Theological Themes of Psalms

The pastor who seeks to preach expositionally through Psalms faces a daunting task, for the sermon series would take several years to complete and many of the sermons would seem repetitious because of similar psalms. To respond to this challenge the author has used the book theology method to analyze the Book of Psalms into twenty-eight theological themes, providing the preacher with material for approximately a one-year series on the book. Each chapter includes a list of applicable theological propositions that can be preached or taught to contemporary audiences. Then the chapter concludes by linking the topic to New Testament passages. This monograph contains over seventy tables, mainly charting the Hebrew terms used for a particular theme. Careful textual and exegetical notes provide guidance for translation and interpretation of many verses. Furthermore, relevant Hebrew word studies inform theological understanding. Backing up the analysis are numerous references to Psalm commentaries, both classical and contemporary.

""This helpful volume provides a comprehensive summary of twenty-eight key theological themes emphasized in the book of Psalms. . . . The treatment is thorough, well organized, and not lacking in practical application. This book will be of great benefit for those who wish to preach or teach thematically and theologically through the Psalter.""
--Richard A. Taylor, Senior Professor of Old Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

""Pastors and teachers need two broad categories of books in their libraries: exegetical commentaries, and works that analyze the theological messages of the biblical books. Bell's book falls into the latter category, of which there is a general paucity. Analysis is a higher-order level of reasoning, and those who do it skillfully render a remarkable service to ministers of God's word to God's people. Bell's book is a valuable asset for such ministers.""
--J. Randolph Jaeggli, Bob Jones University Seminary

Robert D. Bell has taught Old Testament and theology seminary courses at Bob Jones University (Greenville, South Carolina) since 1968. He retired in 2017. He is the author of The Theological Messages of the Old Testament Books (2010) and co-author of Hebrew Handbook (2007). Bell has published over 50 articles about the Old Testament in Biblical Viewpoint. He has also reviewed numerous books for this publication.