Psalms - Psalm Forms

Psalm Forms

Hermann Gunkel's pioneering form-critical work on the psalms sought to provide a new and meaningful context in which to interpret individual psalms – not by looking at their literary context within the Psalter (which he did not see as significant), but by bringing together psalms of the same genre (Gattung) from throughout the Psalter. The main genres are:

  1. Hymns
  2. Lament/complaint psalms
  3. Royal Psalms
  4. Thanksgiving psalms
  5. Wisdom psalms
  6. Smaller genres and mixed type

Psalm forms or types also include:

  • Songs of Zion – Psalms 48, 76, 84, 87, 122, 134;
  • Historical litanies – Psalms 78, 105, 106, 135, 136;
  • Pilgrim liturgies – Psalms 81, 21;
  • Entrance liturgies – Psalms 15, 24;
  • Judgment liturgies – Psalms 50, 82;
  • Mixed types – 36, 40, 41, 68

Read more about this topic:  Psalms

Famous quotes containing the words psalm and/or forms:

    “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony
    of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”
    —Bible: Hebrew Psalm XIX (l. XIX, 7)

    “Year chases year, decay pursues decay,
    Still drops some joy from with’ring life away;
    New forms arise, and diff’rent views engage,”
    —Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)