stephen Breck Reid in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
    - Review by James Todd Borger in The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2003.
    - Review by Tim M Sigler, Trinity Journal, 2004.
  - Erbele-Küster, Dorothea, Lesen Als Akt des Betens: Eine Rezeptionsaesthetik der Psalmen. (Neukirchener Verlag, 2001) Review by Kirsten Nielsen in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Gerstenberger, Erhard S., Psalms, Part 2, and Lamentations. (Eerdmans, 2001) Review by Thomas Hieke in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Hiebert, Robert J.V., Claude E. Cox and Peter J. Gentry, eds, The Old Greek Psalter: Studies in Honor of Albert Pietersma. (Sheffield Academic Press, 2001) Review by Ross Watner in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Reid, Stephen B. editor, Psalms and Practice: Worship, Virtue, Authority. (The Liturgical Press, 2001) Reviews by W Dennis Tucker and Wayne Ballard (2 reviews) in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Schaefer, Konrad Psalms. (The Liturgical Press, 2001) Reviews by Richard G. Smith and Carleen R. Mandolfo (2 reviews) in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Schroeder, Christoph O., History, Justice, & the Agency of God: A Hermeneutical & Exegetical Investigation on Isaiah & Psalms. (Brill, 2001) Review by W.H. Bellinger in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Trebolle, Julio and Susana Pottecher, Libros de los salmos: Himnos y lamentaciones. (Editorial Trotta, 2001) Review by Pablo Torijano Morales in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
- 2002:
  - Brown, William P., Seeing the Psalms: A Theology of Metaphor. Westminster John Knox, 2002.
    - Review by Timothy E. Saleska in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2003.
    - Review by William L Holladay, Theology Today, 2004.
  - Clifford, Richard J., Psalms 1-72. (Abingdon, 2002)
    - Review by James L. Crenshaw in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
    - Review by Stephen L. Cook in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2004.
  - Fokkelman, J.P., The Psalms in Form: The Hebrew Psalter in its Poetic Shape. Deo, 2002. Review by Gerald H. Wilson in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Haney, Randy G. Text and Concept Analysis in Royal Psalms. (Lang, 2002)
    - Review by Hallvard Hagelia in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
    - Review by Hallvard Hagelia in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Hopkins, Denise Dombkowski, Journey through the Psalms. Chalice, 2002. Review by Tyler F Williams in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Hossfeld, Frank-Lothar, Die Psalmen II: Psalm 51-100. Echter Verlag, 2002. Review by Patrick D. Miller in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2004.
- 2003:
  - Attridge, Harold W. and Margot E. Fassler, eds., Psalms in Community: Jewish and Christian Textual, Liturgical, and Artistic Traditions. Society of Biblical Literature/Brill, 2003. Reviews by Mark Mcentire and Beth La Nell Tanner in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Loretz, Oswald, Psalmstudien: Kolometrie, Strophik und Theologie ausgewählter Psalmen. de Gruyter, 2003. Review by Erhard S. Erhard in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2004. (Review is in English.)
  - Parrish, V. Steven, A Story of the Psalms: Conversation, Canon, and Congregation. Liturgical Press, 2003.
    - Reviews by Thomas Hieke and Dorothy Jonaitis, Op, in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
    - Review by V. Steven Parrish in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2004.
  - Terrien, Samuel, The Psalms: Strophic Structure and Theological Commentary. (Eerdmans, 2003)
    - Reviews by James L. Crenshaw and Gerald H. Wilson in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
    - Review by Stephen Ryan in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2004.
    - Review by Willem A VanGemeren, Trinity Journal, 2004.
- 2004:
  - Eaton, John, Meditating on the Psalms. Westminster John KNox, 2004. Reviews by Brian Russell, Philippus J. Botha, and Gerald Wilson, Review of Biblical Literature, 2005.
  - Grant, Jamie A, The King as Exemplar: The Function of Deuteronomy's Kingship Law in the Shaping of the Book of Psalms. Society of Biblical Literature/Brill, 2004. Reviews by Patricia Dutcher-Walls and Gershon Brin in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Gruber, Mayer, Rashi's Commentary on Psalms, Brill, 2004. Review by Isaac Gottlieb in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Mowinckel, Sigmund, The Psalms in Israel's Worship. Eerdmans, 2004. Reviews by Erhard Gerstenberger and William Brown, Review of Biblical Literature, 2005.
- 2005:
  - Day, John, Crying for Justice: What the Psalms Teach Us about Mercy and Vengeance in an Age of Terrorism. Kregel, 2005. Review by Horst Seebass, Review of Biblical Literature, 2007.
  - Eaton, John, The Psalms: A Historical and Spiritual Commentary with an Introduction and New Translation. T&T Clark, 2005. Review by John Vassar, Review of Biblical Literature, 2007.
  - Firth, David G., Surrendering Retribution in the Psalms: Response to Violence in the Individual Complaints. PaterNoster, 2005. Review by Brian Russell, Review of Biblical Literature, 2006.
  - Hossfeld, Frank-Lothar and Erich Zenger, Psalms 2: A Commentary on Psalms 51-100. Fortress (Hermeneia), 2005. Review by Thomas Kraus, Review of Biblical Literature.
  - Human, Dirk J. and Cas J.A. Vos, eds., Psalms and Liturgy. T&T Clark, 2005. Review by Dennis Tucker, Review of Biblical Literature, 2005.
  - Miller, Patrick D. and Peter W. Flint, eds., The Book of Psalms: Composition and Reception. Brill, 2005. Review by Thomas Kraus, Review of Biblical Literature, 2005.
  - Vos, Cas J.A., Theopoetry of the Psalms. T&T Clark, 2005. Review by Jan P. Fokkelman, Review of Biblical Literature, 2007.
- 2006:
  - Hill, Robert C., translator, Theodore of Mopsuestria: Commentary on Psalms 1-81. Brill, 2006. Review by Claudio Zamagni, Review of Biblical Literature, 2007.
  - Mays, James L., Preaching and Teaching the Psalms. Westminster John Knox, 2006. Review by Robin Gallaher Branch, Review of Biblical Literature, 2006.
- 2007:
  - Brueggemann, Walter, Praying the Psalms: Engaging the Scripture and the Life of the Spirit. Cascade, 2007. Review by Patrick D. Miller, Review of Biblical Literature, 2008.