The Intersection of Biblical Lament and Psychotherapy in the Healing of Trauma Memories

A study of biblical lament psalms can help present-day sufferers express their own pain to God, and this can result in personal, social, and biological healing. In this empirical study, Zulu "pain-bearers" first studied Psalms 3 and 13 and then wrote and performed their own laments, using...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Dickie, June F. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: SA ePublications [2019]
In: Old Testament essays
Year: 2019, Volume: 32, Issue: 3, Pages: 885-907
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Participation / Community / Poetics / Psychotherapy / Trauma / Individual lamentation
IxTheo Classification:HB Old Testament
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
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Summary:A study of biblical lament psalms can help present-day sufferers express their own pain to God, and this can result in personal, social, and biological healing. In this empirical study, Zulu "pain-bearers" first studied Psalms 3 and 13 and then wrote and performed their own laments, using the biblical laments as a model. The use ofpoetic form is shown to have advantages over narrative therapy approaches. The empirical compositions and performances fit with the insights gained from cognitive psychotherapy approaches as well as the therapeutic steps proposed by Judith Herman. Moreover, apart from facilitating healing of the soul and interpersonal relations, the research insights of Cozolino and others suggest that lament can stimulate the biological healing of the brain, allowing for the healthy processing of the trauma memories.
ISSN:2312-3621
Contains:Enthalten in: Old Testament essays
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.17159/2312-3621/2019/v32n3a7