Disorientation In The Psalter

The book of Psalms is one of the most useful books all throughout the Biblical text. It is not just a book of stories or law but personal praises, laments, and the deepest cries of the soul to the one true King: Yahweh. The Psalter is “the most reliable theological, pastoral, and liturgical resource given us in the biblical tradition” (pp. 1). These psalms pave a path for practical faith in the world today. Author, theologian, and teacher, Walter Brueggemann, goes into depth on the psalms of orientation, disorientation, and new orientation to discuss that through the unexpected high and low seasons of life one can turn to the Psalms for authentic conversation with God. Seasons of unexpected highs and unexpected lows are sure to occur throughout this fragile thing we call life. They are inevitable and it is the

There is no doubt that the psalms are key to spirituality and take on a journey to true intimacy with God. In the book of psalms, the movement of the psalms portrays a life that is symmetrical and full of happiness to a life that has somehow ran itself into the ground. However, through God’s grace life is healed to a state of renewal where praises and thanksgiving are lifted up. These themes are common all throughout the Psalter. It is these themes that Walter Brueggemann refers to as periods of orientation, disorientation, and new orientation referred to above. It is these three themes that we must take in as one to fully experience the Psalter. For “the Psalms are not only addressed to God. They are a voice of the gospel, God’s good word for God’s faithful people” (pp. 2). Without the entire Psalter how can one manage to get the full aspect of the gospel. This is how the psalms become truly spiritual: orientation, disorientation, and new