Interpreting The Psalms by Mark D. Futato
Below I have posted a brief summary and review of a short book I recently read as I was reviewing literature that teaches the Psalms. I found this book helpful as a quick and basic summary of much of the current scholarship on the book of Psalms. Not only does this book hit the highlights of Psalms scholarship but focuses on the preaching of the Psalms. If you are a preacher of the word or just a lay person that wants to know more about the Psalms I highly recommend this book. Here is my brief summary and review. I hope you find it helpful.
Futato, Mark D. Interpreting the Psalms: An Exegetical Handbook. Handbooks for Old Testament Exegesis, Edited by Jr. David M. Howard. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2007. $20.99

Chapter
one considers the nature of Old Testament poetry and particularly the poetry of
the Psalms. Futato defines Hebrew poetry as, “…a type of literature that
communicates with terse lines employing parallelism and imagery in high
frequency” (24). Futato then goes on to explain and show aspects of parallelism
and imagery that occur in Hebrew poetry. Before explaining these key aspects of
Hebrew poetry, Futato gives a great introduction to the parts and pieces of Hebrew
poetry including: the line, colon (and variations on), strophe, stanza, as well
as aspects of inclusion. Futato rounds out the chapter discussing different
patterns of poetic organization. Throughout Futato explains the current
developments in the study of Hebrew poetry as well as historical thought. I
found this chapter to be a great quick summary of the basic pieces of Hebrew
poetry as well as an easy reference tool. The book also includes a glossary of
all the terms discussed throughout that is very helpful.
In
chapter two Futato takes a look at the Psalms as a complete book. This is the
largest chapter in the book and probably the most important. Here Futato
discusses what he understands to be the Psalms overarching purpose as “an
instruction manual or ‘guidebook along the path of blessing’” (60). Futato
further expands this purpose to include two focal points: 1) “instruction for
happiness,” 2) and “instruction for holiness” (63). After working through the
purpose of the Psalms, Futato then turns to the over-arching message of the
Psalms. Where the purpose comes from Psalm 1, the message can be seen in Psalm
2 (72). The dominant theme of the book of Psalms for Futato is “the kingship of
God” (72). He examines this theme by working through what it means that “God is
King,” how “our destiny is glory,” and “the eschatological hope that our King
is coming” (72). Futato’s approach to the five books of the Psalms is in line
with the growing consensus of canonical scholarship on the book of Psalms. Books
1-3 follow the Davidic monarchy as it rises and falls (81). Books 4-5 provide
an answer “to the apparent failure of the” Davidic covenant with faith in God’s
eternal reign and hope in the coming Messianic King (81, 86). Futato completes chapter
two by considering several other themes including: the Lord as refuge (96), and
“blessing for the nations” (104). Like chapter one this chapter is a great
summary of current scholarship and thought on the purpose and message of the
Psalter as a book. I highly recommend this chapter to anyone that wants to
easily understand the over-arching message of the Psalms.
Chapters
three and four are similar to chapter one in that they give more technical
information to understand Hebrew poetry. Chapter three considers the historical
setting of the individual psalms as well as aspects of textual criticism. This
chapter also includes a good bibliography for further study of the Psalms and
should be consulted. Chapter four considers the different contexts that can
affect interpretation of the Psalms including: historical, cultural,
theological, and the categorical context (144-145). Futato then discusses in
depth the categories of hymn, lament, thanksgiving, confidence, divine
kingship, wisdom, and the way each speaks about Christ. My biggest critique of
this book comes out of chapter four. I know the aim of the HOTE series is to give
“students basic skills for exegeting and proclaiming…different genres of the
Old Testament” (13), but I don’t think the shift in terminology Futato has made
in this chapter from the traditional term “form” to “category” is helpful. All
of Futato’s categories are basically, with some variation, the forms that came
out of form criticism. I think the aspiring Old Testament student would be
better served if the traditional term of “form” was introduced with a small
mention of its history. Despite this change in terms, Futato’s discussion of
the categories is very good.
In
chapters five and six a turn is made toward preaching. In chapter five Futato
explains the process of producing a sermon from a study of the Psalms including
the use of everything previously mentioned in the book. Much of the information
in this chapter will be familiar to anyone who preaches exegetical sermons
regularly, but the chapter is a very good guide for anyone that wants to grow
in their preaching ability, or just needs a good reminder. I particularly
enjoyed Futato’s discussion on the differences between analytical and topical
approaches to outlining and preaching Psalms as well as his suggestions for the
design of possible sermon series in the Psalms. Chapter six is a full-scale
example of everything Futato has been advocating in his book. He puts all the
pieces together and walks through the thought processes of exegesis and sermon
preparation.
Interpreting
The Psalms is a great introduction to Hebrew poetry and the book of Psalms.
Futato covers all the important aspects of current scholarship as well as
giving pertinent background information. I appreciate that the HOTE series
keeps the preaching of a text in view and helps the reader get from text to
sermon. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand
the book of Psalms as well as to any preacher that needs help in thinking about
how to preach the Psalms. I look forward to reading other books in this series.
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