The Biblical Psalms in Christian Worship: A Brief Introduction and Guide to Resources

by John D. Witvliet

Overview

In this concise yet comprehensive guide to using and praying the psalms in worship services, John Witvliet first offers summary of key biblical-theological themes related to the practice of worship, and he continues with reflections on every step in the process of preparing to use the psalms in worship, drawing on insights from writings in the history, theology, and pastoral practice of worship, liturgy, and preaching. Including patristic testimonies as "prelude" and both Reformation-era and modern testimonies as two "interludes," the volume also offers a comprehensive list of currently available liturgical and musical resources.

Witvliet offers a first -- a book designed to speak at once to both "traditional " and "contemporary " worship practices. The Biblical Psalms in Christian Worship will appeal to a wide range of readers, including college and seminary students, scholars and teachers, church educators, worship leaders, musicians, and librarians.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467420556
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	01/22/2007
Series:	The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Liturgical Studies (CICW)
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	189
File size:	996 KB

About the Author

John D. Witvliet is director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and teaches theology, worship, music, and congregational studies at Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary. His books include Worship Seeking Understanding: Windows into Chr

Table of Contents

Preface     xiii
Prelude: Patristic Testimonies     3
The Psalms and the Basic Grammar of Christian Worship     11
Personal Address and Dialogic Structure     16
Identifying God's Character through Metaphor and Historical Recitation     17
The Ebb, Flow, and Fittingness of Praise and Petition, Gratitude and Lament     23
Individual and Communal Speech     26
Specificity and Generality in Prayer     28
Emotional Engagement and Range     30
Image and Poetry in Christian Speech     32
Interlude: Reformation-Era Testimonies from Luther and Calvin     37
Praying the Psalms in Christian Worship     45
Choosing a Psalm     49
Liturgical Criteria     49
Homiletical Criteria     56
Pastoral Criteria     61
Choosing a Translation     62
Translations and Paraphrases of the Psalms     66
The Liturgical Placement of a Psalm     67
Framing the Congregation's Mode of Engagement     69
Psalm Types     70
Contemplation or Prayer     72
Christological Framings of Psalm Texts     74
The Psalms in New Testament Context     75
Studying thePsalm     76
Pace     78
Structure     78
Script     80
Poetic Lines     81
Parallelism     82
Realizing the Psalms: Options for Singing or Speaking     85
Solo Reading     86
Choral Reading     87
Responsive or Antiphonal Readings     91
Chant     94
Psalm Tones and Pointed Text     96
Anglican Chant     98
Gelineau Psalmody     99
Plainchant     100
Responsorial Psalmody (or Psalmody with Congregational Refrains or Antiphons)     101
Metrical Psalmody     106
Psalm-Based Solo and Choral Anthems, Organ and Instrumental Music     115
The Psalms in Contemporary and Emerging Worship, Psalm-Based Scripture Songs, and the Psalms in Popular Music Idioms     116
Basis for Improvised Prayer     120
Visual Imagery, Children's Books, Calligraphy     124
Composite Collections of Psalmody     125
Children and Youth in Intergenerational Worship     126
Selecting from among These Methods     129
Finding Sources     130
Pastoral Postscript     131
Postlude Modern Testimonies      135
A Brief Set of Exercises for Classroom Use     143
Some Creative Thinking about Worship Renewal     145
General Bibliography     148
Acknowledgments     158
Permissions     161
Index of Names     163
Index of Subjects     165
Index of Psalms     168

Editorial Reviews

Theology Today
"In a climate of theological specialization and isolation, Witvliet offers an excellent integrative resource that invites joint learning and prayer."

Parish Liturgy
"I would recommend this book highly to parish personnel, from priest to musicians to lectors to liturgy planners. It's clear, well written, and well informed. This book is a true service to the whole Church, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant."

Bryan D. Spinks
— Yale Institute of Sacred Music and Yale Divinity School
"The Psalms are the canonical hymnbook of both synagogue and church, but in much contemporary worship they find little place. John Witvliet gives a robust defense of their spirituality and theological inspiration, and provides sound pastoral advice and useful resources to enable ministers and worship planners to place them at the center of authentic biblical worship."

Dorothy C. Bass
— Valparaiso University
"Worshiping communities that accept John Witvliet's invitation to read, sing, pray, study, and share the Psalms more deliberately will find themselves on a path to deep formation in biblical faith. . . The rich array of helpful resources gathered here will equip worshiping communities to walk that path with attentiveness, creativity, and gratitude. An inspiring and informative book, especially for those who are called to lead congregations into the treasures of the Psalter as pastors, worship leaders, musicians, and educators."

Walter Brueggemann
— Columbia Theological Seminary
"Practical theology of the highest order. Witvliet's work is deeply grounded in good critical study and in the teaching of the church tradition. But his eye is on the congregation where the Psalms take on new life in each fresh rendering, and he stands alongside other practitioners of prayer and praise who move back and forth between text and context. His book is an immensely rich resource for such practice."

J. Michael McMahon
— National Association of Pastoral Musicians
"This book has something for everyone—pastors and musicians, scholars and practitioners, worship specialists and ordinary worshipers. John Witvliet has skillfully synthesized and presented contemporary biblical scholarship on the Psalms, historical material on the liturgical use of the Psalms in various Christian traditions, practical suggestions on using the Psalms in worship in various churches, and a wealth of resources for studying and singing the Psalms."

From the Publisher