The Psalms and Canticles in Words, Images and Prayer

Pontifex University

Rev. Sebastian A. Carnazzo, PhD

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course examines the sung texts of the Divine Office, both the book of Psalms, which, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, contains "all of theology," and the various Canticles of the Old and New Testaments. Each Psalm and Canticle is examined exegetically, with a focus on the historical context of authorship and composition and then considered in light of its use in the traditional liturgical setting, including visual imagery related to the text in the illuminated manuscripts.

If you are interested in auditing this course please email [email protected].

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

By the end of this course the students will be able to discuss the Psalms in their historical and exegetical context as they relate to liturgical settings.

 

REQUIRED RESOURCE:

•      Scott Hahn, A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God’s Covenant Love in Scripture (Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1998).

 

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE:

•      RSV CE, Ignatius Press, 2nd Edition, hardcover or leatherette

 

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

This course is offered asynchronously on our LMS, NEO.  To access the course and complete it successfully, you will need an internet capable device with sound and a current internet browser: either the current or the previous release of Chrome, Firefox and Safari, or Internet Explorer 11+ (for Windows 8 and previous versions), and Microsoft Edge (for Windows 10+) to run the LMS.  In addition, courses require the use of, a PDF viewer, word-processing software compatible with Microsoft Office suite and a current email address. For help with the NEO platform see the Help Center in the LMS, found by clicking on the “?” in the upper right hand corner after you have logged in.  For log in questions, registration questions, or problems with missing content or content malfunctions, contact the teaching assistant, Elizabeth Froula at [email protected].

 

TOPICS COVERED IN COURSE SCHEDULE:

The book of Psalms

Song of Moses (Exod 15:1-21)

Another Song of Moses (Deut 32:1-43)

Prayer of Hannah (1 Sam 2:1-10)

Thanksgiving of David (1 Chron 29:10-13)

Song of Isaiah (Isa 12:1-6)

Writing of Hezekiah (Isa 38:9-21)

Song of Isaiah (Isa 45:15-25)

Song of Jeremiah (Jer 31:10-14)

Song of Daniel (Dan 3:29-34; 3:35-66)

Thanksgiving of Judith (Jud 16:13-17)

Prayer of Habakkuk (Hab 3)

Song Sirach (Sir 36:1-11)

Prayer of Tobit (Tob 13:1-10)

Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-56)

Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:67-79)

 

Lesson 1
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to discuss the development of the Book of Psalms.

 

Lesson 2
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze Psalms 1, 2, 110, 112 in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 3
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze Psalms 3-10 in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 4
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze Psalms 9-22 in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 5
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze Psalms 22-23, 31 - 34, 42, 44, 45, 47, 49, 50 in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 6
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze Psalms 51, 57-59, 63, 68, 69, 72-76 in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 7
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze Psalms 78-80, 84, 86, 88, 89-94, 98-104, 107, 110, 112, 114, in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 8
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze Psalm 115, 118, 119 - 137, 146, 147, (151,) in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 9
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze the Song of Moses (Exodus 15), the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32), and he Prayer of Hannah (1 Sam 2:1-10) in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 10
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze the Thanksgiving of David (1 Chron 29:10-13), the Song of Isaiah (Isa 12:1-6), the Writing of Hezekiah (Isa 38:9-21), the Song of Isaiah (Isa 45:15-25), and the Song of Jeremiah (Jer 31:10-14), in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 11

By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze the Song of Daniel (Dan 3:29-34; 3:35-66), and the Thanksgiving of Judith (Jud 16:13-17) in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 12
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze the Prayer of Habakkuk (Hab 3), the Song Sirach (Sir 36:1-11), and the Prayer of Tobit (Tob 13:1-10) in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 13
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze the Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-56) and Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:67-79) in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 14
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze the Victory Song (Rev 19:5-10), Revelation ch. 4-5 , Ephesians 1:1-10, Colossians 1:12-20,  in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 15
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to analyze Revelation ch. 11,12, 15, Philippians ch. 2, Isaiah ch. 2, 25, 33:13-16, Jeremiah ch. 14 and Wisdom ch. 9,  in their exegetical context.

 

Lesson 16
By the end of this lesson the student will be able to discuss the imagery used in psalters as they relate to the Psalms.

 

 

EXAMINATIONS:  There are two exams for the course.  The first exam is a midterm.  The second exam is a comprehensive final.  The format for both exams is subjective short essay.  The students will be allowed 3 hours to complete each exam.  Both exams are open bible but not open notes.  The students may use, however, any notes that are written in their bibles so notes should be taken carefully throughout the semester. 

 

GRADING: The student’s course grade is based on the Midterm score (50%) and Final score (50%).

 

PROPRIETARY INTEREST POLICY:

Faculty are permitted to refer to notable past work and achievements (including publications and educational activities not offered by Pontifex University, and even those offered for personal profit) in their published biography on the Pontifex website and course promotions. In the context of educational activities undertaken for Pontifex University, including videos, live or recorded, teachers, can recommend or bring to the attention such work for students (even if for personal profit, for example, books or podcasts) but only with approval by Pontifex University and when it is related to the teaching purpose of the class.  An instructor’s related work will be noted in the syllabus as appropriate.  Instructors may use their own materials as required in their courses and learning events as long as the materials are appropriate for the particular learning event.