DESCRIPTION: A study of the Psalter with particular reference to a cross-section of Psalms: 1, 2, 6, 22, 30, 42, 44, 51, 72, 73, 88, 89, 95, 100, 103, 104, 118, 119, 130, 137, 139, 147.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course students should have gained insight into a range of approaches to the study of the Psalms that can enable the Psalms to illumine and develop our relationship with God as the church and as individuals, and gained skill in analyzing and exegeting particular texts.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: See Learning Outcomes.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets once a week for three hours. Each class combines lecture, work in groups, and plenary discussion. In addition, students take part in a one-hour on-line discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

NRSV or TNIV and one other translation

Syllabus and Course Notes, posted at www.fuller.edu/sot/faculty/goldingay.

Pre-modern commentaries online: Augustine of Hippo; J. Calvin; M. Luther; C. H. Spurgeon; Thomas Aquinas.

Modern commentaries online at iPreach: J. L. Mays (Interpretation series); J. C. McCann (New Interpreter's Bible); A. Weiser (Old Testament Library series).

Print commentaries: as well as the above, A. A. Anderson, R. G. Bratcher and W. D. Reyburn, C. Broyles, W. Brueggemann (The Message of the Psalms), Chrysostom, P. C. Craigie/M. E. Tate/L. C. Allen (revised editions), E. Gerstenberger, J. Goldingay (Pss 1-41), Hossfeld and Zenger, D. Kidner, A. F. Kirkpatrick, H.-J. Kraus, K. Schaefer, Theodoret of Cyrus, C. Westermann (Living Psalms).

Dr. Goldingay's commentary on Psalms 42-150, posted at www.fuller.edu/sot/faculty/goldingay.

1. Attendance at classes and participation in on-line group discussion (pass/fail).

2. Weekly homework in preparation for class (about four hours each week; pass/fail).

3. One 2500-3000 word paper (4-5-pages) on a chosen psalm (one half of final grade).

4. One 2500-3000 word reflection (4-5-pages) on the Psalms as a whole (one half of final grade).

PLEASE NOTE: OT557 Psalms and OT507 are different variants of the same course, respectively based on the English text and the Hebrew text. Students may register for only one of the two courses.