Prophecy and poetry in the Psalms-commentaries of St Bruno and the pre-scholastics

Abstract

Commentaries on the Psalter by Bruno le Chartreux and other exegetes of the late-eleventh and early-twelfth centuries, represent a distinct body of biblical interpretation that has been neglected in earlier scholarship. The common features of this pre-scholastic tradition are described in three sections. Firstly, the commentators’ use of their sources is described, allowing us to see the different ways these sources were adapted and mediated within this tradition, as well as revealing how some of the commentaries in this group may be divided into distinct families. Secondly, the exegetes’ shared understanding of David qua author of the Psalter, and his status as a prophet, are explored. Finally, the exegetes’ consideration of the Psalter as a collection of poems reveals that they used the interpretive techniques of the liberal arts curriculum to discern David’s prophetic intentions within his verse – and what appear to be allegorical readings may therefore better be understood as literal interpretations.