COURSE SYLLABUSRaabe, Paul R. “Deliberate Ambiguity in the Psalter.” Journal of Biblical Literature 110 (Summer 1991): 213-227.______. Psalm Structures: A Study of Psalms and Refrains. JSOTSS. Sheffield, England: JSOT Press, 1993.ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARYBOT 540 Studies in Poetical Books: PsalmsRoger D. Cotton, Th.D. Summer II 2007e-mail: [email protected] SYLLABUSCOURSE DESCRIPTIONAn exegetical and devotional study of the Psalms with an emphasis on understanding them as Hebrew poetry in their cultural and theological context so that the student will be able to properly principlize and effectively apply these books to their lives as the Word of God and minister them to the church today.OBJECTIVESUpon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:1. Summarize important characteristics of the psalms.2. Recognize and deal with properly the important features of Hebrew poetry as they relate to interpreting the psalms.3. Explain and apply the major themes and concepts expressed in the psalms, including messianic references.4. Preach and minister legitimately and effectively the theological principles underlying any psalm.TEXTBOOKSRequired:Bullock, C. Hassell. Encountering the Book of the Psalms: A Literary and Theological Introduction. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.Cotton, Roger D., ed. B0T 540 Psalms Handouts 2007 (AGTS)The Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version. New York: American Bible Society, 1995.Gaebelein, Frank E., ed. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 5, Psalms – Song of Songs. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991.COURSE OUTLINEMon June 4 Introduction and Psalm 1Tues 5 TURN IN summaries of assigned psalms and differences in the 5 books;discussion of Psalm 21BOT 540 St. in Poetical Books: PsalmsRoger D. CottonPage 2Weds 6 Psalm 8Thurs 7 Ps 16 Fri 8 TURN IN essay on the Messiah in the psalms; discuss Pss 22 and 68Mon 11 Ps 110Tues 12 TURN IN diagram of chosen psalm; discuss Psalm 45Weds 13 Ps 103, praise and worshipThurs 14 Ps 69 and imprecationFri 15 Laments and principles of prayerMon 18 Pss 42, 43, 73, dealing with emotionsTues 19 Ps 23 and trustWeds 20 Ps 119 and wisdom psalmsThurs-Mon 21-25 Ps 19 and various psalms and points of theology and interpretationMon 25 TURN IN sermon series topicsTues-Thurs 26-28 Presentations by studentsFri 29 Essay Final ExamMETHODOLOGYLecture, discussion, readings, essays, and research writing project.COURSE REQUIREMENTSClass attendance is expected: maximum allowable absences is three class periods. Please talk to the professor about any absences.1. Be prepared to discuss the passages assigned for each day including reading them in the CEV, checking other translations, and reading the textbook commentary by VanGemeren and whatever Bullock says on them. As the course proceeds various handouts will be assigned for reading. 2. In the first class you will be assigned five psalms to read and write one sentence summations for the next class and to note any possible differences among the five books of the psalms. Also, read chapters 1-3 in Bullock.3. Turn in on Friday, June 8, a 3-4 page typed essay, double spaced, right margin NOT justified, on the prophetic/messianic understanding of Psalms 2, 16, and 22, by New Testament writers. This essay must explain general principles as well as deal with a few specific points from these three psalms which demonstrate your understanding of how they can be related to Jesus. The reading for it must include the relevant handouts, especially the article by Moo, and two of the best scholarly, theological, commentaries on these three psalms, in addition to the textbook commentary by VanGemeren. The major issue is how did the Old Testament Psalmist understand what he or she wrote in the passages which the New Testament writers say speak of Christ? In what way or ways areBOT 540 St. in Poetical Books: PsalmsRoger D. CottonPage 3these psalms passages prophetic? It may be that each was understood to relate in a different way, thus representing three different understandings of the inspired intent of different prophetic passages. Give your view on this.4. Turn in on Tuesday, June 12, a flow of thought analytical diagram of the psalm chosen for the exegetically researched, application project described below. Instructions will be given in class and the recommended reading is Walter Kaiser, Toward An Exegetical Theology, chapters 4 and 8, on reserve. This is not expected to be your final understanding of the text but will give an opportunity for feedback from the professor before proceeding further with the exegesis. 5. Turn in on Thursday, June 28, or present on a date agreed upon with the professor, as described below, an exegetical research and application project on a psalm of your choice approved by the professor. This is to be a careful, Biblical-theological, study of a psalm with strong application for God’s people today. It does not have to be in the form of a traditional research paper but it must demonstrate good interpretive method utilizing the best scholarly tools, including evidence of the following:A. Understanding the language of the text through comparing translations and doing some word studies, which include at least the use of the Hebrew English Concordance for the NIV or the (New) Englishman’s Hebrew Concordance (coded to Strong’s) for the KJV, or a computer program that searches the Hebrew, and the New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis (NIDOTTE).A. Understanding the significance of the historical and cultural references in the psalm through background studies, including Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, and scholarly, exegetical commentaries.B. Understanding the literary flow of thought and studying the literary devices used by the writer. NOTE: TURN IN a flow of thought diagram (instructions to be explained in class) of your psalm on Tuesday, June 12.C. Understanding the theology intended through analyzing the theological and thematicterms and ideas used in context of the psalms and of the whole Old Testament, and determining the underlying principles intended as the message of the inspired writer. Here again the best commentaries should be consulted (the * ones in the bibliography below are required and choose 2 additional ones), as well as Old Testament