Patristic and Mediaeval Approach

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History of Interpretation of Psalms
Patristic and Mediaeval Approach → Reformation Approach

Method

Allegorical/Christological

“Him first, Him last, Him midst and without end” (Augustine).

Fourfold Interpretation (of the Schoolmen)

  1. Historical: Jerusalem – The City
  2. Allegorical: Jerusalem – The Church
  3. Tropological: Jerusalem – The Human Soul
  4. Anagogical: Jerusalem – The Heavenly City

Memorization: Large proportion of time spent in reciting Psalms and commitment to memory enjoined on Ecclesiastics:

“None henceforth shall be promoted to any ecclesiastical dignity who do not perfectly know the whole Psalter.” (Eighth Council of Toledo, 653 AD) J. M. Neale and R. F. Littledale, op. cit., Vol. 1, p. 4.

Scholars

See J. M. Neale and R. F. Littledale, A Commentary on the Psalms: From Primitive and Medieval Writers and from the Various Office-Books and Hymns of the Roman, Mozarabic, Ambrosian, Gallican, Greek, Coptic, Armenian, and Syrian Rites. 4 vols. London: Joseph Masters, Vol. 1, 2nd ed. 1869, Vol 2 1868, Vol. 3 1871, Vol. 4 1874.