This book was written for the general reader, to provide a clearer understanding and a deeper appreciation of the religious and literary value of the Psalms. The Hebrew Psalms have a power of survival which is unparalleled in the spiritual life of the Western world. Composed in the Near East twenty-five to thirty centuries ago, they are still read or sung by Jews as well as Christians of all denominations. What is the secret of their vitality? How do the Psalms continue to offer a wisdom for living and a consolation for dying? Dr. Terrien here gives the twofold reason for their enduring power. The psalmists belonged to a nation born to be the servant of the Lord. They placed God at the center of their existence and held that life on earth is not worth living unless it is related properly to the creator of the universe, the giver of life, the master of nature, and the judge and savior of humanity in history. What they said is particularly relevant today, for in times of cultural decay and military disasters they found that human existence, in spite of its trials and madness, remains a truly worthwhile experience. They faced the agony of national disintegration and of personal death, and yet they were singing. The psalmists praised God and prayed to Him, not only as people of faith but also as poets. They formulated their faith with a sublime diction that remains powerful in spite of the obscurities of language and the awkwardness of translation. Dr. Terrien shows how these poets captured in words certain dimensions of truth and beauty which defy ordinary expression, and why through the marriage of thought and poetic emotion they were able to carry their impact to us across the barriers of time and tongue. This book illustrates how best to reap the wisdom and consolation of the Psalms so that we too may understand their meaning for today.

Their Original Purpose, Contents, Religious Truth, Poetic Beauty And Significance.

This book is written to reawaken awareness of both the beauty of the psalms and their ability to speak with relevance to our contemporary culture--a generation in danger of losing the psalmist’s voice. It is written for those who may have felt marginalized by church or society, whether from loss, tragedy, illness, or misuse of power. May this generation hear the voice of the psalmist pointing them to a God who desires honest expression, who comes close to listen to their cries, and points them to a deeper understanding of who he is and how he loves. May the words of the psalmist lead them out of isolation and into authentic community. The author’s approach to the psalms begins with recognition of the intertwining of imagery with the literary structure of the poetry found in the psalms. The imagery in the psalms comes from an earthy connection of the psalmist with the land of scripture. Understanding the imagery allows the reader to “see” the psalms and receive the message. It deepens the relevance of the psalms to speak into the myriad contexts in our present day multi-cultural world. Recognition of the religious and social dynamics of ancient Israelite life--such as kingship, Zion as a place of God’s presence, and the covenant relationship of a people with their God--provide further clues to understanding the message of the psalms. Along with the rich imagery present in the psalms, this book explores the literary structure of the poetry in the psalms. Recognition of key characteristics of Hebrew poetry allows the words to “sing.” In every psalm a vivid echo of ancient voices resounds, building century upon century of expression, reaching into the present. If one reads carefully, the melodies and message can be heard. The music of the psalms breathe with life and relevance. Psalms are filled with movement to hope and praise. Yet, they address the reality that life at times hurts. The psalmist gives honest voice to pain and affirms God’s presence in the darkest moments of life. This book explores the importance of lament both individually and in community as a vehicle to healing and a deeper understanding of God’s care. The book closes with an examination of five select psalms that are representative of different types of psalms found in the psalter. They were chosen because of personal relevance. Through imagery, structure, and voice the psalms convey movement from honest expression to hope. Hope leads to thanksgiving. Praise resounds because of who God is and how he cares.

There is nothing that can speak to the Christian’s heart quite like the Psalms. These cherished songs lead us into worship, guide our lament, and teach us to pray. But they are even more vibrant when we understand the context, author’s intent, and recognize what this means for our lives today. This is what the best preachers do, but you don’t have to wait until Sunday’s sermon. Encounter the beautiful depth of Psalms through an enlightening chapter-by-chapter commentary from Robert L. Alden that’s both straightforward and insightful. This single-volume commentary is helpfully divided into three thought-provoking sections: Songs of Devotion Songs of Dedication Songs of Discipleship You don’t have to go to seminary to encounter God in exciting, new ways through His Word. Discover how much more enjoyable your personal study will be with understandable, quality Bible commentary for everyday life.

What would the psalm writers say if they lived in modern times? What words would they use to express their prayers? "Psalms Now" captures the meaning of the psalms for today.

Enrich Your Understanding of the Book of Psalms with Rose’s Psalms ebook. Explore this most beloved book, by learning the who, what, when and where about these favorite Bible passages. Discover the 10 different types of Psalms from Psalms of Lament to Psalms of Thanksgiving, and learn how to effectively read these beautiful scriptures. This Psalms Bible study covers the basics everyone should know in order to fully unlock, appreciate, and learn from these heart-filled cries.Includes a great background summary of the Book of PsalmsCovers the 5 major and 5 minor Types of Bible PsalmsExplains 3 key characteristics of Hebrew poetryProvides 3 practical ways of reading the Book of PsalmsFeatures helpful charts that give tons of facts at a glanceShares insightful commentary on popular Psalms, such as Psalm 13, 23, and 100Check Out These 6 Fantastic Features of The Psalm Bible StudyIncludes a great background summary of the Book of Psalms, covering the—Cultural and Historical Background of the Book of PsalmsAuthors of Psalms from David to Korah and more!Dates of the PsalmsStructure and division of the Psalms into specific collections/books.Purpose of biblical PsalmsCovers the 5 major and 5 minor Types of Bible Psalms: Most of the time we read the psalms in a devotional way. But, sometimes we may want to explore a given psalm more deeply. Knowing the type or genre of a Psalm sheds light upon its purpose and meaning. This handy ebook describes the different types of Psalms and gives sample verses for each, such as the hymn of praise, psalms of lament, songs of thanksgiving, and more. Perfect for Bible study, adult Sunday school lessons, and homeschool curriculum.Explains 3 Key Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry: Learn how to read, experience, and appreciate the Psalms as beautiful poetry. In this section, the Psalms ebook describes, explains, and provides examples of the different types of poetic techniques used, such as terseness and parallelism. Find out the 3 different types of parallelism used throughout the Psalms and how they affect the Psalms meaning.Provides 3 practical ways to read the Book of Psalms: Learn 3 ways to read the Psalms and the unique benefits for each method. Includes how to read it devotionally, theologically, and communally.Features helpful Psalms Comparison Charts that Give Tons of Facts at a Glance: This ebook includes visual aids that give you loads of information at a glance. Includes handy charts on how the Psalms were collected into different books, how the Psalms foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, and more!Shares insightful commentary on popular Psalms, such as Psalm 13, Psalm 23, and Psalm 100: Gives a brief explanation and commentary on some of the most popular Psalms. Plus, it gives key historical insights on each and shows how to apply the Psalms to our lives today.The book of Psalms can transform our minds by teaching us new and exciting things about our awesome God; it can transform our hearts by giving us words to understand strong and complex feelings; and it can transform our spirits by pointing us to the right way to praise God through our words and actions. Learn more the beloved Psalms with this amazing study!