The Message of the Psalms (Augsburg Old Testament Studies)

It was hard to read for me but a well of information. This is not a book that you are going to read in one sitting

Dr. Walter Brueggemann, Old Testament professor/mentor/friend, taught this material at Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, Missouri and later as a continuing education workshop in Florida. This is, in my judgment, the best work done on the Psalms and I use it as the basic text in my course in Florida Christian University/Theological Seminary on "The Psalms and Counseling". Not only does Brueggeman categorize the Psalms into "Orientation", "Disorientation", and "New Orientation" (an improvement on "Reinorientation" as a type), but he also helps us have a psychological perspective on these psalms and their uses within the church and our personal appropriation/and belief systems. This helps us find our route through disorientation and depression on into new orientation and joyful health.

I was loaned this book at a very difficult time in my life. I could no longer trust a God who had allowed my son to die. But by no longer conversing with God, I also lost my source of sustenance and renewal.This book describes how the Psalms document the changes/seasons of a believing community's life of faith: a movement of faith from orientation to disorientation to a new orientation.It helped me to understand that my relationship with God changes with my experiences of life. And that although I may be experiencing a period of disorientation in respect to God, eventually I will arrive at a new orientation, as did the people of Israel.