Dr. Beth Tanner: The Book of Psalms
March 9, 2015
Three Psalms Scholars walk into a Denver restaurant in the middle of a snow storm&
What appears to be the opening line of a witticism actually describes the beginning of something profound – a meeting of minds that would result in The Book of Psalms, a new volume in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT) series. This prestigious commentary series has a worldwide readership of scholars, pastors, priests, rabbis and serious Bible students. The Book of Psalms, published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., is available now.
The authors of The Book of Psalms, Beth LaNeel Tanner, Chair of the Admissions Committee and the Rev. Dr. Norman and Mrs. Mary Kansfield Professor of Old Testament Studies at New Brunswick Theological Seminary; Nancy L. deClaissé-Walford, Carolyn Ward Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages at McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia; and Rolf A. Jacobson, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota; did not meet that snowy evening in Denver by chance.
All were attending the 2001 Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), the oldest and largest international scholarly membership organization in the field of biblical studies. Tanner, deClaissé-Walford and Jacobson have known each other for years through SBL’s Book of Psalms group, where they jointly presented papers, gave presentations and led roundtable discussions. This is the first time, however, that the trio has written a book – a collaborative 10-year project.
“We are delighted that Dr. Tanner has contributed so impressively to this new commentary on the Psalms,” said Dr. Gregg Mast, President of New Brunswick Theological Seminary. “Her pastoral scholarship and passionate love of scripture make this work a wise companion for students, pastors and academic colleagues.”
J. Clinton McCann Jr., Evangelical Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Eden Theological Seminary, asserts the three authors “represent the best and the brightest of a new generation of Psalms scholars. Their creative collaboration has produced a very impressive volume that will certainly be both a scholarly standard and a wonderful resource for leaders in the faith communities that treasure the Psalms as Scripture.”
The Book of Psalms is unique in several ways. Typically, critical commentary pieces are written by one biblical scholar; it is unusual for three scholars to work on a single book. The Book of Psalms is also the first critical commentary to incorporate the Dead Sea Scrolls in its translation, notes and commentary on all 150 psalms. Amazingly, all of the content is contained in one book (another first) versus a three-volume set, which is standard. It was very important to the authors that The Book of Psalms critical commentary be affordable to Seminarians and Ph.D. students.
John Goldingay, David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary, stated, “How excellent that these three scholars have written this commentary! How admirable that they have managed to cover so much ground and deal with so many detailed points concerning text and language, all within the confines of one volume!”
There are more irons in the fire for Dr. Tanner. Her current book project on the history of Israel and Judah will go to press this summer, and another commentary on the psalms is in the works. This particular piece will be a feminist commentary, not a single voice but a shared international dialogue. We can’t wait to be part of the conversation.