|
‹‹ Return
|
Psalm, Psalmody, Psalter
Psalm is the name given to the hymns of the OT. The psalms are found in the Psalter, a collection of songs, prayers, and other types of poetic compositions. The Book of Psalms has traditionally been attributed to David because he seems to have composed hymns. Some hymns of ancient Israel were certainly composed before David, such as the brief Song of Miriam (Ex 15:21). The dates of the various hymns of the Psalter are usually impossible to determine, but they come from virtually every period of Israel's history. They were finally compiled for use in the Second Temple, which was completed c. 515 B.C. This hymnal of the Second Temple was divided into five parts (1-41; 42-72; 73-89; 90-106; 107-150), presumably following the fivefold division of the Pentateuch. The psalms were composed for both individual and community use. Psalms would have been used in various liturgical settings. The most common literary types of psalms were the hymn, the thanksgiving and the lament. Some can be related to specific festivals, such as Covenant Renewal (81) or Royal-Zion (132). Others call for reflection on the Torah, e.g. Pss. 1, 119. The psalms of the OT have been used through the centuries in both Jewish and Christian worship. This has given rise to psalmody, i.e., the art of singing the psalms. The Psalter is included in the BCP (pp. 585-808). The Prayer Book lectionaries appoint a selection from the Psalter for all services of the eucharist and the Daily Office.
|
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from "An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians," Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors. |
 Click here to order... |
|
|
|
