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  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
The Storied Ethics of the Thanksgiving Psalms

The Storied Ethics of the Thanksgiving Psalms

James, Joshua T.

Paperback

Series: Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies

Bible Studies

ISBN10: 0567686930
ISBN13: 9780567686930
Publisher: Continnuum-3PL
Published: Feb 21 2019
Pages: 176
Weight: 0.56
Height: 0.38 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English

Drawing on research from the field of narrative ethics, The Storied Ethics of the Thanksgiving Psalms argues that story and storytelling function as important instruments in a given community's ethical shaping. While this argument has gained some traction in the field of Old Testament ethics, it has yet to inform an ethical reading of non-narrative texts, such as the Psalter. However, because the thanksgiving psalms are characterized by their inclusion of the worshipper's story, they stand to benefit from the application of a narrative ethical approach.

In the present study, this argument is tested through a close reading of three thanksgivings - Psalms 116, 118, and 138 - each of which clearly demonstrates a didactic concern. Yahweh is presented as one who is worthy of trust, even in the midst of personal disaster. The affirmation of Yahweh's character provides the framework for the community's continued (or renewed) commitment and trust, hope and expectancy. The example provided by the worshipper challenges the audience to pray as they prayed, to trust as they trust, to live with hope as they live with hope. In addition, these psalms, and the stories they retell, invite the audience to tell their story when God answers their prayers, and to do so in public, in corporate worship, for the benefit of the community.

These intended results - prayer, commitment, trust, hope, expectancy, public storytelling and thanksgiving - are not typically pursued in ethical studies, but they are clearly part of the Psalter's

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