Into It | Dangerous Songs study guide

Chapter 5: Outrage

Study Guide for Dangerous Songs: The Psalms and a Gloriously Disrupted Life

First Words of Outrage

What comes to mind when you think “protest.”
Have you ever experienced what the author calls “denial theology?” In that perspective, what is emphasized and what is left out?

A Theology of Lament

A theology of lament opens the deepest part of our humanity to be honest. Discuss. Is there room for lament in your community’s worship life?
From page 92: “Far from simple, the theology of the Psalms is more mosaic than systematic— one-hundred-fifty windows of experience from a people faithfully wrestling with the Source of Life.” Do you find this frustrating or liberating? Why?

The Language of Grief

The lament formula includes addressing God, a description of trouble, a big ask, declaring trust, and, finally, praise. The author says this is a trajectory of hope. In what ways is this helpful for people in the 21st century?

Despair Over Systematic Injustice

Political Outrage

Listen to Justice is On its Way (Psalm 94). If you’re part of a faith community, what have you sung or spoken together after tragedies?
Listen to I Love the Keeper of Life (Psalm 116). It’s not easy to live with the paradox of a world in crisis that is also in God’s care. Discuss.
In your community of faith, what place does anger and outrage have?

Who Needs Protection?

What groups of people in your society are most vulnerable, and in what ways are they open to harm?
Listen to Pay Attention (Psalm 140) is all its lamentiness.

Numb Dismay

What experiences of numbness have you heard about? Have you experienced this kind of grief?
Listen to Raise Your Heads (Psalm 110). There’s lots of room for interpretation for this psalm. What does it mean to you?

Disgust For Evil

Of the many metaphors for the renewed life found in Psalm 51, which is the most meaningful and which ones rub you the wrong way?
Give an example of abuse of power.

Countless Areas of Concern

The author describes the violent images in Psalm 58. How do you feel about this aggressive tone?
Listen to Deliver Us (Psalm 58) and discuss the petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Deliver us from evil.”
The author suggests that a psalm like this helps us in the 21st century name that which is need of healing. What needs healing right now?

Personal Abuse

Like Psalm 58 above, Psalm 109 is a venting rant full of curses. Have you ever had intense emotions you needed to vent so no damage was done? What are cathartic outlets for you? (e.g.: music, exercise, movies, being with friends, games)
Listen to A Curse Assurance Non-Violence (Psalm 109). Discuss.
When is a time your ideas about God changed? Was that moment related to a particular experience?

Terrorism

Outrage is an emotional response of profound fury, disgust, shock, resentment and/or indignation to a violation of decency. How do people respond to other people’s outrage? When is a time you felt furious?

Songs of Resistance

Listen to Restore Us (Psalm 80). What is an area of your life that is ready for renewal, rehab, repair, or restoration?

The Cringe Mirror

Politics is relationship on a large scale— the organization of power to connect parts of a society. What political realities were the psalmists 3000 years ago dealing with? How are today’s realities the same or different?