ABSTRACT
This essay revisits the practice of lamentation, and particularly the lament psalms, in the light of trauma theory. The essay considers the ‘loss’ of lamentation practice from Christian traditions other than monasticism, and surveys recent contributions that seek to ‘recover’ it. It focuses on the constituent elements of lament psalms, with a view to considering how each of these elements, and especially the movement from lamentation to hope that is present in most psalms of lament, functions in use by traumatised people and congregations. The essay ends with a discussion of practical considerations for the individual and communal, liturgical and non-liturgical use of psalms of lament with traumatised people and congregations.
