Psalms, Part 2 and Lamentations

Psalms, Part 2, and Lamentations is Volume XV of The Forms of the Old Testament Literature, a series that aims to present a form- critical analysis of every book and each unit in the Hebrew Bible. Fundamentally exegetical, the FOTL volumes examine the structure, genre, setting, and intention of the biblical literature in question. They also study the history behind the form-critical discussion of the material, attempt to bring consistency to the terminology for the genres and formulas of the biblical literature, and expose the exegetical procedures so as to enable students and pastors to engage in their own analysis and interpretation of the Old Testament texts.

This volume completes Erhard Gerstenberger's widely praised discussion of the psalms literature begun in Volume XIV, and includes as well an admirable study of the book of Lamentations. Gerstenberger interprets the different kinds of songs and prayers that comprise the book of Psalms in light of their socio-historical settings and provides a concise formal and structural analysis of each biblical text based on an illuminating comparison with other ancient Near Eastern prayers and hymns. Seeing the biblical writings in relation to the social, cultic, religious, and theological conceptions of Israel's neighoring peoples allows contemporary readers to better grasp the purpose and spiritual meaning of the psalms and Lamentations to the Jewish community that composed them.

Erhard S. Gerstenberger is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Marburg University in Germany. His published works include "Theologies in the Old Testament" and "Yahweh the Patriarch: Ancient Images of God and Feminist Theology".

Knierim is Emeritus Professor of Old Testament, School of Theology at Claremont, and Avery Professor of Religion, Claremont Graduate School, Claremont, California.

Gene M. Tucker is professor of Old Testament emeritus at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Mays, Miller, and Tucker are all past presidents of the Society of Biblical Literature.

Michele Renee Salzman is Professor of History at the University of California, Riverside. She is the author of three books and numerous articles, including On Roman Time: The Codex-Calendar of 354 and the Rhythms of Urban Life in Late Antiquity (1990), The Making of a Christian Aristocracy (2002) and (with Michael Roberts) The First Book of Symmachus' Letters (2011) a translation, introduction and commentary. She is on the editorial board of the American Journal of Archaeology and on the Executive Committee of the American Academy in Rome.