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Psalms

Discover the depth of the Book of Psalms, the most beloved and complex book of the Old Testament, in this course. Dr. Waltke guides you through five proven approaches to understand and meditate on each Psalm.
Number of lessons: 27
Total length: 28 hours and 20 minutes
Format: Video and Audio
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About This Class

The book of Psalms is considered by some to be the most popular book of the Old Testament. It is also the Bible's longest and, in some ways, most complex book, containing a collection of religious Hebrew poetry written over several centuries.

This course aims to edify you by teaching you to better read, understand and meditate authentically on each of the Psalms individually, and the book as a whole. Dr. Waltke is convinced that "what" a text means cannot be understood until it is known "how" it means. This course introduces you to five approaches that have proven helpful in guiding you to understand "how" the Psalms mean what they say, and then Dr. Waltke applies each of these approaches in exegeting and reflecting on specific Psalms. 

You can view the notes that Dr. Waltke uses in the class by clicking on Outline Notes under Class Resources. You can do the same with the Psalms Passages. Dr. Waltke summarizes at the end of Lecture 1, but does not lecture in detail on the points in the outline, "2. Hermeneutics: Spiritual Approach," and "3. Historical Approach." We kept this information in the notes so you can better understand how Dr. Waltke uses these approaches in exegeting specific Psalms. 

 

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About the Professor

Bruce Waltke

Bruce Waltke, born in 1930, holds a Th.D. in Greek and New Testament (Dallas Theological Seminary) and a Ph.D. in Ancient Near Eastern Languages (Harvard). He has taught at prestigious seminaries, co-authored key biblical texts, and is professor emeritus at Regent and Knox.

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Bruce Waltke

Lessons

  • 1. Introduction to Psalms

    Dr. Waltke summarizes the different approaches to studying the Psalms. By understanding "how" it means, you will understand more clearly "what" it means. 

  • 2. Psalm 1

    Exegesis and exposition of Psalm 1

  • 3. Psalm 4 (Part 1)

    Exegesis and exposition of Psalm 4

  • 4. Psalm 4 (Part 2) & Psalm 23

    This is a review of the exegesis and exposition of Psalm 4, followed by a study of Hebrew Poetry and Psalm 23.

  • 5. Form Critical Approach

    Knowing that there are different types of literature in the Psalms helps you interpret each Psalm more accurately. Introduction to the Hymns of Praise.

  • 6. Hymns of Praise (part 1)

    Some elements of the hymns of praise are the call to praise, the cause for praise and fervent praise with music.

  • 7. Hymns of Praise (part 2)

    We learn theology from the praise of God's people. God has both communicable and incommunicable attributes. It is incomprehensible that the laws of nature are comprehensible. 

  • 8. Psalm 100

    Exegesis and exposition of Psalm 100. Also some introductory remarks and a summary of Genesis 1. 

  • 9. Psalm 8

    We learn theology from the people of God celebrating the attributes of the God of history. 

  • 10. Grateful Songs of Praise and Psalm 92
    Dr. Bruce Waltke's lesson on Psalm 92 emphasizes gratitude for God's righteousness and faithfulness with the unique use of musical instruments. The psalm is divided into two parts, expressing gratitude and celebrating God's triumph over evil. It serves as a reminder of God's goodness and the importance of incorporating music into worship, with the Sabbath as a time for rest and reflection.
  • 11. Petition Psalms

    There are three common sub-motifs in the petition psalms.

  • 12. Imprecatory Psalms

    The theme of imprecatory psalms is petitioning God for deliverance from distress. Some also pray that God will uphold justice by punishing the enemy. 

  • 13. Psalm 3

    Exegesis and exposition of Psalm 3. This is the first lament psalm.

  • 14. Psalm 22

    Exegesis and exposition of Psalm 22. Summary of Elohistic psalms. 

  • 15. Psalm 51

    Exegesis and exposition of Psalm 51. The theme of Psalm 51 is the petition for forgiveness of sin. 

  • 16. Psalm 44

    Exegesis and exposition of Psalm 44.

  • 17. Psalm 91 and Psalm 139

    Exegesis and exposition of Psalm 91 and Psalm 139, which are both examples of psalms of trust. 

  • 18. Liturgical Approach

    The liturgical approach considers the setting of the psalm. 

  • 19. Psalm 73 and Psalm 15

    Exegesis and exposition of Psalm 73 and Psalm 15. Also a further explanation of the importance of the liturgical approach when reading and interpreting the psalms. 

  • 20. Psalm 2

    Exegesis and exposition of psalm 2, a coronation psalm. 

  • 21. Psalm 110

    Exegesis and exposition of Psalm 110, a coronation psalm.

  • 22. Rhetorical Approach

    Introduction to the rhetorical approach.

  • 23. Messianic Approach

    Introduction to the Messianic Approach.

  • 24. Psalm 16

    Exegesis and exposition of Psalm 16.

  • 25. Wisdom Psalms

    Introduction to Wisdom Psalms.

  • 26. Psalm 19

    Exegesis and exposition of Psalm 19.

  • 27. Editorial Approach

    Introduction to the Editorial Approach.

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