Portraits of the Righteous in the Psalms

"Daniel Owens provides a responsible treatment of four key psalms linked to character, a valuable case study for canonical approaches to the Psalter, and an intriguing experiment in applying Bakhtinian and virtue-oriented concepts to Psalms interpretation. Not the final word on its broader subjects, this book nevertheless advances the dialogue at multiple points."

--Daniel Treier, Professor of Theology, Wheaton College



"Daniel Owens has given a forward thrust to the ethical study of the Psalter, which helps fill a lacuna in Psalms research, and currently joins a plethora of scholarly efforts to examine the Psalms for their ethical content. His careful and sensitive exegesis of Psalms 15, 24, 34, and 37 leads him to propose a form-critical shift from their traditional identification as entrance liturgies to character sketches, based upon the model of Deuteronomy 10:12-22, and designed to enable and encourage character formation."

--C. Hassell Bullock, Emeritus Professor of Biblical Studies, Wheaton College



"The Psalter has been relatively ignored in the field of Old Testament ethics. This work is a major step toward remedying that lack. It offers a careful reading of key psalms to demonstrate that their portraits of the righteous challenge readers to live virtuously and to persevere in the hope of Yahweh's presence. This is excellent scholarship at the service of the people of God."

--M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas), Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Denver Seminary