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The Harp of Prophecy: Early Christian Interpretation of the Psalms
The Psalms generated more biblical commentary from early Christians than any other book of the Hebrew and Christian canon. While advances have been made in our understanding of the early Christian preoccupation with this book and the traditions employed to interpret it, no study on the Psalms traditions exists that can serve as a solid academic point of entry into the field. This collection of essays by distinguished patristic and biblical scholars fills this lacuna. It not only introduces readers to the main primary sources but also addresses the unavoidable interpretive issues present in the secondary literature.
The essays in The Harp of Prophecy represent some of the very best scholarly approaches to the study of early Christian exegesis, bringing new interpretations to bear on the work of influential early Christian authorities such as Athanasius, Augustine, and Basil of Caesarea. Subjects that receive detailed study include the dynamics of early Christian political power, gender expressions, and the ancient conversation between Christian, Jewish, and Greek philosophical traditions. The essays and bibliographic materials enable readers to locate and read the early Christian sources for themselves and also serve to introduce the various interdisciplinary methods and perspectives that are currently brought to bear on early Christian psalm exegesis. Students and scholars of theology and biblical studies will be led in new directions of thought and interpretation by these innovative studies.
"A collection of unusually solid and satisfying essays, written with clarity and penetration; a very welcome contribution to a burgeoning area of research." --Rowan Williams, Cambridge University
"This wonderful volume shows us the Psalms as a living and sacred text, forming and nurturing the individual and communal lives of early Christians. Each essay sheds light of a distinct hue on this complex reality until the whole is seen with a clarity not previously apparent. These rich essays explore the techniques of ancient interpretation, the theological underpinnings that allowed the Psalms to be seen as a God-given language for those being incorporated into Christ, and the social contexts that shaped the use and interpretation of the Psalms. Each is excellent; as a whole the collection is a rare gift." -- Lewis Ayres, Durham University
"The editors of this volume have engaged a stellar cast of thoughtful scholars to add to the burgeoning retrieval of Christianity's faithful devotion to the Psalter. The essays herein attest to the Psalter's infinite fecundity to offer personal emotional support under pressured circumstances, a program for progress in the spiritual life, a map for ecclesiastical authority to lead the church, an opportunity to experience 'the whole Christ,' and much more. Each essay will repay the reader's effort tenfold." -- Ellen T. Charry, Margaret W. Harmon Professor of Systematic Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary
"This exceptional collection of essays brings the book of Psalms and its transformative role in early Christian lives into new focus. The distinguished scholars gathered in this volume illustrate how the Psalms animated the liturgical, devotional, and scholarly habits of early Christians. This singular book bequeathed a rich vocabulary to its readers and hearers, new ways of thinking about God and themselves, and ultimately the words with which to address God. The Harp of Prophecy provides a splendid introduction to the ways in which early Christians re-imagined the Psalms." -- Peter Martens, Saint Louis University
The essays in The Harp of Prophecy represent some of the very best scholarly approaches to the study of early Christian exegesis, bringing new interpretations to bear on the work of influential early Christian authorities such as Athanasius, Augustine, and Basil of Caesarea. Subjects that receive detailed study include the dynamics of early Christian political power, gender expressions, and the ancient conversation between Christian, Jewish, and Greek philosophical traditions. The essays and bibliographic materials enable readers to locate and read the early Christian sources for themselves and also serve to introduce the various interdisciplinary methods and perspectives that are currently brought to bear on early Christian psalm exegesis. Students and scholars of theology and biblical studies will be led in new directions of thought and interpretation by these innovative studies.
