Jonathan Edwards and the Psalms: A Redemptive-Historical Vision of Scripture

Throughout church history, the book of Psalms has enjoyed wider use and acclaim than almost any other book of the Bible. Early Christians extolled it for its fullness of Christian doctrine, monks memorized and recited it daily, lay people have prayed its words as their own, and churches have sung from it as their premier hymn book. While the past half century has seen an extraordinary resurgence of interest in the thought of American theologian Jonathan Edwards, including his writings on the Bible, no scholar has yet explored his meditations on the Psalms. David P. Barshinger addresses this gap by providing a close study of his engagement with one of the Bibles most revered books. From his youth to the final days of his presidency at the College of New Jersey, Edwards was a devout student of Scriptureas more than 1,200 extant sermons, theological treatises, and thousands of personal manuscript pages devoted to biblical reflection bear witness. Using some of his writings that have previously received little to no attention, Jonathan Edwards and the Psalms offers insights on his theological engagement with the Psalms in the context of interpretation, worship, and preaching. Barshinger shows that he appropriated the history of redemption as an organizing theological framework within which to engage the Psalms specifically, and the Bible as a whole. This original study greatly advances Edwards scholarship, shedding new and welcome light on the theologians relationship to Scripture.

Table of Contents:
Contents Acknowledgements Abbreviations Note on the Text Introduction 1. The Psalter in Edwards' World 2. God and Scripture 3. Humanity and Sin 4. Christ 5. Spirit and Gospel 6. Christian Piety 7. Church and Eternity Conclusion Appendix: Jonathan Edwards's Sermons on the Psalms Bibliography Index

About the Author :
David P. Barshinger has a PhD in Church History/Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). He has taught as an adjunct professor at Trinity International University and other institutions, and he previously served as Senior Fellow of the Jonathan Edwards Center at TEDS.

Review :
"Barshinger attentively and convincingly carries his thesis throughout this study and offers a symmetrical view of Edwards. His book is an exemplary model for intellectual historians who wish to pursue the pioneering enterprise of constructing histories of exegesis." --Joseph T. Cochran, Fides et Historia "Jonathan Edwards and The Psalms excellently treats Edwards' interpretation of the Psalms, proving its thesis along the way in no uncertain terms...Another virtue of Barshinger's work is its relevance to contemporary discussions...Any serious student of Jonathan Edwards must read this study...I heartily recommend this work for those with the drive to read a dense, academic, and yet fruitful work on Jonathan Edwards and the Psalms."--Books at a Glance "An original work in the best sense of the word, Barshinger's volume is the first to address (in a full-length analysis) Edwards's use of the Psalms in his preaching, pastoral care, and publications. Originating as a doctoral dissertation, the work has been carefully reformatted for a general audience and succeeds admirably in presenting a sympathetic and serviceable treatment of the role of the Psalms in Edwards's life and ministry . While a first-rate historical study in its own right, Barshinger's work is equally valuable for the insights it provides on Edward's use of the Psalms in his interpretation and application of the Scriptures. Pastors and Edwards enthusiasts alike will benefit from this excellent treatment."--The Banner of Truth "This is a wonderful study that is not only intellectually profitable but also exegetically informative. Many pastors and students of Edwards will appreciate this work."--The Gospel Coalition "While studies of Jonathan Edwards continue to be produced at a dizzying rate, most books continue to plow the same ground. Not so David Barshinger's Jonathan Edwards and the Psalms. Focusing on Edwards the exegete and redemptive-historical theologian, Barshinger demonstrates not simply the impact the Psalter made on Edwards personally or on his theological development. He does more: he points Edwards studies in a new direction, namely the fertile fields of Edwards' biblical studies and hermeneutics."--Sean Michael Lucas, Associate Professor of Church History, Reformed Theological Seminary, and author of God's Grand Design: The Theological Vision of Jonathan Edwards "Historically, theologically, and exegetically informed, this in-depth and nuanced study demonstrates persuasively the importance of Edwards' engagement with the Psalter, and its relevance to his exegesis, preaching and worship."--Adriaan C. Neele, Research Scholar, Digital Editor, Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University; Professor of Historical Theology, Jonathan Edwards Centre Africa at the University of the Free State, South Africa "This is the first-fruit of a long-delayed harvest of Edwards' use of Scripture. No other scholar has done such intensive sifting of the American theologian's preaching on any book of the Bible, much less his favorite (the one he cited more than any other). Barshinger has done invaluable service to the academy and church by showing where Edwards followed but also departed from his Reformed predecessors and medieval interpreters. This book will advance both Edwards scholarship and the church's recovery of its theological interpretation of Scripture."--Gerald R. McDermott, co-author of The Theology of Jonathan Edwards "This is a wonderful study that is not only academically profitable but exegetically informative. Many pastors and students of Edwards will appreciate this work." --LUCID THEOLOGY BLOG "Essential." --CHOICE