(Part 1)

JBTM Jeffrey G. Audirsch
55
ancient Israel’s interaction with God and the surrounding nations. It includes
multiple theologies from various traditions and it describes elements of
worship that are foreign to modern readers. Thus, it is imperative that the
interpreter/preacher be fluent in the major themes, theological motifs, and
historical events of ancient Israel.
5. Identify the historical background/context. Every biblical text has a context.
The task of the interpreter/preacher is to identify—through various means
sometimes—the most probable context of a given passage. In some cases,
identifying the historical background/context of a poem is easy (e.g., the
Song of Hannah in 1 Sam 2:1–1). At other times, especially in the Psalter,
the historical background/context is not easily identifiable. When dealing
with the Psalter, this principle should include more practical questions:
What type of psalm is it? What is the purpose of the psalm (particularly
with regard to its type)? Who is speaking? Is the psalm evoking a response
from an individual, a group, or both? In these cases, the interpreter/preacher
should rely on various introductory books and commentaries to assist in the
process. Additionally, it will be greatly beneficial if interpreters/preachers
are familiar with both Noth’s and Westermann’s approaches to classification
of the psalms (see above).
From a preaching point of view, interpreters/preachers can preach a poetic
text from two perspectives. Either focus on the meaning of the poetic text
or focus should be on what is behind the poetic text. Both approaches are
valuable. Naturally, a blend of the two can be done as well. The difference
between the two approaches is significant. The focus on the meaning of the
text approach is more concerned with the emotive purpose of the song/hymn
over and against the back story (i.e., historical background/context) of the
other approach. In short, focus on the meaning of the poetic text approach
tries to avoid preaching the back story of a poem/psalm by focusing mainly
on “the meaning of the text.” 92 For example, most scholars agree that the
historical background/context of Ps 51 is David’s affair with Bathsheba and
the subsequent condemnation of the king by the prophet Nathan (2 Sam
11–12). Thus, preaching from the meaning of the poetic text rather than the
what is behind the text would mean that the interpreter/preaching would not
focus on David’s moral failure described in the Samuel corpus, but rather on
the emotive response of David to his sins.
6. Identify the figurative and cultural-specific language. One of the greatest
difficulties in preaching biblical poetry is trying to interpret and understand
92
Steven Smith, Recapturing the Voice of God (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2015), 135–36.