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.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The Psalms are the Bible's manual of examples and implicit instruction on the nature of praise and prayer.

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.

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 online discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

NRSV or TNIV and one other translation.

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

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

Print commentaries: 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, 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 the set psalms, posted at http://www.fuller.edu/sot/faculty/goldingay.

1. Attendance at classes (three hours each week) and participation in online group discussion (one hour each week) (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).