A New Song: Biblical Hebrew Poetry as Jewish and Christian Scripture
The fresh riches of biblical poetry for communities of faith
A New Song brings together a diverse roster of Jewish and Christian scholars to explore biblical Hebrew poetic texts within the context—and for the benefit—of communities of faith.
Edited by Stephen D. Campbell, Richard G. Rohlfing Jr., and Richard S. Briggs, A New Song includes nine essays on the hidden intricacies of poetry in the Hebrew Bible, ten poems in dialogue with biblical poetry, and three reflective responses. These thoughtful essays and poems encourage readers to join in the singing of the old songs anew.
Contributors include Jason Byassee, Ellen Davis, June Dickie, David Firth, Susan Gillingham, John Goldingay, C.T.R. Hayward, Katie M. Heffelfinger, Rabbi Shai Held, Micheal O’Siadhail, Benjamin D. Sommer, and Yisca Zimran.
Features poems by Maria Apichella, Kilby Austin, Edward Clarke, Jacqueline Osherow, Micheal O’Siadhail, Richard G. Rohlfing Jr., and Jock Stein.
Praise for A New Song
This volume beautifully draws into conversation the Bible’s ancient poetic texts, literary and theological insights about the nature of poetry, and the successive communities of faith who have read, sung, and been shaped by these biblical songs. The contributing authors not only provide rich insights into the particular poetic texts they consider, but they also offer more general tools for reading poetry well—in a wide variety of ways from a wide variety of perspectives. A New Song makes a valuable contribution to the study of biblical Hebrew poetry and can be appreciated by experts and lay enthusiasts alike.
—Rebecca W. Poe Hays, Baylor University
If you can read only one book on biblical poetry this year—even this decade—this should be it. The range is vast, the depth profound. Leading voices from across the world are gathered together in one place, curated carefully and most ably by the editorial team. A stunning collection; worth owning, yes, but much, much more: worth digesting.
—Brent A. Strawn, Duke University
A New Song is far more than a collection of essays. It invites readers into a conversation of Hebrew poetry with some of the best and most diverse conversation partners in the field. With sensitivity to the intersections of poetry and theology, composition and reception, and reading and response, the depth of these essays reflects the depths of the poetry they explore. I will be recommending this book to students and scholars alike!
—Elizabeth H. P. Backfish, William Jessup University
Studies in Scripture and Biblical Theology
Studies in Scripture and Biblical Theology is a peer-reviewed series of contemporary monographs exploring key topics and issues in biblical studies and biblical theology from an evangelical perspective.
Learn more about the other titles in this series.
- Introduction by Stephen D. Campbell and Richard G. Rohlfing Jr.
- Part One: Biblical Hebrew Poetry as Jewish and Christian Scripture
- On Reading Genesis 49: How Hebrew Poetry Communicates Then and Now by John Goldingay
- Shirat Ha-Yam (the Song of the Sea) in Jewish and Christian Liturgical Tradition by C.T.R. Hayward
- Hannah’s Prayer (1 Samuel 2:1–10): On the Interface of Poetics and Ethics in an Embedded Poem by David G. Firth
- Bending the Silence: Reading Psalms through the Arts by Ellen F. Davis
- Psalms “Translated” for Life in the 21st Century – A South African perspective by June F. Dickie
- Prosody and Preaching: Poetic Form and Religious Function in Biblical Verse by Benjamin D. Sommer
- “With Fists Flailing at the Gates of Heaven”: Wrestling with Psalm 88, A Psalm for Chronic Illness by Shai Held
- Truth and Hidden Things: Reading Isaiah 45:9–25 as Scripture by Katie M. Heffelfinger
- The Dynamic Relationship between God and Man in the Book of Hosea: A Dynamic – Synchronic Reading by Yisca Zimran
- Part Two: Contemporary Poetry in Dialogue
- Poetry with Introduction by Richard G. Rohlfing Jr.
- Part Three: Responses
- A Song ‘Forever New’ in the Psalms by Susan Gillingham
- A Response to New Song by Micheal O’Siadhail
- A Response to the “New Song” Conference by Jason Byassee
- Title: A New Song: Biblical Hebrew Poetry as Jewish and Christian Scripture
- Editors: Stephen D. Campbell, Richard G. Rohlfing Jr., and Richard S. Briggs
- Series: Studies in Scripture and Biblical Theology
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2023
- Pages: 232
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 6x9
- ISBN: 9781683596912
Stephen D. Campbell is academic director of Aquila Initiative in Cologne, Germany, and pastor of the International Baptist Church of Bonn, Germany.
Richard G. Rohlfing Jr.is lead pastor at Faith Legacy Church in Sacramento, California, and adjunct professor of biblical Hebrew at Western Seminary.
Richard S. Briggs is director of biblical studies and lecturer in Old Testament at Cranmer Hall, St. John’s College, Durham University.