Previously, I posted about reading “Reflections on the Psalms” by C. S. Lewis as the first book I’m reading as an addition to my daily morning devotions of the book Psalms in the Holy Bible. I’m curious about what others are saying about their studies and takeaways. The devotional I’m studying is a four-year plan but I’m wanting to shorten it in about two years tops-maybe. So far, I’m really enjoying the pace of the four-year plan as I get deeper into the context. We will see how it goes! The three books below are the ones I want to get to next and they’re not in any particular order. I did add praise for “Praise for Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends” by Carmen Joy Imes because she is among my top favorite Old Testament Biblical Scholars.

Stephanie

Psalms 1–72: A Pastoral and Contextual Commentary by Federico G. Villanueva

There is a second volume of the Psalms from this author to complete the commentary on the whole book.

The Asia Bible Commentary series empowers Christian believers in Asia to read the Bible from within their respective contexts. Holistic in its approach to the text, each exposition of the biblical books combines exegesis and application. e ultimate goal is to strengthen the Body of Christ in Asia by providing pastoral and contextual exposition of every book of the Bible.

This commentary on Psalms 1-72 provides an exposition that the reader can engage with in their own community of faith in the Asian cultural context. Along with a commentary on each Psalm, Dr. Federico Villanueva provides cultural reflections on a wide variety of relevant topics that include the likes of lament, praise, creation, meditation, depression and natural phenomena. This commentary is an excellent resource for pastors, lay leaders and Bible students but will also be useful and relevant for any Christian committed to applying the Bible in their respective contexts.

Praying the Psalms, Second Edition: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit by Walter Brueggemann

In this thoroughly revised edition of a classic in spirituality, Walter Brueggemann guides the reader into a thoughtful and moving encounter with the Psalms. This new edition includes a revised text, new notes, and new bibliography. “The movement and meeting of God with us is indeed a speech-event in which new humanness is evoked among us. Being attentive to language means cultivating the candid imagination to bring our own experience to the Psalms and permitting it to be disciplined by the speech of the Psalms. And, conversely, it means letting the Psalms address us and having that language reshape our sensitivities and fill our minds with new pictures and images that may redirect our lives” -from Chapter 3

Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

by Carmen Joy Imes

The Psalms teach us how to pray. Many saints over the past three millennia have come near to God by praying the Psalms, and this volume introduces us to some of their greatest thoughts on them.

Covering all 150 psalms, this companion to the “Prayer book of the Bible” contains key devotional readings from the Great Tradition as well as space for journaling our own prayers. This book will help us learn to pray as Jesus prayed—after all, He quoted from the Psalms more often than any other book.

Praise for Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

“For centuries, the Psalms have been the lifeblood of the church’s worship, witness, and soul care. In this volume, Imes invites readers to engage this life-giving book alongside their fathers and mothers in the faith . . . The nuggets of wisdom here should direct readers to engage the world of early Christian theology further, where they will find faithful friends and wise guides on the road of discipleship.”

Stephen T. Pardue, PhD,

Assistant Professor of Theology,

International Graduate School of Leadership (Philippines), Asia Graduate School of Theology (Philippines)

“This book will help you to re-hear the Psalms as you pray through them with the saints of old. It is a book to carry around with your Bible, to savor slowly with your morning coffee . . . It will touch your prayer life and calm your soul.”

Donald M. Fairbairn, Jr., PhD,

Academic Dean (Charlotte Campus),

Robert E. Cooley Professor of Early Christianity,

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

“What a delight to read the Psalms in the company of the righteous! . . . The pithy and apt extracts from these scholars give extra insights for our daily meditation. I am looking forward to using this book!”

Jill Firth, PhD,

Lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew,

Ridley College (Melbourne)