As Though We Were Dreaming: A Commentary on the Songs of Ascents for Lent

by Keith Ruckhaus, Randall Heskett (Foreword)

The Eastern Christian liturgical tradition of Lent has long included the chanting of the Songs of Ascents (Pss 120–134) as “entrance songs” of not only the special penance service known as the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, but also of the season of repentance. Ruckhaus’ commentary in As Though We Were Dreaming provides theological insight and exegetical breadth to this group of Psalms. Even more so, Ruckhaus drives the reader to engage the Songs of Ascents and participate in the descent and ascent of meaningful and life-changing repentance.The commentary here does more than just compare the struggle of the ancient Jews reflected in the Songs of Ascents with that of the early Christian community and our own experience. Ruckhaus insists on a “gutteral connection” between the anxiety and hope of reconstituting the people of God after the disaster of the exile and that of the passion of Jesus. “The gospel story is already genetically encoded in the story of Israel.”The liturgical incorporation of the Songs of Ascents in the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts “grounds” the Church’s participation in the Great Story. We don’t borrow the ancient psalms of the Jews’ struggle to reconstitute a kingdom of God; we share in that struggle. “For anyone interested in the overcoming of conventional dichotomies in theology, Ruckhaus’ book is essential reading. With a ‘Brueggemanesque’ postmodern approach, the author refreshingly brings together liturgy and economic justice, critical scholarship and personal experience, Israelite religion and Christian worship, and literary analysis and theological vision. Ruckhaus’ interpretation of the Byzantine Lenten ‘psalms of ascent’ is rooted in both the concreteness of human experience and openness to the real presence of the Other other.”—The Rev’d Chrysostom Frank, Professor St. John Vianney Seminary; Pastor St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, Denver, ColoradoKeith Ruckhaus received his doctorate in Old Testament from the University of South Africa in 2010. He is an active member of the SS Cyril and Methodius Russian Byzantine Catholic community in Denver, Colorado. He authored the book When God Stops Working (2001).

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2013

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

In reading through the Songs of Ascents this month, this book was a great help in understanding the historical, geographical and Biblical context of these Psalms. And the connection of these Psalms with the events described elsewhere in Scripture was of great benefit. These songs have so much more depth of meaning than I realized.

To me, the connection of these songs to liturgy within the church calendar only heightened the importance of understanding these Psalms.

This book is a great companion to any study of these Psalms.