In that class (and in that book) Brueggemann suggests one way to organize the psalms is into one of three categories: psalms of orientation, psalms of disorientation, and psalms of new orientation. The former is what we learn in order to orient ourselves to the world: Torah Psalms and Psalms that celebrate Creation fall into this category. (See Psalm 1, for example.)
But life is not always that way. Sometimes we feel like we are in a pit, like we are isolated and alone. Sometimes we have no idea which way is up or where to turn next. These are the psalms of disorientation. (See Psalm 88, for example.)
Usually we don't move through disorienting life experiences quickly or in a straight line. The world is changed for good when that happens, and we cannot return to the "simplicity" of the orientation psalms; they just don't work any more. The only way forward is to a new place - a new orientation. Psalms of new orientation can look back to a time when things were not good, but now things are better. There has been growth and learning and renewed trust in God. (See Psalm 23 as a famous example.) No longer is one afraid of the valley of the shadow of death as a first timer; because the poet knows that God is even there, and will comfort and prepare a way forward.
Brueggemann's argument is that we, as individuals and as faith communities, need to learn this repertoire of prayers for a more earthy and real spirituality that goes deeper than cliché.
What might this mean for preachers and those who listen to preachers in this time and place? I'm now back in a place every week rather than the itinerant ministry of a diocesan canon. I'm developing relationships with the people at St. Michael's and I know not only the larger social context we are living in but their own stories along the way. Generally speaking though, and regardless of political leanings, it feels like we are living in a very disorienting time. A lot is happening at once and a lot of this scares people, including me. We are used to theologies of orientation - I think historically this is what the Church has done best. We give people the foundations of faith. We teach them the Lord's Prayer and the Creed and how to open a Bible. But rarely do we know what to do or say in disorienting times and preaching follows this pattern.
On a personal note, I find the great temptation of these days very great to try to return to a familiar place of orientation. But it seems to me the work that lies ahead is a two-step process., however. Not only can we not go back but we won't move forward quickly. First we have to be honest about the disorientation, and all of the emotions that accompany it: fear and anger and loss and confusion as a start. We might use this time to re-engage the parts of the Bible that engage these difficult and disorienting times: in addition to those disorienting psalms there is Lamentations and Job and Ecclesiastes and even John's Revelation, to name a few.
You can't tell a person still in the pit that "though I walk through the shadow of death I will fear no evil..." I mean, you can, but it's pastorally cruel and usually does not resonate well. We NEED those psalms of disorientation for a season so we know we are not losing our minds. We need to move through a time of grief and loss and learn or re-learn a language for doing so.
But never is that the last word. We are an Easter people who embrace the Paschal Mystery. Our story includes Good Friday but it doesn't end there. New life is possible and promised.
So we need to do two things at once, I think: tell the truth and hold out hope. Hope is not wishful thinking or cockeyed optimism. If we are telling the truth about where we are right now, those responses are hollow. Rather, the new orientation psalms and prayers and sermons will be those that acknowledge the truth but also insist the story is not over. Since we cannot go back to "old" orientation there is only forward, to new joys and new possibilities.
But that may take some time...
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