Description Drawing on research from the field of narrative ethics, The Storied Ethics of the Thanksgiving Psalms argues that story and storytelling function as important instruments in a given community\'s ethical shaping.
James is an Adjunct Instructor of Old Testament Studies at the John Leland Center for Theological Studies, USA..
About the Author Joshua T.
These intended results - prayer, commitment, trust, hope, expectancy, public storytelling and Thanksgiving - are not typically pursued in "ethical" studies, but they are clearly part of the Psalter\'scomprehensive vision of the ethical life and are, therefore, worthy of careful consideration.
In addition, these psalms, and the stories they retell, invite the audience to tell their story when God answers their prayers, and to do so in public, in corporate worship, for the benefit of the community.
The example provided by the worshipper challenges the audience to pray as they prayed, to trust as they trust, to live with hope as they live with hope.
The affirmation of Yahweh\'s character provides the framework for the community\'s continued (or renewed) commitment and trust, hope and expectancy.
Yahweh is presented as one who is worthy of trust, even in the midst of personal disaster.
In the present study, this argument is tested through a close reading of three thanksgivings - Psalms 116, 118, and 138 - each of which clearly demonstrates a didactic concern.
However, because the Thanksgiving Psalms are characterized by their inclusion of the worshipper\'s story, they stand to benefit from the application of a narrative ethical approach.
While this argument has gained some traction in the field of Old Testament ethics, it has yet to inform an ethical reading of non-narrative texts, such as the Psalter.
Description Drawing on research from the field of narrative ethics, The Storied Ethics of the Thanksgiving Psalms argues that story and storytelling function as important instruments in a given community\'s ethical shaping
