Psalms

Description

The psalms are masterful poems that echo the tenors of community life and worship as they project the scope of the human drama from lament to praise. They chart a profound and vital relationship with God, with all the ups and downs that this relationship implies. Konrad Schaefer's concise commentary on the psalms relates their poetic elements while respecting their historical context and traditional use in the liturgy and, more importantly, their ultimate value as a springboard to private and communal prayer. In Psalms, Schaefer focuses on the structure of each psalm, its dramatic plot, the modes of discourse, the rhetorical features, and the effective use of imagery to portray theology and the spiritual life. Schaefer portrays each poem's inner dynamic to acquaint readers with the poet and the community which prayed and preserved the composition, allowing the believer to transpose it in the contemporary situation. Psalms is for those who would like to pray the psalms with more intensity of meaning; for those willing to touch the biblical world and taste of its fruit in the Word of God; and for devoted readers of the Bible to become more expert as it helps experts become more devoted. - Publisher.

Description

This book offers a unique focus on the Psalms for the English-reading world. Konrad Schaefer presents a mental snapshot of each psalm, then zeroes in on the contours of the poetry, the phrases and images that risk being lost on the reader who approaches the psalms in translation. The commentary identifies the dynamics of the poetic discourse to enhance the reader's appreciation of the rhetoric and imagery, which are major keys to unlocking the meaning of the psalms. With these literary observations the reader can enter each psalm and reflect on the environment and aspects of personal life and faith that the poet projects. By isolating the inner dynamics of the poem, Schaefer provides insight and invites the reader to enjoy the poem and the prayer.

First Sentence

The word torah (translated "law," v. 2) refers to the story of God's actions to create a people and guide them into the future, as described in Genesis and the first chapters of Exodus.

Subjects

Series Statement

• Berit Olam Series