"A collection of unusually solid and satisfying essays, written with clarity and penetration; a very welcome contribution to a burgeoning area of research." --Rowan Williams, Cambridge University
"This wonderful volume shows us the Psalms as a living and sacred text, forming and nurturing the individual and communal lives of early Christians. Each essay sheds light of a distinct hue on this complex reality until the whole is seen with a clarity not previously apparent. These rich essays explore the techniques of ancient interpretation, the theological underpinnings that allowed the Psalms to be seen as a God-given language for those being incorporated into Christ, and the social contexts that shaped the use and interpretation of the Psalms. Each is excellent; as a whole the collection is a rare gift." -- Lewis Ayres, Durham University
"The editors of this volume have engaged a stellar cast of thoughtful scholars to add to the burgeoning retrieval of Christianity's faithful devotion to the Psalter. The essays herein attest to the Psalter's infinite fecundity to offer personal emotional support under pressured circumstances, a program for progress in the spiritual life, a map for ecclesiastical authority to lead the church, an opportunity to experience 'the whole Christ,' and much more. Each essay will repay the reader's effort tenfold." -- Ellen T. Charry, Margaret W. Harmon Professor of Systematic Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary
"This exceptional collection of essays brings the book of Psalms and its transformative role in early Christian lives into new focus. The distinguished scholars gathered in this volume illustrate how the Psalms animated the liturgical, devotional, and scholarly habits of early Christians. This singular book bequeathed a rich vocabulary to its readers and hearers, new ways of thinking about God and themselves, and ultimately the words with which to address God. The Harp of Prophecy provides a splendid introduction to the ways in which early Christians re-imagined the Psalms." -- Peter Martens, Saint Louis University
- GenresTheology
348 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2014
3 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Brian E. Daley
24 books12 followersBrian Edward Daley, S.J. (born in 1940) is an American Catholic priest and theologian. He is currently the Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame and was the recipient of a Ratzinger Prize for Theology in 2012.
Daley's primary academic field is Patristics, the study of the Fathers of the Church. The Patristic topics on which he has published include Christology, eschatology, Mariology, philanthropy, and scriptural exegesis.
In addition to his academic commitments, Daley is active in ecumenical dialogue and serves as the executive secretary of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation.
Background and education
Daley was born in 1940 in Orange, New Jersey, USA.[citation needed] He attended the Jesuit-run St. Peter's Preparatory School and did his first undergraduate degree at Fordham University, where he received a B.A. in Classics in 1961. Daley was the first Fordham alumnus to receive a Rhodes Scholarship, which he used to read Literae Humaniores (also known as "Greats") at Merton College, Oxford. While there, he was tutored by the philosopher J. R. Lucas. He obtained a B.A. in 1964 and entered the Society of Jesus the same year.
After receiving a Ph.L. at Loyola Seminary (Shrub Oak, New York) in 1966, Daley returned to Oxford and obtained an M.A. in 1967.[6] He was ordained a priest in 1970 and then traveled to Frankfurt, where he studied at the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology and worked as the research assistant of Aloys Grillmeier, S.J. In 1972, he earned a Lic.theol. from Sankt Georgen, after which he returned to Oxford again to pursue a D.Phil. at Campion Hall under the supervision of Henry Chadwick.[8] He defended his thesis, entitled "Leontius of Byzantium: A Critical Edition of his Works, with Prolegomena," in 1978. His examiners were Kallistos Ware and Lionel Wickham.
Professional and ecumenical work
From 1978 to 1996, Daley taught at the Weston School of Theology. In 1996, took a position at the University of Notre Dame, where he is currently the Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology. He was president of the North American Patristics Society from 1997 to 1998.
Daley has long been committed to ecumenical dialogue and was one of the signatories of the 2003 "Princeton Proposal for Christian Unity," which was sponsored by the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology. He is also the current executive secretary for the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation, which is co-sponsored by SCOBA, the USCCB, and the CCCB.
Honors and awards
A Festschrift was published in Daley's honor in 2008.Notable contributors include Lewis Ayres, John Anthony McGuckin, and Rowan Williams.
Daley received the Ratzinger Prize for Theology on October 20, 2012.
At the conferral ceremony, Pope Benedict XVI praised Daley for his ecumenical work with the following words: "Father Daley, through his in-depth study of the Fathers of the Church, has placed himself in the best school for knowing and loving the one and undivided Church, though in the richness of her diverse traditions; for this reason, he also performs a responsible service in relations with the Orthodox Churches." The other recipient of the Ratzinger Prize in 2012 was the French philosopher Rémi Brague.
