Noting that Israel's earliest responses to earth-shaking changes were cast in the powerfully expressive language of poetry, Hugh R. Page Jr. argues that the careful collection and preservation of these traditionsnow found in every part of the Hebrew Biblewas an act of resistance, a communal no to the forces of despair and a yes to the creative power of the Spirit. Further, Page argues, the power of these poems to craft and shape a future for a people who had suffered acute displacement and marginalization offers a rich spiritual repertoire for Africana peoples today, and for all who find themselves perennially outside the social or political mainstream. Here Page offers fresh translations and brief commentary on the Bible's fifteen earliest poems, and explores the power and relevance of these poems, and the ancient mythic themes behind them, for contemporary life at the margins.

This concise commentary, excerpted from the Fortress Commentary on the Bible: The Old Testament and Apocrypha, engages readers in the work of biblical interpretation. Contributors connect historical-critical analysis with sensitivity to current theological, cultural, and interpretive issues. introductory articles describe the challenges of reading the Old Testament in ancient and contemporary contexts, relating the biblical theme of the people of God" to our complex, multicultural world, and reading the Old Testament as Christian Scripture, followed by a survey of "Introduction to Wisdom and Worship: Themes and Perspectives in the Poetic Writings." Each chapter (Job through Song of Songs) includes an introduction and commentary on the text through the lenses of three critical questions: The Text in Its Ancient Context; The Text in the Interpretive Tradition; The Text in Contemporary Discussion. Wisdom, Worship, and Poetry introduces fresh perspectives and draws students, as well as preachers and interested readers, into the challenging work of interpretation.

This concise commentary on the Historical Writings, excerpted from the Fortress Commentary on the Bible: The Old Testament and Apocrypha, engages readers in the work of biblical interpretation. Contributors from a rich diversity of perspectives connect historical-critical analysis with sensitivity to current theological, cultural, and interpretive issue introductory articles describe the challenges of reading the Old Testament in ancient and contemporary contexts, relating the biblical theme of "the people of God" to our complex, multicultural world, and reading the Old Testament as Christian Scripture, followed by a survey of "Themes and Perspectives in the Historical Writings." Each chapter (Joshua through Esther) includes an introduction and commentary on the text through the lenses of three critical questions: The Text in Its Ancient Context; The Text in the Interpretive Tradition; The Text in Contemporary Discussion. The Historical Writings introduces fresh perspectives and draws students, as well as preachers and interested readers, into the challenging work of interpretation.

This concise commentary on the Prophets, excerpted from the Fortress Commentary on the Bible: The Old Testament and Apocrypha, engages readers in the work of biblical interpretation. Contributors from a rich diversity of perspectives connect historical-critical analysis with sensitivity to current theological, cultural, and interpretive issues. Introductory articles describe the challenges of reading the Old Testament in ancient and contemporary contexts, relating the biblical theme of "the people of God" to our complex, multicultural world, and reading the Old Testament as Christian Scripture, followed by a survey of "Themes and Perspectives in the Prophets: Truth, Tragedy, Trauma." Each chapter (Isaiah through Malachi) includes an introduction and commentary on the text through the lenses of three critical questions: The Text in Its Ancient Context; The Text in the Interpretive Tradition; The Text in Contemporary Discussion. The Prophets introduces fresh perspectives and draws students, as well as preachers and interested readers, into the challenging work of interpretation.