Lament Psalm Project
06 November 2009

What are the Psalms?

The Psalms in the Hebrew Bible are poetic lyrics to religious songs, 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 liturgical movements.

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:

1. Enthronement Hymns
2. Psalms of Ascent
3. Entry Liturgy
4. Zion Hymns
5. Individual Laments
6. Individual Thanksgiving
7. Communal or National Laments
8. Communal Thanksgiving; and
9. Royal 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. This classification primarily is based upon what is being expressed in the psalm and the envisioned social-historical 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.
   • Between #5 and #6 sometimes an oracle of salvation is present.
   • Examples of these oracles can be found in Psalms 12:6; 35:3; 60:8-10; 91:14-16.
   • 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 (usually is in the past tense, as if the aid requested had already been granted).

B. Practice

Stop now and complete this practice worksheet to be sure you understand the lament psalm form. Then return to this page to continue with the rest of the lament project.

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 six 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 permissible 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 grandparents, parents, younger siblings, or other relatives, then you probably need to change your topic.

See here for the grading protocol for the original lament psalms.

D. Group Lament

During the class session when your original lament psalm is due, you will be divided into small groups of 3–4 students. Have each student read aloud her/his lament. Discuss the laments after you have heard all of them read aloud, and select the one you like the best. If you like different features of more than one of the laments, you are free instead to create a new lament psalm that incorporates those various features. Whatever your choice, be certain that the lament you select precisely follows the lament form.

During the last week of the term, we will be hosting a Festival of Lamentation during which each group will perform its chosen lament for the class and invited guests. Based on the content of your chosen lament, decide how you will perform your psalm. Develop the ritual action(s) to include in your performance; determine what role each of the group members will play; decide what props, costumes, musical accompaniment, or other materials will be appropriate for your performance; and then decide which group member will acquire or create each of the necessary materials.