Date

4-18-2025

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition (PhD)

Chair

Dale J. Marshfield

Keywords

Psalter, Romans, Paul, OT Use in the NT, Forensic theology, Justification, Legal theology, Christological, Hermeneutics

Disciplines

Religion | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

This study examines the pivotal role of the Psalter in shaping Paul’s theological articulation of justification by faith in the Epistle to the Romans. The central argument asserts that Paul’s Christological hermeneutic of the Psalter serves as a foundational framework for the forensic and legal language employed in his presentation of justification by faith in Romans. The study systematically explores Paul’s theological interpretation of direct quotations from the Psalter in Romans, illuminating the forensic dimensions integral to his argumentation. Through rigorous exegetical analysis of these quotations, it is demonstrated that Paul consistently interprets these texts through the lens of Christ’s redemptive work, emphasizing forensic themes such as divine righteousness, human sinfulness, universal guilt, and God’s covenantal faithfulness. The exposition of all Psalter passages in Romans reveals Paul’s conviction that the Psalter offers a profound theological perspective on justification and on the God who justifies.

Paul’s use of the Psalms in Romans is neither arbitrary nor superficial; rather, it reflects a deep understanding of their original contexts, as he faithfully reappropriates their theological motifs within a forensic framework. By integrating the Psalter’s rich vocabulary, particularly the δίκη (dikē) family of words, Paul establishes justification as a divine judicial act grounded in God’s grace and fulfilled in Christ’s atoning sacrifice. This Christological reading underscores the necessity of justification due to universal human sinfulness, the gracious nature of God’s declaration of righteousness apart from human works, and the transformative effects of justification on believers—encompassing redemption, reconciliation, ethical renewal, and restored worship. This study demonstrates that Paul’s use of the Psalms is not merely a rhetorical strategy but a carefully constructed theological framework in which the Psalms provide the legal and moral foundation for his arguments.

This analysis meticulously examines the textual, literary, and theological aspects of these quotations, with particular attention to significant textual variants and Paul’s use of key theological vocabulary. Special focus is given to how Paul strategically adapts the language of the Psalms to support his broader theological claims. By engaging with Paul’s interpretive methods, including prosopological exegesis and metaleptic tropes, this research highlights Paul’s theological continuity between the Old Testament and the gospel message. The Psalms, therefore, are not presented as static ancient texts but as dynamic prophecies of the Christ event, offering a cohesive theological substructure for Paul’s doctrine of justification.

The discussion of the δίκη family of words in relation to Paul’s use of the Psalter in Romans represents a significant contribution to the academic discourse on the Old Testament’s use in the New Testament. Consequently, this research advances Pauline scholarship by elucidating the integral role of the Psalter in shaping Paul’s forensic language and theological vision. Furthermore, it invites deeper pastoral and ecclesial engagement with the Psalms, encouraging contemporary Christian communities to recognize their enduring relevance for understanding and articulating the doctrine of justification by faith.

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