St. Augustine's interpretation of the Psalms of ascent / Gerard McLarney.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Patristic exegesis and the Psalter -- Delivery and transmission of the Enarrationes -- The social, cultural, and ecclesial context of the Enarrationes -- St. Augustine's interpretation of the Psalms of ascent -- An exploration of Enarrationes.

Print version record.

McLarney considers the reception of the Psalter in the early church and examines patristic hermeneutical principles and Psalter commentaries in conjunction with Augustine's distinctive approaches to scripture and the Psalms. He studies the delivery and transmission of Augustine's Expositions (Enarrationes), as well as the mechanics of their composition, recording, and circulation, and the manuscript tradition. He looks at the possible times and places of their delivery. McLarney then examines the social, cultural, and liturgical context of these Expositions. Topics include African Christianity in Augustine's time, the composition of a typical audience, and the structure of the liturgy with specific reference to the role of the Psalter. He sets in sharper relief features such as the prominence of martyrs, the influence of Neoplatonism, emphasis on spiritual combat, and the importance of singing--all within the context of the physical and liturgical context of delivery. Augustine does not read out (exegete) the Psalter simply for his own benefit but pursues a hermeneutic of alignment, bringing the Psalmist, the Psalm, and the lives of his North African readers into a common context--and draws them into the dynamism of the Psalms. His readers continue an ascent of salvation in the communion of believers that began in ancient times. (Publisher).

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