DESCRIPTION: A study of the Book of Psalms with particular reference to a cross-section of Psalms: 6, 30, 42, 51, 72, 88, 89, 95, 100, 104, and 139. The whole of each psalm will be studied, but about ten verses each week will be designated for study in Hebrew.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The Psalms are the Bible's manual of examples and implicit instruction on the nature of praise and prayer, and studying them in their original languages enhances our understanding of them.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will have demonstrated that they have gained (1) insight into a range of approaches to the Psalms which can enable them to illumine and develop our relationship with God as the church and as individuals; (2) the ability to understand the Psalms in Hebrew.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets weekly for three-hour classes for ten weeks (one of which is in finals week). One hour will consider general approaches to different types of psalms; the other two hours will focus on the Hebrew text of a psalm. In addition, students will take part in a half-hour online discussion each week. Classes also involve preparation of the Hebrew text and other preparation, requiring on average about six hours per week most weeks.

REQUIRED READING:

A copy of the Hebrew text of the OT (e.g., BHS) (online at http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt2601.htm).

An NRSV or TNIV or CEB and one other translation.

A Hebrew Lexicon (BDB or HALOT).

A Hebrew Syntax (e.g., Williams [revised edition] or Waltke/O'Connor).

See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs" available at http://schedule.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html.

1. Attendance at classes (3 hours each week) and participation in online group discussion (.5 hour each week) (pass/fail).

2. Weekly homework relating to class on general approaches to Psalms (about 2.5 hours each week; pass/fail).

3. Weekly translation and comment on about ten verses of a psalm in Hebrew (about 3.5 hours each week; one half of final grade).

4. One 2500-3000 word exegetical study (4-5 single-spaced pages) of a passage from a psalm (one half of final grade).