Introduction to Psalms: The Genres of the Religious Lyric of Israel

Abstract

Hermann Gunkel's commentary on Psalms (Die Psalmen, HKAT) -- considered by many to be his magnum opus -- was published in 1926. But he was unable to complete his final work on the Psalms. The severe suffering of the final months of his life forced him to hand over his incomplete manuscript, at Christmastime 1931, to his pupil Joachim Begrich. Gunkel died on 11 March 1932. Begrich put the final touches on the organization of Gunkel's last work on Psalms, and it was published in 1933 as Einleitung in die Psalmen: die Gattungen der religiosen Lyrik Israels. As with much of Gunkel's other work, the influence over these 65 years of Einleitung in die Psalmen on the study of the Pslams, Hebrew poetry, and, indeed, the whole realm of Old Testament literature, lyric, and cult, as already noted, can scarcely be overestimated. Yet this genuinely seminal work has remained untranslated until now. So, coincident with its 65th year, Einleitung in die Psalmen is embarking upon a new and vital career of influence in this English-language edition. A worthy addition to the shelves of the Mercer Library of Biblical Studies, it will be welcomed by every serious student of the Psalms and of the life and worship of ancient Israel and her progeny.

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