Uncovering Hidden Anger in the Psalms Using Psychological Models of Anger

Abstract

This article sets out to create a methodology for identifying anger in a biblical text using psychological models of anger rather than relying on explicit anger vocabulary. To do this, the article uses modern psychological research to define seven clear anger markers and show how these appear in a text like the Psalms. These markers are blocked goals, attribution of blame, approach motivation, vision of a way forward, entitlement, unmet expectations, and life stress. A selection of psalms, Pss. 60-80, are examined through the lens of these criteria to identify those psalms that contain subtle anger and those that do not.