Psalms In Clear English

The ideas and emotions that make the book of Psalms such a powerful text for Judaism and Christianity alike are brilliantly captured in this deft translation by a scholar of Judaism. Aaron Lichtenstein offers the English translation in verse, just as the original Hebrew text is in poetry, in the various poetic modes required by the myriad moods and messages. Readers will be moved by the inspiring words of the Psalms in this essential resource.

The Book of Proverbs has nine concomitants (related mysteries bundled together in a group). The tenth is found in the Book of Psalms [77:19-22]. Below are the four verses proverbialized:There are three things the Lord has given us-no four-The Way hidden within the expanse of the sea,His Path made smooth through mighty waters,Footprints showing He always was and always will be there with us,and finally a Shepherd for His flock. It is the author's hope, that the increased understanding of the psalms imparted by this book will enhance your sanctification for "the tasks God has set before you" so you can preach the Kingdom of God and teach the glories of His Messiah. On the front cover, David is shown revering the "glorious things prophesied of the City of God" (Ps 87:3), which is the New Jerusalem as the heart of the Kingdom of God.

"A new, poetic translation of the Book of Psalms faces the Masoretic Hebrew text. A running textual commentary takes us inside the translation process. A second, spiritual commentary connects each psalm to the events, struggles, and triumphs in our spiritual lives"--

During the Reformation, the Book of Psalms became one of the most well-known books of the Bible. This was particularly true in Britain, where people of all ages, social classes and educational abilities memorized and sang poetic versifications of the psalms. Those written by Thomas Sternhold and John Hopkins became the most popular, and the simple tunes developed and used by English and Scottish churches to accompany these texts were carried by soldiers, sailors and colonists throughout the English-speaking world. Among these tunes were a number that are still used today, including ‘Old Hundredth’, ‘Martyrs’, and ‘French’. This book is the first to consider both English and Scottish metrical psalmody, comparing the two traditions in print and practice. It combines theological literary and musical analysis to reveal new and ground-breaking connections between the psalm texts and their tunes, which it traces in the English and Scottish psalters printed through 1640. Using this new analysis in combination with a more thorough evaluation of extant church records, Duguid contends that Britain developed and maintained two distinct psalm cultures, one in England and the other in Scotland.

In his brilliant new translation of one of the Bibles most cherished and powerful books, Alter captures the simplicity, physicality, and coiled rhythmic power of the Hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these ancient poems.