The Psalms are a rich source of preaching material. This book is designed to help preachers find and use the riches of the Psalms for preaching. The authors address the perception that the Psalms often go neglected in preparing for one of the central acts of worship: preaching. McCann and Howell demonstrate that the Psalms offer the preacher broad, rich possibilities for the congregation’s engagement with the Scripture. Each chapter concludes with a brief sample sermon that clarifies the authors’ points regarding the Psalms as a source for Christian preaching.
In recent years the church has rediscovered the Psalter as a source of inspiration and language for the praise of God in worship. Yet, in spite of this fact, the Psalms are often neglected in preparing for one of the central acts of worship: preaching. Even among those whose preaching follows the lectionary--with its weekly visit to the Psalter--many preachers assume that other texts will lend themselves better to the task of preaching. J. Clinton McCann and James C. Howell propose to address this perception by demonstrating that the Psalms offer the preacher broad and rich possibilities for the congregation's engagement with Scripture in preaching. The book includes several sample sermons that will further clarify the authors' points regarding the Psalms as a source for Christian preaching.
"The Psalms, in their very phrasing and imagery, touch close to the extremities of human life, in all the negative seasons of hurt and absence and in all the elations of joy and well-being. For all that, however, the Psalms are notoriously difficult material for preaching. Here is a trustworthy and richly suggestive guide for a movement from the wonder of poetry to the concreteness of a sermon. This book reflects long pondering of the Psalter, pastoral engagement with how the world is, and imaginative freedom of expression. The book is sure to move the homiletical juices in fresh and responsible ways." -- Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Part I: Preaching the Psalms - Why?
An Invitation
A Great Tradition of Preaching
A View of Scripture
Part II: Preaching the Psalms: How?
The Exploration of Imagery
The Dynamics of Movement
Part III: Preaching the Psalms: What?
The Pursuit of Happiness
The Problem of Pain
The Cause for Celebration
Appendix
Notes
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