Unit 7
The Writings II: Songs of Israel (Psalms, Lamentations)

Learning Objectives

After completing Unit 7 you should be able to

1. identify the main genres of song in the Hebrew Scriptures and describe the probable original setting of their use.
2. identify the “five primary literary types” of Psalms and describe the typical elements used in each type.
3. describe the cultic practices of ancient Israel that are reflected in the songs of Israel.
4. describe and discuss the central theme of Lamentations.

Introduction

This unit focuses on the songs of ancient Israel found in the books of Psalms and Lamentations. Psalms is a collection of poetry used in Israelite worship to mark important occasions in the life of the nation and of individuals. We will learn how scholars have analyzed and categorized the psalms and discuss the situations in which they may have been used. Lamentations is a poetic exploration of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and its consequences. Lamentations raises again the important issue of theodicy in the Hebrew Bible, that is, how the attributes of justice and holiness can be attributed to God in light of the existence of evil and human suffering.