LE3. A278 2012

2012

Wooden, Glenn

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

Theology

Acadia Divinity College

I can begin this thesis with some practical questions. Imagine that a certain Christian is asked to read scripture in church next Sunday. He or she is assigned a particular psalm. Being diligent, he or she goes home to study the psalm in order to understand it and to read it well. Before reaching v. 1, he or she is confronted with some perplexing terms and references in the title. This Christian’s Bible might have some helpful remarks made by the English editors. After that, he or she also finds another “title” that includes strange words like Miktam, or “Do not destroy.” The reader is perplexed: “What do these terms mean? Should I read them out loud with the rest of this psalm on Sunday? Are they inspired, like the text below them? If I fail to understand them, will I fail to understand the psalm?”1 Moreover, that Christian’s pastor might be facing similar questions in his/her sermon preparation. Approaches to the titles of the psalms have varied over the centuries.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:226