Psalms, Books 4–5

Nancy deClaissé-Walford is the Carolyn Ward Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages at the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a PhD in biblical studies from Baylor University and is the author of several articles and books on the Psalms. DeClaissé-Walford is an active participant in and part of the steering committee of the Book of Psalms Section of the Society of Biblical Literature and is also the Old Testament editor for the Word Biblical Commentary series.Barbara E. Reid, general editor of the Wisdom Commentary series, is a Dominican Sister of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is the Carroll Stuhlmueller, CP Distinguished Professor of New Testament Studies, and president emerita of Catholic Theological Union (the first woman who held the position). She has been a member of the CTU faculty since 1988 and also served as vice president and academic dean from 2009 to 2018. She holds a PhD in biblical studies from The Catholic University of America and was president of the Catholic Biblical Association in 2014–2015. Her most recent publications are Luke 1–9 and Luke 10–24, co-authored with Shelly Matthews (WCS 43A, 43B; Liturgical Press, 2021); and At the Table of Holy Wisdom: Global Hungers and Feminist Biblical Interpretation (Paulist, 2023).

“Dr. deClaissé-Walford’s commentary opens my white, male eyes to see new possibilities of interpretation, whether it is discerning Wisdom’s words in Psalm 119 or finding God writhing in childbirth in Psalm 90. But beyond finding the feminine in these ancient patriarchal texts, deClaissé-Walford engages other voices for insight, including those of South African women who personally testify to the hope these psalms provide in the midst of systemic violence and economic inequity. Her commentary is more than a commentary; it is a testimonial. Like Jacob wrestling at the Jabbok, deClaissé-Walford wrestles with these psalms to seek a blessing for all her readers.”William P. Brown, PhD, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary

• ContentsList of Abbreviations viiAcknowledgments xiList of Contributors xiiiForeword: “Tell It on the Mountain”—or, “And You Shall Tell Your Daughter [as Well]” xviiAthalya Brenner-IdanEditor’s Introduction to Wisdom Commentary: “She Is a Breath of the Power of God” (Wis 7:25) xxiBarbara E. Reid, OPAuthor’s Introduction: Wrestling with the Book of Psalms xliBook 4 of the Psalter (Pss 90–106) 1Psalms 90–92 So That We May Gain a “Heart of Wisdom” 3Psalms 93–100 God Is Sovereign: Let the Earth Give a Ringing Cry! 19Psalms 101–104 In the Midst of My Anguish, Let Me Walk with Integrity 43Psalms 105 and 106 Testify and Make Known the Great Acts of the Lord 67 Book 5 of the Psalter (Pss 107–150) 81Psalm 107 A Place to Call Home 83Psalms 108–110 O God of My Praise, Do Not Be Silent! 93Psalms 111 and 112 The Reverence of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom 109Psalms 113–118 From a Narrow Place to a Broad Place— Celebrating Deliverance from Oppression 121Psalm 119 Words from Woman Wisdom 151Psalms 120–134 I Lift My Eyes to the Hills and Seek Peace 171Psalms 135–137 On Whose Shoulders Are We Standing? 231Psalms 138–145 All Flesh Will Bless God’s Holy Name 253Psalms 146–150 Let All That Have Breath . . . Women and Men Alike 303Epilogue 319Works Cited 321Index of Scripture References 329Index of Subjects 337