In 'Surrendering Retribution in the Psalms', David Firth examines the
ways in which the editors of the Psalms have provided a model of prayer
and the surrender of the right of retribution to Yahweh as the
appropriate way to respond to violence. This breaks fresh ground on the
question of the ways in which the book of Psalms offers instruction.
This instruction is then applied to the context of South Africa where he
was working as a missionary when he wrote the original thesis. In this
way, the continuing missiological significance of these Psalms is also
explored. The imprecatory psalms have been something of a bugbear for
Christians throughout many generations. How are we to read and
understand them? How do we deal with their angry tone? Do they not fall
some way short of a truly Christian ethic? This has led many to
effectively reject these psalms from the canon of Scripture. David
Firth's careful study goes a long way to answering these questions. His
contextual reading of these poems as a response to violence aids our
understanding of both their tone and content. Firth draws his
conclusions from the text of these much maligned psalms and shows that
they are, perhaps, not as radically different from the rest of Scripture
as one might think. I thoroughly commend this first-rate work. --Jamie
Grant, Lecturer in Biblical Studies, Highland Theological College,
Dingwall, Scotland Although violence is an issue permeating the Old
Testament, much research on this topic is still needed. Dr Firth's book
makes an important contribution focusing on violence in the Psalter.
Different groups of the Psalms of the individual are investigated to
determine their attitude to violence. A total of 13 psalms have been
identified and thoroughly investigated, paying attention to form
critical aspects, structure, the nature of and response to violence. The
interesting result this investigation comes to is that physical violence
is imminent and not real, while psychological violence is proved to be
dominant. Another surprising result is that retribution is sought from
Yahweh rather than engaging in acts of personal retribution. Moreover,
even the retribution sought was limited. This book provides a fresh
interpretation of some of the psalms and offers some new reflections on
the use of Gattung and determining the Sitz im Leben and how these form
critical considerations may aid us in the ongoing task of interpreting
the psalms. Highly recommended reading for Old Testament scholars and
pastors interested in the Psalter and the issue of violence in the Old
Testament. --S. D. Snyman, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein,
South Africa David Firth's exegetical endeavors in allowing the Psalms
to speak to us (and for us!) again about surrendering the human
retributive response to violence in favor of a radical trust in God are
so important. --Donald L. Morcom, from the Foreword David G. Firth
studied theology in his native Australia before working as a missionary
with the Australian Baptist Missionary Society. He now resides in
England with his wife and three children.
