Summer 2013/Pasadena
OT507
Smoak
OT507: OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: PSALMS. Jeremy D. Smoak.
DESCRIPTION: This course is a study of the Psalms in Hebrew. Particular attention will be devoted to examining the different types of Psalms, including laments, royal Psalms, thanksgiving Psalms, etc, as well as their structure, setting, and canonical significance. The course will also give considerable attention to considering how translation from the Hebrew aids an understanding of the theological message of the Psalms.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who satisfactorily complete the course will have shown that they (1) have applied their earlier Hebrew language studies to specific Psalms; (2) have developed exegetical skills in interpreting Psalms; (3) have gained an understanding of how the Psalms relate to specific historical religious settings in ancient Israel and early Judaism; (4) have gained an understanding of the different literary features of the Psalms and of how these features relate to other texts and ideas in the biblical canon; (5) have considered how to apply the Psalms to different aspects of ministry in the church.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The development of exegetical skills allows ministers in the church to gain a better understanding of the theology of the Psalms. This course will help students gain competence in the interpretation of the Psalms so that the theology of the Psalms may be applied to different ministries in the church.
COURSE FORMAT: This class is a five-week course, meeting for four-hour sessions, twice a week. Class sessions will be devoted to a combination of lecture presentation and structured class discussions.
REQUIRED READING:
Brueggemann, Walter. The Psalms and the Life of Faith. Augsburg. Fortress, 1995. ISBN: 978-0800627331, Pub. Price $22.00 [200 pp. assigned].
Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph, eds. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1990. ISBN: 978-3438052223, Pub. Price $39.99.
Mays, J.L. Psalms: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Westminster: John Knox, 2011. ISBN: 978-0804231152, Pub. Price $ 34.95 [300 pp. assigned].
Sarna, N. On the Book of Psalms: Exploring the Prayers of Ancient Israel. New York: Schocken, 1995. ISBN 978-0805210231, Pub. Price $18.00 [300 pp. assigned].
Other readings in commentaries on reserve and in reference section of library.
See the Biblical Division bibliography “Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program” available in the SOT Academic Advising office.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Basic study of the text, including the reading of a commentary, should precede class work, which will contribute 20% toward the course grade. Each student will submit a journal of their preparation that demonstrates that they have translated the Hebrew of each assigned Psalm. Further reading of commentaries will be necessary.
An exegetical paper will also be required, which will contribute 30%.
A midterm examination will be worth 20%,
and a final examination will contribute 30%.
PREREQUISITES: LG502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament “c” (OTCE) and MA program requirements for Old Testament book study (OTBK).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.