Invitation to the Psalms, 2nd Edition

The book of Psalms is perhaps the most cherished book in the Old Testament. In this lively volume, two experienced teachers invite us to read and explore the Psalter and roam widely among its poems.

Invitation to the Psalms introduces the dynamics of the biblical text, helping students of the Bible become careful and attentive readers. This clear and concise guide covers how to read Hebrew poetry, the Psalter's basic genres, the idea of "the psalmist," the metaphorical world of the Psalms, and the theology of the Psalms. It gives readers confidence to explore the Psalms on their own and could readily be used in the first weeks of class to orient students to the Psalms.

The second edition of this popular textbook, now updated and expanded, adds a chapter on the shape and shaping of the Psalter and sidebars that highlight the use of the Psalms in popular culture. Discussion questions are also included.

Introduction
1. Why Is My Bible Repeating Itself? Learning to Understand Hebrew Poetry
2. What Is a Psalm? Learning to Understand Different Psalm Genres--Part 1
3. What Is a Psalm? Learning to Understand Different Psalm Genres--Part 2
4. What Is a Psalmist? Learning to Understand the Voice and Life Situations of the Psalms
5. Is God a Rock, a Light, or a Shepherd? Learning to Understand Metaphors, Imagery, and Symbolism in the Psalms
6. "Who Is the King of Glory?" Learning to Understand the Theology of the Psalms
7. Why Are the Psalms in This Order? Learning to Interpret Psalms within the Context of the Book of Psalms
Indexes