"While the Psalms are a regular source of our thinking about theology, prayer, and worship, less attention has been given to what they have to say to guide our ethics. That gap has now been filled by Gordon Wenham's careful reading of the Psalter to uncover its various moral voices. An important contribution to both ethics and our insightful reading of the Psalms."  
\--__Patrick D. Miller__, Princeton Theological Seminary  
  
"In Story as Torah Gordon Wenham showed how biblical narrative texts, little used by ethicists, can inform Christian moral teaching. Here he applies the same idea to the Psalms, equally seldom used in building a biblical ethics. He shows the huge potential of the Psalter to shape our moral insight."  
\--__John Barton__, University of Oxford  
  
"As increasing scholarly attention is given to Old Testament ethics, Gordon Wenham has become one of our most reliable guides. He makes such a clear case for the ethical centrality of Israel's Psalter that we wonder how so many before him failed to see the ways in which ethics are shaped by the prayers and liturgies of a worshiping community. We are deeply in his debt."  
\--__Bruce C. Birch__, Wesley Theological Seminary  
  
"Wenham charts a fresh new course in studying the Psalms. He urges us to appropriate the psalms at a deeper level as a means of instruction (Torah), full of doctrine and ethical guidelines for life. This book is a rich delight, and I heartily recommend it to the scholar, pastor, and layperson alike."  
\--__David M. Howard Jr.__, Bethel Seminary  
  
"Wenham embeds the Psalter's ethical impact in the liturgy, explores its particular contribution to ethical formation, and connects its views with the rest of the biblical canon. This is a welcome and wonderfully profound and expansive study of a neglected area in the field of Old Testament ethics."  
\--__M. Daniel Carroll R.__, Denver Seminary  
  
"This richly satisfying book explores the depth and breadth of the book of Psalms in its ethical and formative power for the lives of God's people, individually and as a community in the midst of a fallen world. A model exercise in biblical theology at its very best--illuminating, nourishing, and challenging."  
\--__Christopher J. H. Wright__, Langham Partnership International; author, Old Testament Ethics for the People of God

__Gordon J. Wenham__ (PhD, University of London) is tutor in Old Testament at Trinity College, Bristol, England, and professor emeritus of Old Testament at the University of Gloucestershire. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including Story as Torah and commentaries on Genesis, Leviticus, and Numbers.

The Psalms are the most-read part of the Old Testament, but their importance for ethics has often been overlooked. However, the Psalms offer some of the most potent ethical instruction in the Bible. In this book internationally renowned Old Testament scholar Gordon Wenham examines the source of the Psalms' power, reflects on their main ethical themes, and shows how they function as prayers that change us. Wenham makes an important contribution to biblical scholarship and breaks new ground in discussions of Old Testament ethics, yet he writes accessibly, making this book invaluable for students, scholars, and pastors.

An internationally-renowned Old Testament scholar explores the riches of the Psalms, expounding the ways they shape those who read them.

Introduction  
1\. Jewish and Christian Approaches to the Psalms  
2\. Critical Approaches to the Psalms  
3\. The Psalter as an Anthology to Be Memorized  
4\. The Unique Claims of Prayed Ethics  
5\. The Concept of the Law in the Psalms  
6\. Laws in the Psalter  
7\. Narrative Law in the Psalter  
8\. Virtues and Vices in the Psalter  
9\. Appeals for Divine Intervention  
10\. The Ethic of the Psalms and the New Testament  
Conclusion  
Indexes

\["For students and pastors seeking deeper biblical insights", "Uncovers ethical lessons often missed in the Psalms", "You will gain fresh understanding of prayer and ethics"\]

Psalms as Torah explores the ethical teachings found in the Psalms.

Wenham, Gordon J.

Cover

Series Page

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Series Preface

Author Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

1 Jewish and Christian Approaches to the Psalms

2 Critical Approaches to the Psalms

3 The Psalter as an Anthology to Be Memorized

4 The Unique Claims of Prayed Ethics

5 The Concept of the Law in the Psalms

6 Laws in the Psalter

7 Narrative Law in the Psalter

8 Virtues and Vices in the Psalter

9 Appeals for Divine Intervention

10 The Ethic of the Psalms and the New Testament

Conclusion

Selected Bibliography

Scripture Index

Author Index

Subject Index

Notes

Back Cover

"Psalms as Torah" by Gordon Wenham explores the ethical teachings within the Psalms, highlighting their transformative power. Ideal for students, scholars, and pastors.

\["For scholars, pastors, and students in Old Testament\\/ethics courses.","Reveals overlooked ethical wisdom in the Psalms, shaping biblical understanding.","Transforms Psalms into potent ethical guides, enriching theological insight."\]

Introduction

1\. Jewish and Christian Approaches to the Psalms

2\. Critical Approaches to the Psalms

3\. The Psalter as an Anthology to Be Memorized

4\. The Unique Claims of Prayed Ethics

5\. The Concept of the Law in the Psalms

6\. Laws in the Psalter

7\. Narrative Law in the Psalter

8\. Virtues and Vices in the Psalter

9\. Appeals for Divine Intervention

10\. The Ethic of the Psalms and the New Testament

Conclusion

Indexes

Unlock the ethical power of Psalms with scholar Gordon Wenham's accessible guide—essential for students, pastors, and scholars seeking profound biblical wisdom.

The Good Book Stall

Gordon Wenham writes 'I follow those who see the Psalter as a second law, the law of David to be meditated upon like the law of Moses, the Pentateuch.' (p. 205). Professor Wenham recognises that understanding such an approach is in its early stages, but he makes a convincing argument. Why should ethical behaviour outlined in the Psalms have such an influence? Because, 'To pray a psalm is to address both God and fellow worshipers...Liturgy does not simply invite assent; it demands it.' (Ibid.). The psalms / prayers shape the ethics of the community and are 'Torah' ('law') because they are means by which instruction is given. It is no coincidence that the Psalter, like the Pentateuch, is divided into five 'books'.  
After the 'Series' and 'Author' Prefaces, and an 'Introduction', the first four chapters look at the general background of the Psalter, while the following five outline the ethics implied or taught by the psalms. The final chapter examines how the writers of the New Testament use the psalms to define a 'Christian ethic'. Notes are included in the text; there is a 'Selected Bibliography' as well as 'Scripture', 'Author' and 'Subject' Indexes.  
While this is an 'academic' book, the author's style makes it a gentle and compelling read. Even if one simply uses the relevant Index, one gains greater understanding of the psalms, so making 'praying the psalms' a richer experience, especially for those who celebrate any of the daily Offices of the Church.

Psalms As Torah

Psalms as Torah (Studies in Theological Interpretation) [eBook]

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Psalms as Torah (Studies in Theological Interpretation) [eBook]

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