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BUILDING AN OLD TESTAMENT LIBRARY: PSALMS-DANIEL

New to Psalms studies is J.C. McCann's introduction to Hebrew poetry and commentary on the Psalms in The New Interpreter's Bible (NIB; Abingdon, 1996). McCann's work is theological and canonical. J.L. Mays' commentary (Interpretation; John Knox, 1994) is theological and christological in focus. The Word Biblical Commentary (WBC) has three, full-scale, critical, and broadly evangelical volumes: Psalms 1-50, by P.C. Craigie (1983); Psalms 51-100, by M.E. Tate (1990); and Psalms 101-150 (1982). 

Raymond C. Van Leeuwen's work on Proverbs (NIB; 1994) is a refreshing reminder of our need "to see our world in the other's terms." His gender sensitivity and generally inclusive approach is on the cutting edge of contemporary interpretation. Also valuable among recent commentaries are R.N. Whybray's literary emphasis (New Century Bible [NCB]; Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1994); and K.A. Farmer's contemporary, theological reading (International Theological Commentary [ITC]; Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1991). 

Tremper Longman's new commentary on Ecclesiastes in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT; Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1998) finds the sentiments of Qohelet to sound incredibly modern. This work is canonical and christocentric. Also new is W.S. Towner's work in the NIB (1997). Towner describes the book as a tonic to ward off the "slippery slope of conceptually muddled piety." Also of interest are studies by R.E. Murphy (WBC, 1992) and R.N. Whybray (NCB, 1986). 

John F. Burg's work on Song of Songs (Northwestern, 1995), written for the teaching pastor, reads the text literally, yet makes application to both human and divine love. Othmar Keel's full-scale critical work (Fortress, 1994) is noteworthy for the technically minded, while M.H. Pope's mammoth work (Doubleday, 1977) is ecumenical in nature and rich with reflection. 

Notable for Lamentations is I.W. Provan's literary-critical and theological commentary (NCB, 1991). Although brief, S.P. Re'mi's God's People in Crisis (ITC, 1984) is a carefully written volume with theological leanings. 

New additions to the study of Isaiah include J.N. Oswalt's second volume in the NICOT (1998); Oswalt reads Isaiah as the united work of one author. Also new is W. Brueggemann's two-volume work in the Westminster Bible Companion (Westminster, 1998); this series is NRSV-based and intended to help laity read the Bible more clearly. Brueggemann reads from a faith-based, geo-political horizon. Still noteworthy are the older volumes by J.D.W. Watt (WBC, 1982/87) and the three volumes in the ITC; S.H. Widyapranawa covers Isaiah 1-39 (1990) and G.A.F. Knight covers Isaiah 40-55 (1984) and Isaiah 56-66 (1985). 

New in Jeremiah studies is W. Brueggemann's commentary (Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1998); written nearly a decade after his work in the ITC (1988/91), this volume is sure to contain updated applications. Of continuing use are J.A. Thompson's systematic study of the prophet, his message, and his theology, in the NICOT (1980); the two-volume, multi-authored work in the WBC (Jeremiah 1-25, by Craigie et al. [1982]; Jeremiah 26-52, by Keown et al. [1982]); and the recently completed two-volume work by W. McKane in the International Critical Commentary (T. &. T. Clark, 1986/96). 

New to the study of Ezekiel is B. Block's two volumes in the NICOT (1997)-encyclopedic in nature, blending the best exegetical research from all spectrums while striving to make application to the contemporary church. Focused on the theology of Ezekiel and the Christian's appropriation of the same are R.E. Clements (Westminster Bible Companion, 1996), R. Bigg's commentary (Epworth, 1996), and L.E. Cooper's contribution to the New American Commentary (Broadman and Holman, 1994). W.H. Brownlee (chs. 1-19; 1986) and L.C. Allen (chs. 20-48; 1990) comment on the prophet for the WBC. 

Necessary to any study of Daniel is a solid introduction to apocalyptic literature such as F.J. Murphy's in the NIB. This introduction prepares the student for D.L. Smith-Christopher's solid literary-critical work, riddled with applications for contemporary Christians, also in the NIB (1994). The new standard for serious study is found in J.J. Collin's Hermeneia commentary (Fortress, 1993). Of continuing importance is J. Goldingay's study in the WBC (1988). Useful for preaching and teaching is W.S. Towner's Interpretation commentary (1984). 

By LeAnn Snow Flesher, Assistant Professor of Old Testament, American Baptist Seminary of the West.