The Genres of the Psalms
Outline of “The Genres of the Psalms,” from Tremper Longman III,
How to Read the Psalms (IVP, 1988), 19-36.
The first and key question to ask when interpreting a passage of Scripture is: what type of literature are you reading, or what is its genre? Genre “refers to a group of texts similar in their mood, content, structure or phraseology” (20). In fact, “our interpretation of a text is to a great extent determined by our identification of its genre” (21).
Genre identification “determines the reading strategy of a particular text” (21). In other words, once you have identified the correct genre of a piece of literature you now know the right questions to ask of the text and what to look for in your interpretation.
There are many ways to define the genres of the psalms and we must be flexible in applying a particular genre to a particular psalm because many psalms may have characteristics of several genres within one psalm. Please read carefully through the “Suggestions for Psalm Study” at the end of the paper.
Tremper Longman has identified seven basic genres in the Psalms: hymn, lament, thanksgiving psalm, the psalm of remembrance, the psalm of confidence, the wisdom psalm, and the kingship psalm.
The Genres of the Psalms
1. The Hymn -- Hymns are known for their exuberant praise of the Lord (Ps. 103:1-2).
The basic structure of the hymn will include the following:
1.
A Call to Worship (113:2 – Hallelu Yah “Praise the Lord”; 92:1)
A Call to Worship (113:2 – Hallelu Yah “Praise the Lord”; 92:1)2.They expand on the reasons why God should be praised. The reasons for praise form the most significant part of the psalm. Look for textual markers such as “for” or “because” which will make the transition from the call to the reasons of praise (92:1,4; 96:1,5). Sometimes the psalmists will focus on the basis of the reason for praise (i.e. Creator – 19:1-4; King – 47:5-6). Sometimes, as in the “Zion Songs” the place of Zion will be praised because God has caused His presence to dwell there (48:1-2).
They expand on the reasons why God should be praised. The reasons for praise form the most significant part of the psalm. Look for textual markers such as “for” or “because” which will make the transition from the call to the reasons of praise (92:1,4; 96:1,5). Sometimes the psalmists will focus on the basis of the reason for praise (i.e. Creator – 19:1-4; King – 47:5-6). Sometimes, as in the “Zion Songs” the place of Zion will be praised because God has caused His presence to dwell there (48:1-2).3.Finally, they will often end with a renewed call to praise.
Finally, they will often end with a renewed call to praise.2. The Lament – The Lament is the polar opposite of the hymn on the emotional spectrum. Note the mood of the psalm (22:1-2). The psalmist cries out to God in great distress because he has nowhere else to turn.
One of the difficult issues in interpreting the laments, as well as other genres, is to identify the enemies (or specific historical situation). Dr. Longman argues that in most cases the references are intentionally vague “so that they can be used in a variety of situations.
The basic structure of the laments:
1.Invocation
Invocation2.Plea to God for help – the invocation and plea to God begins the lament because there is no one else the psalmist can turn to but God himself (12:1; 17:1).
Plea to God for help – the invocation and plea to God begins the lament because there is no one else the psalmist can turn to but God himself (12:1; 17:1).3.Complaints – the focal point of the lament because here we learn what motivated the psalmist to turn to God in prayer.
Complaints – the focal point of the lament because here we learn what motivated the psalmist to turn to God in prayer.a.The psalmists may be troubled by his own thoughts and actions (42:5, 11; 43:5).
The psalmists may be troubled by his own thoughts and actions (42:5, 11; 43:5).b.He may complain about the actions of others against him (“the enemies”) (42:3; 22:6-7).
He may complain about the actions of others against him (“the enemies”) (42:3; 22:6-7).c.He may be frustrated by God himself (42:9).
He may be frustrated by God himself (42:9).4.Confession of sin (69:5) or an assertion of innocence (26:5)
Confession of sin (69:5) or an assertion of innocence (26:5)5.Curse of enemies (imprecation) (109:8-9)
Curse of enemies (imprecation) (109:8-9)6.Confidence in God’s response – there is a turn in the psalm when the psalmist expresses his trust in God (54:5)
Confidence in God’s response – there is a turn in the psalm when the psalmist expresses his trust in God (54:5)7.Hymn or blessing – As the psalmist realizes what God can and will do for him, it leads him to praise God (26:12).
Hymn or blessing – As the psalmist realizes what God can and will do for him, it leads him to praise God (26:12).You most likely will not find ever element in ever Psalm of Lament but a number of these elements will be present in each lament.
3. The Thanksgiving Psalms – often found within laments as either a promise that if God will hear him then the psalmist will thank God (56:12) or when God does act the psalmist offers thanks to God. The thanksgiving psalm is a response to answered lament. A thanksgiving psalm is praise to God (like the Hymn) for answered prayer.
The basic structure of the thanksgiving psalm:
1.It begins in a similar way to a hymn of praise (34:1; 32:1) and may call the whole congregation to join him (30:4).
It begins in a similar way to a hymn of praise (34:1; 32:1) and may call the whole congregation to join him (30:4). 2.The thanksgiving is most easily identified by a restatement of the lament which is now answered (18:5-6).
The thanksgiving is most easily identified by a restatement of the lament which is now answered (18:5-6).3.An account of God’s salvation will follow.
An account of God’s salvation will follow.4.The remainder of the thanksgiving continues to praise the Lord and to call on others to praise him.
