Disputed Issues about the Psalms in History and Research

Dear Colleagues,

The Psalms form a central book of the Hebrew Bible and also provide an important cultural heritage of theological poetry. Therefore, modern research has produced many thorough studies on the origin, genres, "Sitz im Leben", language, images of God, liturgical and religious understanding of the Psalms. However, the Psalter not only shows an already complex history of origin, but also has experienced a broad history of interpretation, reception and impact in Judaism and Christianity. In addition, the Psalter served as a prayer book in monasticism and was even used as a school textbook to teach reading and writing.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect different perspectives of pre-modern and modern research on three different research areas (see below). We intend that studies show the different methods and thematic focuses in the collection and interpretation of the Psalms in the history of Judaism and Christianity. It thus builds on research such as that begun in the following volumes: H.W. ATTRIDGE / M.E. FASSLER (Ed.), Psalms in Community. Jewish and Christian Textual, Liturgical, and Artistic Traditions (SBLSymS 25), Atlanta, GA 2003; C. FREVEL (ed.), "Mit meinem Gott überspringe ich eine Mauer". Interreligiöse Horizonte in den Psalmen und Psalmenstudien (HBS 96), Freiburg i.Br. 2020; I. FROHLICH u.a. (Ed.), ‘You Who Live in the Shelter of the Most High (Ps 91:1): The Use of Psalms in Jewish and Christian Traditions’ (Poetik, Exegese und narrative Studien zur jüdischen Literatur und Kunst 16), Göttingen 2021; and E. KOSKENNIEMI / D. WILLGREN DAVAGE (Ed.), David, Messianism, and Eschatology: Ambiguity in the Reception History of the Book of Psalms in Judaism and Christianity, Abo 2020.

We welcome studies on the Hebrew Psalter, the Septuagint and the Latin translations, including commentary literature (like in Qumran, in Midrash Tehillim, by Rabi Raschi, by Christian commentaries in Late Antiquity from Origen onwards up to Cassidorus). This thematic Issue aims to strengthen the perspective on the Psalms as living poetry and to stimulate interdisciplinary and interreligious dialogue on different traditions of interpretation.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following historical and theological topics:

• Controversial historical and cultural contexts of Psalms in past and present;
• Accusation and praise of god—the Psalms as prayer and meditation book;
• Images of God in the Psalms.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors should initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 100–150 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editors, Prof. Dr. Uta Heil ([email protected]) and Dr. Sebastiano Panteghini ([email protected]) and CC the Assistant Editor, Ms. Joyce Xi ([email protected]). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the special issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Uta Heil
Dr. Sebastiano Panteghini
Guest Editors

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• psalms
• exegesis
• reception history
• interreligious dialogue
• Jewish–Christian Relations
• rabbinic literature
• Septuagint
• Vetus Latina
• Gallicanic psalter
• church fathers
• prayer
• liturgy