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A Theological Introduction to the Book of Psalms: The Psalms as Torah
Taking his point of departure from the newest frontier of research, McCann reads the psalms in the context of their final shape and canonical form. He interprets the psalms as scripture as well as in their character as songs, prayers, and poetry from Israel's history. McCann's intent is to contribute to the church's recovery of the psalms as torah--as instruction, as a guide to prayer, praise of God, and pious living. The explicit connections which McCann draws from the psalms to the New Testament and to Christian faith and life are extensive, making his work suitable for serious study of the psalms in academic and in church settings. An appendix examines the tradition of singing the psalms and offers suggestions for the use of the psalms in worship.
206 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 20, 2018
A Theological Introduction to the Book of Psalms is one of the most important book written by McCann. According to him, the aim is "to assist readers to hear the book of Psalms itself.” (9) It is structured in four parts, in which the author focuses on studying the character, prayers, and poetry found in the Psalms, while analyzing its biblical identity and canonical arrangement. He explains, the “book of Psalms has been for centuries the primary resource for the liturgical and devotional life of the people of God.” (13) In this work, he also analyses a group of Psalms, arguing that they have an important theological background that are linked to different books of the Bible, such as, Genesis, Exodus, Job, the prophets, and the Gospels.
The book begins with the study of Psalms 1, 2, 19, 95, 96 and 119. One of the most important observations in this section is the instructional function of the Psalms. McCann argues that “Psalm 1 along with Psalms 19 and 119, is a torah-psalm, a psalm in which the concept of torah, “instruction” … is preeminent.” (25) Instruction is the link between this group of Psalms, and they emphasize the central role of the torah for the lives of the people of God. And, he suggests, these Psalms are an invitation to an “openness to God’s instruction and living in dependence upon God alone.” (41)
Then, he continues analyzing Psalms 8, 24, 100, 113, 117 and 150. He suggests that this group of Psalms emphasize two important aspects of God and humans, such as, identity and activity. And, he argues, “The Psalms make a radical claim: To praise God is to live and to live is to praise God! Thus, praise has everything to do with God’s identity and activity as well as with human identity and activity.” (54) Furthermore, God’s self-revelation to humans develops a series of activities that will shape the identity of the people of God. It begins with Moses and continues throughout Israel’s history, and today in the church.
To continue with the analysis, he studies Psalms 130, 3, 13, 88, 51, 32, 109, 137 and 82. Here, he concentrates in another essential aspect of the lives of the people of God, prayer. He explains, “While praise is fundamental, the voice of praise is not the dominant note in the book of Psalms. The hymns or songs of praise are outnumbered by prayers, more specifically, by prayers of lament or complaint.” (85)
In the last part of the book, he analyses Psalms 23, 46, 73, 48, 122 and 90, where he concentrates in God; His character and presence, and the necessity of the people. The most important of these aspects is the necessity of life, which begins in God and find the ultimate expression in God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ. (144) According to him, this can be understood in terms of security, happiness, assurance, and life. (142) All of them depend on one aspect, the character of God. He explains that verses 1-6, in Psalm 23, “suggest that it is God’s very character to provide for God’s people.” (131) In the same way, God also provide His presence which is a consequence of His steadfast love.
The analysis of the Psalms in this book allows to understand the theology found in the texts of every Psalm. The arguments are well presented, and they also describe the links between different Psalms in a way, that theology begins to emerge from the scripture itself. The classification of the groups of Psalms and the description of their most important aspects become a good reference to read them. It creates a map and helps to place oneself immediately in the reading, which makes it a comprehensible method to read the Psalms.
The emphasis on the main aspects, such as, instruction, identity, activity, prayer, God’s character, God’s presence, and necessity, creates a pattern that brings a new understanding of the Psalms. I think this is the reason why through this approach it is possible to identify the connection of Psalms with Jesus Christ and understand the function of each one of them immediately. In biblical studies it is important to identify the theology in the Old Testament that will lead us to Jesus and the New Testament, without leaving any gap that can cause deficiencies in the interpretation of the Gospels. I think McCann has done an excellent job identifying all these aspects.
Taking special care on guiding the reader in a step-by-step process, McCann achieved the primary purpose of this book. I think this book helps to see the Psalms in a different perspective, because the analysis is not focused on the psalters or the people, but on the function of the Psalms in relation to a larger theology found in the Bible. And, this is one of the most important features of this work.
