Praying the Psalms

"...is like visiting a foreign country, and the author guides us through this ancient landscape with insight and clarity... Brueggemann shows us the Psalter as a book of life expressing in poetic form both the reality of life and the reality of faithful relationship to God." -- Thomas Kelly This book invites us to discover in the Psalms a way of getting in touch with, affirming, and expressing our life experiences. In order to pray the Psalm, two things are necessary: the Psalms themselves, and honest recognition and acceptance of our own story. This book is a guide to making the connection between these two elements.

Very insightful. Gives new meaning and depth to the Psalms. Highly recommended for those who want to understand the Psalms better, particularly if they are a regular part of your worship service and prayer time.

This short, poignant, simple introduction to Praying the Psalms gives rare insights into the scholarly yet practical intro to many Psalms. I am familiar with the larger books from his pen: The Message of the Psalms, Psalms and the Life of Faith, Israel's Praise, Finally Comes the Poet. They each have their place in his progressive study of the Psalms. None are quite so direcly pointed to the power of his orientation, disorientation, reorientation in the movement of life. None are quite so simply focused upon the strength of the Psalms to relate their inherent "abiding astonishment" to the nuturing of good Pastoral Care. This latest poignant reflection of Brueggemann gives us the pocket-size version of his distilled insights into the Praying of the Psalms. I love to use it frequently and with results! Chaplain Freed W Hood