The Use of the Psalms and Wisdom Literature or related songs in Christian Prayer and Liturgy

Abstract

This study explores the use of Psalms and Wisdom Literature in Christian prayer and liturgy, with a specific focus on integrating Rwandan spirituality and oral traditions. The objective is to assess theology students' familiarity with and application of biblical texts or related songs, particularly Psalms and Wisdom writings, within personal devotion, communal worship, and future pastoral ministry. The central hypothesis posits that deeper engagement with these biblical genres or related songs enhances theological formation, spiritual depth, and contextualized pastoral practice. The methodology involves a mixed-methods approach, combining textual analysis with a survey distributed to theology students at the Catholic University of Rwanda. The questionnaire evaluates frequency of use, comprehension of key themes (justice, suffering, family, speech), and the level of comfort in employing these texts in liturgical, catechetical, and healing contexts. Qualitative data includes reflections on the creative use of Psalms in music, lamentation, and thanksgiving or related songs, while quantitative analysis reveals that 76% of respondents regularly incorporate Psalms or related songs into personal prayer, and 63% demonstrate strong familiarity with Wisdom themes or related songs. Notably, 58% of students express confidence in integrating Psalms into liturgical settings, especially within the Liturgy of the Hours or prayers in general, and 70% appreciate their pastoral utility in contexts such as mourning, community reconciliation, and moral education. The findings affirm the value of contextualized scriptural engagement and suggest the need for enhanced curricular emphasis on the spiritual and liturgical dimensions of the Psalms and Wisdom texts. This research contributes to a broader understanding of how biblical prayer can be re-rooted in Rwandan spiritual landscapes for effective theological formation.