Lament Psalm Worksheet
14 November 2005

Psalms are religious song lyrics, either in praise of the activities of Yahweh or in lamentation of various destructive events that plagued the Israelite people. Generally, psalms were sung or performed as part of religious ceremonies, and often were accompanied with instruments and/or actions. One hundred fifty of the psalms are collected in the Book of Psalms in the Hebrew Bible. This collection is divided into five parts and contains numerous types, or forms, of psalms.

Form Criticism of the Psalms:

Form criticism examines several components of each psalm (such as speakers mentioned, verb tenses, systems of organization, grammatical construction, and content) and attempts to assign a particular "form" designation to each based upon what is being expressed and the social context of its original expression.

A. the Formal Structure of Lament Psalms:

Laments comprise the largest category found in the Book of Psalms. There are forty individual lament psalms and at least twelve communal or national lament psalms. These psalms follow a specific pattern:

1. Invocation of God's Name.
2. Description of present need.
3. Prayer for help and deliverance, usually imperative tense.
4. Reasons why God should help the one(s) praying.
5. Vow to offer praise or sacrifice when the petition is heard.
   1. Between #5 and #6 sometimes an oracle of salvation is present.
   2. Examples of these oracles can be found in Psalms 12:6; 35:3; 60:8-10; 91:14-16.
   3. The person's (or people's) faith in this oracle, perhaps, leads them to thank God for the deed that will be done. Hence, #6.
6. Grateful praise to God. (This is usually in the past tense, as if the aid requested were already granted.)

B. Exercises:

Read Psalm 6

1. To whom is this psalm addressed?
2. Is it written by an individual or a community?
3. What is the person or group requesting?
4. What inspires the request for help?
5. Note the shift in tone (and tense) between verses 7–8. (For translations that number the stage directions as verse 1, this will be verses 8–9.) Why do you think this shift has occurred? Explain.
6. Are any of the components of the lament psalm format missing in this particular psalm? Which one(s)? Explain.

Read Psalm 79

1. Is this psalm communal or individual?
2. Is it a lament psalm? Why or why not?
3. What is requested in this psalm?
4. What does/do the author(s) offer to do if God grants their petition?
5. Is there any evidence that God does this? Explain.

C. Original Lament Psalm

Now, compose your own individual or communal Psalm of Lament, following the form outlined in Part A, above. Ensure that each of the 5–6 parts of a lament are included in your psalm, and include an oracle of salvation if you think it appropriate.

Laments in the Bible cover a wide variety of topics, so you have many options for the focus of your own lament. However—and I would hope this would go without saying but, just in case I am mistaken on that score—the allowable content of your psalm is restricted by the following two criteria:

1. Your complaint does not focus on your inability to commit an immoral or illegal act
2. Your prayer for help and deliverance does not ask God to commit an immoral or illegal act

Basically, if you would be embarrassed to read or perform your psalm in front of your parents or younger siblings, then you probably need to change your topic.

See here for grading protocol for the original lament psalms.

D. Group Lament

As a group, review each student's original lament psalm. Select the lament you like the best (or create a composite) to perform for the class. (NB: Be certain that the lament you select follows the standard lament form.) Plan how you will perform your psalm. E.g., develop the ritual action for your performance of this psalm; acquire any appropriate props, costumes, musical accompaniment, or other materials you will need; and determine what role each of the group members will play.

The class performance of the lament will be videotaped and critiqued by the entire class, including the members of your own group. Group members also will evaluate individual group members and the group process as a whole.