In 2013, Daley was awarded the Johannes Quasten Medal by the School of Theology and Religious Studies of the Catholic University of America
Daley's primary academic field is Patristics, the study of the Fathers of the Church. The Patristic topics on which he has published include Christology, eschatology, Mariology, philanthropy, and scriptural exegesis.
In addition to his academic commitments, Daley is active in ecumenical dialogue and serves as the executive secretary of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation.
Background and education
Daley was born in 1940 in Orange, New Jersey, USA.[citation needed] He attended the Jesuit-run St. Peter's Preparatory School and did his first undergraduate degree at Fordham University, where he received a B.A. in Classics in 1961. Daley was the first Fordham alumnus to receive a Rhodes Scholarship, which he used to read Literae Humaniores (also known as "Greats") at Merton College, Oxford. While there, he was tutored by the philosopher J. R. Lucas. He obtained a B.A. in 1964 and entered the Society of Jesus the same year.
After receiving a Ph.L. at Loyola Seminary (Shrub Oak, New York) in 1966, Daley returned to Oxford and obtained an M.A. in 1967.[6] He was ordained a priest in 1970 and then traveled to Frankfurt, where he studied at the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology and worked as the research assistant of Aloys Grillmeier, S.J. In 1972, he earned a Lic.theol. from Sankt Georgen, after which he returned to Oxford again to pursue a D.Phil. at Campion Hall under the supervision of Henry Chadwick.[8] He defended his thesis, entitled "Leontius of Byzantium: A Critical Edition of his Works, with Prolegomena," in 1978. His examiners were Kallistos Ware and Lionel Wickham.
Professional and ecumenical work
From 1978 to 1996, Daley taught at the Weston School of Theology. In 1996, took a position at the University of Notre Dame, where he is currently the Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology. He was president of the North American Patristics Society from 1997 to 1998.
Daley has long been committed to ecumenical dialogue and was one of the signatories of the 2003 "Princeton Proposal for Christian Unity," which was sponsored by the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology. He is also the current executive secretary for the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation, which is co-sponsored by SCOBA, the USCCB, and the CCCB.
Honors and awards
A Festschrift was published in Daley's honor in 2008.Notable contributors include Lewis Ayres, John Anthony McGuckin, and Rowan Williams.
Daley received the Ratzinger Prize for Theology on October 20, 2012.
At the conferral ceremony, Pope Benedict XVI praised Daley for his ecumenical work with the following words: "Father Daley, through his in-depth study of the Fathers of the Church, has placed himself in the best school for knowing and loving the one and undivided Church, though in the richness of her diverse traditions; for this reason, he also performs a responsible service in relations with the Orthodox Churches." The other recipient of the Ratzinger Prize in 2012 was the French philosopher Rémi Brague.
In 2013, Daley was awarded the Johannes Quasten Medal by the School of Theology and Religious Studies of the Catholic University of America
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 23, 2024
This book is a great collection of essays on how the ancient Church used and interpreted the Psalms.
The high points to me involved the articles on Athanasius, the several different articles looking at Psalm 45 from different ancient exegetes, and Augustine's understanding of the Psalms from a totus Christus perspective. I enjoyed the article comparing and contrasting the Alexandrian and Antiochene exegetical methods with Psalm 45. There's such a breadth of methodology in the early church! This book is a great starting point for anyone interested in seeing how our ancient brothers used the Psalms.
I skipped the last article because I have no real interest in Maximus at this point in time, but I do plan on jumping back in and reading that at a future date.
The high points to me involved the articles on Athanasius, the several different articles looking at Psalm 45 from different ancient exegetes, and Augustine's understanding of the Psalms from a totus Christus perspective. I enjoyed the article comparing and contrasting the Alexandrian and Antiochene exegetical methods with Psalm 45. There's such a breadth of methodology in the early church! This book is a great starting point for anyone interested in seeing how our ancient brothers used the Psalms.
I skipped the last article because I have no real interest in Maximus at this point in time, but I do plan on jumping back in and reading that at a future date.
September 5, 2017
Good collection of essays on a number of patristic Psalm commentaries, which while not all of universal interest will certainly include at least a few for anyone interested in patristic exegesis or those particular fathers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews