THE RELEVANCE OF THE BIBLICAL PSALMS

Abstract

The Old Testament is the collected faith testimony of ancient Israel, regarded in Judaism and Christianity as scripture by which God's word becomes a reality and a resource to the modern synagogue and Church (Bruce Birch et al, 2005:2). It is broken into three blocks: the Law, Prophets and Writings. The Psalms, which is the object, of this work is the first book in the Writings called Ketuvim. Most of the Writings were written or collected during and after the Exile, i.e. after 550 BCE. However, there are materials especially in the Psalms and Proverbs which date from the Monarchy (1000- 587 BCC). It is certain that virtually the whole collection of the Writings was already put together by 150 BCE, although evidence for the use of Esther is scanty (Willaim Sanford Lasor et al, 1982:19-21). What the books of Ketuvim have in common is they are not sacred history such as is noticeable in the Torah (the Pentateuch) and parts of the prophets (Nevi'im), nor are they accounts of divine revelation such as is found in Nevi'im. They are religious teachings, and they are intended for worship setting. This write up is focused on the Psalms, which Daniel F. Polish (2000:1) states are intended for religious teachings and also for worship. This article intends to present them as a faith testimony of ancient Israel that should be accorded the dignity of the word of God. This is in the hope that it will champion interest in the readers of this article to study them for spiritual, academic and liturgical reasons.