The book begins with the study of Psalms 1, 2, 19, 95, 96 and 119. One of the most important observations in this section is the instructional function of the Psalms. McCann argues that “Psalm 1 along with Psalms 19 and 119, is a torah-psalm, a psalm in which the concept of torah, “instruction” … is preeminent.” (25) Instruction is the link between this group of Psalms, and they emphasize the central role of the torah for the lives of the people of God. And, he suggests, these Psalms are an invitation to an “openness to God’s instruction and living in dependence upon God alone.” (41)
Then, he continues analyzing Psalms 8, 24, 100, 113, 117 and 150. He suggests that this group of Psalms emphasize two important aspects of God and humans, such as, identity and activity. And, he argues, “The Psalms make a radical claim: To praise God is to live and to live is to praise God! Thus, praise has everything to do with God’s identity and activity as well as with human identity and activity.” (54) Furthermore, God’s self-revelation to humans develops a series of activities that will shape the identity of the people of God. It begins with Moses and continues throughout Israel’s history, and today in the church.
To continue with the analysis, he studies Psalms 130, 3, 13, 88, 51, 32, 109, 137 and 82. Here, he concentrates in another essential aspect of the lives of the people of God, prayer. He explains, “While praise is fundamental, the voice of praise is not the dominant note in the book of Psalms. The hymns or songs of praise are outnumbered by prayers, more specifically, by prayers of lament or complaint.” (85)
In the last part of the book, he analyses Psalms 23, 46, 73, 48, 122 and 90, where he concentrates in God; His character and presence, and the necessity of the people. The most important of these aspects is the necessity of life, which begins in God and find the ultimate expression in God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ. (144) According to him, this can be understood in terms of security, happiness, assurance, and life. (142) All of them depend on one aspect, the character of God. He explains that verses 1-6, in Psalm 23, “suggest that it is God’s very character to provide for God’s people.” (131) In the same way, God also provide His presence which is a consequence of His steadfast love.
The analysis of the Psalms in this book allows to understand the theology found in the texts of every Psalm. The arguments are well presented, and they also describe the links between different Psalms in a way, that theology begins to emerge from the scripture itself. The classification of the groups of Psalms and the description of their most important aspects become a good reference to read them. It creates a map and helps to place oneself immediately in the reading, which makes it a comprehensible method to read the Psalms.
The emphasis on the main aspects, such as, instruction, identity, activity, prayer, God’s character, God’s presence, and necessity, creates a pattern that brings a new understanding of the Psalms. I think this is the reason why through this approach it is possible to identify the connection of Psalms with Jesus Christ and understand the function of each one of them immediately. In biblical studies it is important to identify the theology in the Old Testament that will lead us to Jesus and the New Testament, without leaving any gap that can cause deficiencies in the interpretation of the Gospels. I think McCann has done an excellent job identifying all these aspects.
Taking special care on guiding the reader in a step-by-step process, McCann achieved the primary purpose of this book. I think this book helps to see the Psalms in a different perspective, because the analysis is not focused on the psalters or the people, but on the function of the Psalms in relation to a larger theology found in the Bible. And, this is one of the most important features of this work.
November 17, 2017
Although there were a few helpful and new points made about the Psalms, I found a lot of the text to be repetitive. I also found that many of the arguments made were not fully articulated or argued well. Some of the theology in the book seems way off. It may be worth a quick read as there are a few good bits as I mentioned above, but I wouldn't recommend it to a friend if they were looking for an extra-Biblical text on the Psalms.
August 5, 2016
Like a cheap cologne, this book doesn't stink altogether but I wouldn't say it smells good. There are some great insights yet a profound blindness as the author consistently dodges penal substitution and imputation. This is no surprise. I wasn't expecting a liberal to be evangelical. Since McCann was liberal with his theology, I'll be conservative with my stars.
August 8, 2016
For so short a book this has an immense amount of eye-opening information. This book presents the book of Psalms as instruction for life rather than simply poetry or an ancient song book. This is an amazing must-read for any serious Bible student.
September 9, 2011
Good on eon the Psalms. Great on the different genres, laments, praise etc. Very worthwhile, with a few oddities.
November 24, 2014
Completely changes the lens through which you read the Psalms. If you've read the Psalms as a collection of ancient hymns, you've been reading it wrong.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews