Psalterspiel

In Luther's preface to the Psalter, in which he praises the Psalter overall as the book of books, an old tradition lingered on. This tradition has died out, and the more recent reference to the Psalms appears epigonic. There are, however, dissenting voices. The textualization of the Psalms has resulted in a Psalter theology, its decline has led to different Psalter styles, and in view of its imminent disappearance, the Psalter arts, iconography, music and poetics illustrate the fact that even if the Psalms ceased to exist, nevertheless they cannot not be (§§1-3). The outline of a Psalter theology provides an answer to this problem. Iconography, music and poetics have left their mark on the figurative, musical and poetic elements of the language in Psalms (§§ 4.6.8) and conversely when examined in view of their own language, the language of images, the language of music and the language of language (§§5.7.9), they become a complete unmistakeable memory trail. And it is when these forms of art interact that the Psalter comes into being.