Living Theology inthe Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Volume 8, Number 3
Fall 2003
Reclaiming Lament
Book Review: Spirituality of the Psalms
by Walter Brueggemann
Minneapolis: Fortress,2002. 75 pp. $6.00
Reviewed/excerpted byJoyce M. Bowers
WalterBrueggemann is the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament atColumbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia. He is a prolific author; many of his books have been published byFortress Press, notably Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute,Advocacy (1997) and The Prophetic Imagination, 2
Brueggemann’sclassic The Message of the Psalms (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1984) has beenwidely recommended. An abridgedversion, Spirituality of the Psalms, was published in 2002 by Fortressas part of the Facets series, described as “brief, brilliant treatments ofvital aspects of faith and life” – an accurate description at least in thiscase. Its small size and modest pricemake it attractive for busy pastors, despite its uninviting cover art.
Brueggemann draws on the work of numerous scholarsof the Psalms, but combines that with pastoral concerns, resulting in
... a postcritical interpretation that lets thedevotional and scholarly traditions support, inform, and correct each other, sothat the formal gains of scholarly methods may enhance and strengthen, as wellas criticize, the substance of genuine piety in its handling of thePsalms. (p. 3)
• Psalmsof Orientation (songs of guaranteed creation)
• Psalmsof Disorientation (songs of disarray)
• Psalmsof New Orientation (songs of surprising new life)
The life of faith expressed in the Psalms is focused onthe two decisive moves of faith that are always underway, by which we areregularly surprised and which we regularly resist. One move is out of a settled orientation into a season ofdisorientation.... The movement of dismantling includes a rush of negativities,including rage, resentment, guilt, shame, isolation, despair, hatred andhostility. It is that move thatcharacterizes much of the Psalms in the form of complaint and lament....
The other move we make is a move from a context ofdisorientation to a new orientation, surprised by a new gift from God, a newcoherence made present to us just when we thought all was lost.... This move ofdeparture to new life includes a rush of positive responses, including delight,amazement, wonder, awe, gratitude, and thanksgiving. (p. 11)
The theological dimension of this proposal is toprovide a connection among:
• focalmoments of Christian faith (crucifixion and resurrection),
• decisiveinclinations of Israelite piety (suffering and hope), psalmic expressions thatare most recurrent (complaint and praise) and
• seasons in our own life of dying and being raised. (p. 13)
Thus, deep loss and amazing gift are held togetherin a powerful tension. (p. xi)
Brueggemannis strongly critical of a Christian piety which focuses only on positiveaspects of faith and thus Psalms of praise. He fully appreciates the importance of praise and thanksgiving, but inkeeping with this issue’s theme of lament, we focus here on his treatment oflament psalms, or “psalms of disorientation.”
The psalms of negativity, thecomplaints of various kinds, the cries for vengeance and profound penitence arefoundational to a life of faith.... Much Christian piety and spirituality is romantic and unreal in its positiveness...seeking to go from strength to strength, from victory to victory.
It is a curious fact that thechurch has, by and large, continued to sing songs of orientation in a world increasinglyexperienced as disoriented.... The reason for such relentless affirmation oforientation seems to come, not from faith, but from the wishful optimism of ourculture. (p. 25 - 26)
The use of “psalms of darkness” may be judged to beacts of unfaith and failure, but for the trusting community, their use is anact of bold faith, albeit a transformed faith... These psalms make theimportant connection: everything must be brought to speech, and everythingbrought to speech must be addressed to God, who is the final reference for allof life.... Such a faith is indeed atransformed faith... in a very different God, one who is present in,participating in, and attentive to the darkness, weakness, and displacement oflife. (p. 27)
Thisreviewer highly recommends that readers pursue Brueggemann’s work on thePsalms, especially since it has been so conveniently “packaged” in this smallvolume.
Member, Grace, Mt. Prospect