Encountering the Book of Psalms: A Literary and Theological Introduction

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Jun 2003 by Lee, J W

Encountering the Book of Psalms: A Literary and Theological Introduction. By C. Hassell Bullock. Encountering Biblical Studies. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001, 266 pp., $24.99.

The Encountering series is designed to provide college-level texts that will be used to cover the material included in a usual Bible major. In addition to the general introductions, books on Genesis, Isaiah, Psalms, John, Romans, and Hebrews are included. Each book is intended to be used in a semester's study.

Hassell Bullock is widely read in his field and frequently quotes from or refers to the position of specific writers, such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Robert Alter, Sigmund Mowinkel, and C. S. Lewis. In sidebars he calls attention to the words of older writers, such as Martin Luther, G. Campbell Morgan, George Adam Smith, John Bunyan, and even an early Scottish paraphrase of Psalm 1.

The work consists of 14 chapters. The author rightly begins with an overview and introduction to the Psalms, taking seriously the superscriptions and delineating the significance of the Hebrew terms that may seem so strange to an ear accustomed primarily to English.

In discussing the significance of mizmor, the author initially makes no mention of the inherent implication of a song sung to the accompaniment of a musical instrument (p. 22). This oversight is significant in light of the fact that some groups reject the use of any musical instruments in worship. Yet Paul referred to such use in his classical description of NT worship as including "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" (Eph 5:19). That seems to imply that instruments were used in NT worship as well as in the OT sanctuary. In a later section, however, Bullock brings out the implication of the use of musical instruments as being inherent in the word (p. 27).

Each chapter begins with a rather thorough outline that serves as an overview of that section. Then a list of objectives sets forth what a student should expect to learn. Each chapter closes with a brief summary of what has been covered, a list of key terms, and a group of study questions that will evaluate what a student has been able to learn.

The author points out that the psalms need to be read from the viewpoint of the writer, the editors, the first readers, the apostles, the literary critic, and the student. He does an especially good job of looking at the psalms as a whole as they were brought together by the editor(s). He gives excellent insights into their arrangement into specific groups and books, pointing out why certain psalms seem to be placed where they are. He calls them "seams of the garment of praise." An example is Psalm 89 with its emphasis upon national crisis followed by Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, which emphasized the confidence that can be found in God's word even in uncertain days.

Hassell Bullock is very much aware of the positions of higher criticism and the impact of rationalism in our society. He quotes many of the higher critics and accurately states their positions, but he gives strong, intellectual reasons to accept the integrity of God's word as we have it. He also brings to bear the impact of Qumran literature on psalmic study.

In dealing with Psalm 22 the author suggests that it had been used by Jesus in his suffering with a sense of defeat and abandonment. I would argue that this approach gives short shrift to the fact that the psalm ultimately closes on a note of victory. When Jesus used it, he was keenly aware of the ultimate victory over death that the psalm embraces. This implies that his quote should be interpreted as a claim to victory and not a cry of despair or loneliness.

The work includes an excellent bibliography, a glossary of helpful terms, and an index, which is broken down to both a subject and Scripture list.

I commend Bullock on a job well done. Scholars and students will find this book to challenge them to deeper study of, and to provide them with a more profound appreciation for, the Psalms. I would recommend that he follow this work with a commentary on each psalm.

J. W. Lee

The Baptist College of Florida, Graceville, FL