Final answer:
Longman suggests that modern readers who wish to understand biblical imagery in the psalms should study the historical context, learn about the cultural background, and read scholarly commentaries to grasp the text's full significance.
Step-by-step explanation:
To understand the biblical imagery in the psalms, Longman suggests that the modern reader should engage with the psalm's various contextual layers. Specifically, readers should study the historical context of the psalms, learn about the cultural background of the biblical era, and read commentaries and scholarly articles on the psalms. This multi-faceted approach allows for a deeper grasp of the text by appreciating its historical, literary, cultural, socioeconomic, religious, and political backgrounds, which all contribute to its meaning.
Moreover, analyzing a composition in relation to its specific historical and cultural context is crucial for understanding the intended messages, symbols, and themes embedded within the text. The interplay between verbal and nonverbal elements and the placement of the work within its literary historical context also offer insights into the nature of the period when the text was produced and the influences on its author.