Dulcissimae Carmina Ecclesiae

by Seongmin Ryu

Phillip Melanchthon's psalm commentary was compiled based on his psalm lectures given at Wittenberg University from 15481553. In his commentary, the humanistic method for exegesis is used. The theological basis plays an important role in exegesis, namely the unity of the Old and New Testaments, the distinction between law and gospel, the connection between Christ and the church and the connection between David and the church. Clarity, pedagogy and application to the Church are important characteristics of Melanchthon's Psalm Commentary. Seongmin Ryu considers the theology of his psalm commentary under six themes: first, the revelation of God for the Church. Second, the law that outputs the content of revelation as the principle of God that rules the world. The law determines God's judgment towards man. Third, God gives the Church the other principle of redemption, the gospel. Fourth, the object of the gospel is the church. Fifth, the gospel-accepting church suffers in this life and calls on God. Sixth, God hears the Church calling him. These considerations show that at the center of the Psalm Commentary is the connection between God and the Church, specifically the comfort and promise of God for the preservation of the Church. Luther, Bugenhaben, Bucer, Calvin and Cajetan can be named among the psalms in the 16th century. By comparing them with their interpretations, Seongmin Ryu works out the unity of the Reformation theology and the difference between the Reformation theology and the Catholic, especially in the question of authority.