46...SINGERS & THEIR SONGS...Part 1: Introduction
                                 Based on the book of Psalms (Ps) (N1)...Read more there

With Psalms we're entering a world of 150 songs intended for singing rather than reading, not even aloud! If you are just 'breaking into' Ps Unless you're very familiar with Psalms An over-all introduction may be in order before we look at a selection of  psalms. We couldn't possibly 'do the lot'! As well as those we know formally as the book of Psalms, there are other examples of psalms in the Hebrew Bible. We've met some of these in earlier books, e.g. in [EX 15]. Some Psalms show influence from earlier times, including Canaanite & other neighbouring sources, as writings from any culture inevitably bear marks of earlier or outside influence.

In the tradition of ancient Hebrew poetry verses are structured not as in English poetry - in rhyme, blank verse, etc. - but using lines as building blocks. Psalms are written mainly in two-part verses, sometimes more. The first introduces the subject matter. This idea is then re-stated differently, developed further, elaborated, contrasted, 'tweaked', etc., in the part-verse that follows. We can usually see these patterns fairly clearly, & may find them helpful in appreciating each psalm as we read it. If I refer to translations that differ from the text you're using, the thrust should still be clear enough. We need to accept though that not even the best English translations can capture all the nuances & subtleties of the original Hebrew. Above all, psalms are intended for devotional use, in a liturgical gathering of one kind or another, or personally. They are essentially different from books concerned with histories of one kind or another we've visited so far, though history is of necessity reflected in what is sung about it!

Despite a once common practice of referring to them as 'Psalms of David' there's no hard evidence David actually wrote any of them, let alone the well-beloved Ps.23! That's not to say he isn't somehow connected with it /them. Truth is, very little is known about who wrote any of them. Some psalms do have introductions, but these can be teasers. Mostly they seem to concern who a psalm was written for, who was to play it, on what instrument, to what tune, or how the music was to be performed! To illustrate this, one word we'll come across from time to time is 'Selah'. The 'best guess' is that it's a musical term meaning 'sing or play more loudly', even, 'let your hair down a bit at this point' or words to that effect! When we move on to the exploration stage, because of the number of psalms we'll only be able to explore one here & one there as we go. Hopefully the choice will reflect the variety of psalm content. Not for information so much as to help us appreciate them better as 'God-songs' (N2). In most cases we'll be able to surmise, if not actually empathise with the singer in their setting, challenge, dilemma, or predicament that gives rise to the psalm. It's no accident that for countless centuries Psalms have featured prominently in the corporate worship of Judaism & most Christian denominations too, & a rota for singing the psalms has long been a foundation of worship in monastic communities of all kinds (N3). Most Pss are very personal in origin. They reflect devotion, praise, thanksgiving, longing, complaining, groaning & griping [cf. EX 17: 1-7], lamenting, anger, bitterness, being vengeful, & a host of other feelings & experiences. They can start at one level & then gravitate - up or down! to others! Some can be so nasty valid questions are raised about their suitability for use 'as-is' either personally or in gatherings for worship in the light of Christian understandings of God revealed in Jesus. If we have a problem with a Ps. like this, most lend themselves to bracketing & omitting the offending parts. (Jumping ahead, Ps.137 begins quite delightfully with a captive in Babylon looking wistfully back to Jerusalem, but then ends quite horribly with vv. 7-9!) It is foolish religion indeed that binds itself to earlier misunderstandings of God that wiser souls have by grace transcended! Next time: 47: Singers & Their Songs...Part 2: Pss 1-

N1) Most versions of Psalms (abbreviated 'Pss' if we're referring to more than one psalm) will suffice, but the better the poetry the better for appreciating! (N2) If you're 'game' to try singing psalms, try fitting them to a popular tune - tweak them to fit if you need to! (Scots Presbyterians long ago produced an effective & lasting version sung to hymn tunes.) Or, type 'simple Anglican chant' into your search engine. (N3) Church lectionaries provide Pss for use each morning & evening of the year for the use of congregations & individuals.  Q: Do we have any sense of poetry & or music 'in our bones'?