The remainder of the thanksgiving continues to praise the Lord and to call on others to praise him.4. Psalms of Confidence – when the psalmist’s feelings of trust (in God’s goodness and power) dominate the whole psalm then we call them psalms of confidence (11, 16, 23, 27, 62, 91, 121, 125, 131 – there are basically 9 of them). The psalmist asserts his trust in God though enemies or some other threat is present (11:2; 23:5). Under such conditions, he is able to be at peace because his God is with him (11:4; 23:4). God is the psalmist’s refuge (11:1; 16:1), shepherd (23:1), light (27:1), rock (62:2), and help (121:2). See 131:2.
5. Psalms of Remembrance – sometimes psalms make reference to the great mighty acts of God in redemptive history, most often: the Exodus, which could be called the paradigm salvation event of the Old Testament (77:16); and the establishment of the Davidic dynasty through covenant (89, 132). In these psalms, God’s past acts of redemption are the focus of attention (78, 105, 106, 135, 136). God’s wonderful acts (105:2) are recounted sot that Israel might praise him (105:1). Ps. 136 is unique in its use of a recurrent refrain, “His love endures forever.” Ps. 78 uses the acts of redemptive history to instruct future generations how to act (v. 7).
6. Wisdom Psalms – gives us concrete ways how God wants us to live our lives. Wisdom psalms emphasize a contrast in ways of living which bring about different consequences (1, 19, 119 – 73, 45).
7. Kingship Psalms – There are psalms which focus on the human king of Israel (20, 21, 45) – some times the king will simply refer to himself as “I” and therefore you may not readily see that it is a psalm of the king. There are also psalms that proclaim that God is king (47:7). But these two groups are tightly related because the earthly king was God’s reflection on earth.
Suggestions for Psalm Study
1.Consciously make a decision about the genre of a passage of Scripture as you read it.
Consciously make a decision about the genre of a passage of Scripture as you read it.2.Be flexible in your understanding of a text’s genre. More than one category may be applicable (Ps. 45 is a kingship psalm, wisdom psalm and hymn. Ps. 78 is a psalm of remembrance and a wisdom psalm.).
Be flexible in your understanding of a text’s genre. More than one category may be applicable (Ps. 45 is a kingship psalm, wisdom psalm and hymn. Ps. 78 is a psalm of remembrance and a wisdom psalm.). 3.While reading a hymn, look for the word for or because. Here we usually can find the reasons for praise.
While reading a hymn, look for the word for or because. Here we usually can find the reasons for praise.4.As you study a hymn, list the psalmist’s reasons for praise.
As you study a hymn, list the psalmist’s reasons for praise.5.In a lament, identify the object of the psalmist’s complaint. Does he focus on himself, his enemies, or God?
In a lament, identify the object of the psalmist’s complaint. Does he focus on himself, his enemies, or God?6.Examine the structure of a lament for the presence of the seven “building blocks” (invocation, plea, complaint, expression of confidence, confession of sin or assertion of innocence, imprecation, hymn or blessing) which often occur in laments.
Examine the structure of a lament for the presence of the seven “building blocks” (invocation, plea, complaint, expression of confidence, confession of sin or assertion of innocence, imprecation, hymn or blessing) which often occur in laments.7.Study a lament carefully to determine whether it is the cry of an individual or the community.
Study a lament carefully to determine whether it is the cry of an individual or the community.8.Once you’ve identified a thanksgiving psalm, try to understand the prayer (usually a quoted lament) which has been answered.
Once you’ve identified a thanksgiving psalm, try to understand the prayer (usually a quoted lament) which has been answered.9.In a psalm of confidence, identify the factors which threaten the psalmist’s well-being.
In a psalm of confidence, identify the factors which threaten the psalmist’s well-being.10.Identify the images of God which the psalmist uses to communicate his confidence in God as he faces trouble.
Identify the images of God which the psalmist uses to communicate his confidence in God as he faces trouble.11.A psalm of remembrance is one in which the mighty acts of God are recounted. As you read a remembrance psalm, list the mighty acts of God and read about these events in the historical books of the Bible.
A psalm of remembrance is one in which the mighty acts of God are recounted. As you read a remembrance psalm, list the mighty acts of God and read about these events in the historical books of the Bible.12.Since there is a strong connection between the wisdom books and Psalms, ask yourself if wisdom themes – like creation order, law, the contrast between the righteous and the wicked – are present in the psalm which you are studying.
Since there is a strong connection between the wisdom books and Psalms, ask yourself if wisdom themes – like creation order, law, the contrast between the righteous and the wicked – are present in the psalm which you are studying.13.Examine a psalm to see if the king is speaking the prayer or is the object of prayer.
Examine a psalm to see if the king is speaking the prayer or is the object of prayer.Exercises
1.Identify the genres of Psalms 34, 55, 85, 95, 135.
Identify the genres of Psalms 34, 55, 85, 95, 135.2.Examine the structure of Psalm 54 closely. What kind of Psalm is it? How can you tell from its structure?
Examine the structure of Psalm 54 closely. What kind of Psalm is it? How can you tell from its structure?3.Not all the psalms fit neatly into a clear category. Read Psalm 40 closely. What genres can you associate it with?
Not all the psalms fit neatly into a clear category. Read Psalm 40 closely. What genres can you associate it with? 