David M. Howard and Andrew J. Schmutzer, eds. <i>Reading the Psalms Theologically</i>

This volume of collected essays contains eighteen essays focused on a “more biblical-theological reading of the Psalms” (p. xix). Each contributor writes with an eye toward helping the reader better experience the theological applicability of this massive biblical book. Readers of this journal would probably all agree that the Psalter speaks to contemporary issues and remains relevant. However, for those questioning this proposition, this collection journeys through multiple issues with the aim of showing the unending theological relevance of the Psalter.The collection begins with a single introductory essay written by the editors. The second section contains five essays concerning reading the Psalter in a canonical way. The third section collects five essays concerned with lament and suffering. Section 4 contains three essays addressing the relationship between the nations and God. The final four essays reflect upon divine presence and sovereignty. The book ends with a bibliography and two indexes.Howard and Schmitzer situate the volume in the world of psalms studies in which the final shape of the book is the primary focus. Their essay is concerned with two major paths, the path of wisdom and the royal/messianic focus. They also address matters such as the canon and Qumran, concerns of skeptics, and a holistic reading of the book. This essay is helpful for those needing a clear understanding of recent directions in Psalms scholarship.The first major section begins with an essay by Peter C. W. Ho in which he makes a case for the “unfurling of the Davidic covenant” as the underlying logic of the macrostructrual design of the book (p. 62). He provides multiple figures as a means of visualizing the structure of the Psalter and how that structure could lead to a consensus of the unity of the book. James M. Hamilton Jr. addresses another direction of reading the Psalter as a unified book about David as the seed of promise. He suggests that the connectedness of the individual psalms presents David as a “type of the one to come” (p. 77). Through the patterns of earlier OT characters, David expects a continuation of those patterns and a fulfillment in his offspring.David Gundersen picks up once again the idea of the function of the seam psalms. Although this has been a standard discussion in Psalms studies for decades, he works toward progressing the idea, especially in relation to a narrative structure with “forward movement” (p. 95). Seth D. Postell in his essay addresses the question of whether there is a divine Messiah presented in the book of Psalms; to answer this, he considers three key psalms (Pss 2, 45, 110). Postell also compares the conflation of the human and divine nature of the messiah figure in the Psalter with that of the book of Daniel.Jill Firth focuses on the suffering servant in Book V (Pss 107–50). Her essay is one of the first that deals with Hebrew lexemes as a means of making the case. Firth makes a very strong case that a “righteous, royal, suffering servant” litters the book, thus making a “suffering David . . . an exemplar” (p. 125).Lament and suffering are the overarching focus in the five essays included in the second major section. C. Hassell Bullock begins the section by addressing the usage of the verb “to forgive” in the Psalter. He suggests that in the Psalter, the verb not only has a metaphorical usage but also, based on Lev 16:22, includes a concept of the suffering of the figure doing the bearing. This essay is interesting and includes insightful ramifications. May Young addresses the art of lament from the book of Lamentations and its implications for understanding the movement from “despair to greater hope” within the Psalter (p. 141). Her essay is noteworthy in the proposal of understanding the artistry of the literary features of lament.Lament and the theology of the cross is the topic of Rolf A. Jacobson’s essay. In this essay, he makes the move toward how an understanding of lament can better inform an understanding of the crucifixion. He is very clear that although the cross is not in the psalms, a particular way of “doing theology” is present in the psalms of lament (p. 156). Philip S. Johnston offers an insightful means of better understanding the concept of death and Sheol in the Psalter. This essay addresses at least ten psalms speaking of Sheol. He helps the reader understand death in both the OT and in the NT. In the final essay, Daniel J. Estes argues that Ps 32 is better classified as a psalm of praise rather than penitence.The third major section contains three essays concerning the nations and the gods in the Psalter. Ryan J. Cook offers an overview of the diversity of the theology of the nations in the book. Jamie A. Grant discusses the role of Ps 87 as one that “celebrates the belonging of Israel’s enemies” (p. 207). His essay is helpful in that he points to the intention of all people being drawn to Zion. Finally, Andrew J. Schmutzer offers a thorough reading of Ps 82, which moves beyond the often-difficult concept of the “gods” to the implications of our seeking of justice and God’s final meting out of his justice.The final major section includes four essays related to God’s presence and sovereignty. J. Clinton McCann Jr. begins the section with an essay in which he makes a case that Pss 93–100 teaches that God’s sovereignty over creation informs us that we are not the rulers. This, in turn, “invites an appreciation of the convergence of theology and ecology” (p. 246). In Jerome Skinner’s essay, he works through seven lexemes found in the Psalter that may refer to the divine sanctum, a place where a theology of God’s glory is revealed. However, the glory within the sanctum is also concerned with “its earthly representation” (p. 269). J. Nathan Clayton takes up the Levitical psalms (Pss 42–50) and addresses the paradox of the three OT stages of the Levites in relation to the presence of God. The final essay by David C. Mitchell focuses on the relationship between Jesus and Melchizedek, especially considering Ps 110. He leaves no stone unturned in coming to his conclusions; yet, he intentionally leaves the reader with more questions to be answered.Overall, this collection is strong and beneficial for the scholar, the pastor, and the layperson. It includes essays that address standard ideas in the field, new and insightful progress, helpful biblical theology topics, and even some imaginative exegetical and theological moves. I would recommend this volume for those who wish to keep up with the most recent Psalms scholarship. Even in places where I disagree, all the contributors have provided food for thought.