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The Psalms as Christian Worship: An Historical Commentary

James M. Houston & Bruce K. Waltke

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0802863744
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Eerdmans; 1st edition (Nov. 22 2010)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 640 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780802863744
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802863744
Item weight ‏ : ‎ 885 g
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.6 x 4.06 x 23.39 cm

About the Book

This collaboration by two esteemed evangelical scholars blends a verse-by-verse exposition of select psalms with a history of their interpretation in the church from the time of the apostles to the present.

Bruce Waltke, who has been teaching and preaching the book of Psalms for over fifty years, skillfully establishes the meaning of the Hebrew text through the careful exegesis for which he is well known. James Houston traces the church's historical interpretation and use of these psalms, highlighting their deep spiritual significance to Christians through the ages.

Waltke and Houston focus their in-depth commentary on thirteen psalms that represent various genres and perspectives or hold special significance for Christian faith and the life of the church, including Psalm 1, Psalm 23, Psalm 51, and Psalm 139.

While much modern scholarship has tended to "despiritualize" the Psalms, Waltke and Houston's "sacred hermeneutic" listens closely to the two voices of the Holy Spirit -- heard infallibly in Scripture and edifyingly in the church's response. A masterly historical-devotional commentary, The Psalms as Christian Worship will deepen the church's worship and enrich the faith and life of contemporary Christians.

Table of Contents 

I. Commentary's History
II. Commentary's Objective: An Apologia
III. Commentary's Scholarly Context
IV. Commentary's Arrangement


1. Survey of Second Temple Period Interpretation of the Psalms
2. Historical Introduction to the Interpretation of the Psalms in Church Orthodoxy
3. History of Interpretation Since the Reformation: "Accredited Exegesis"
4. Psalm 1: The Rewarded Life
5. Psalm 2: Ask of Me, My Son
6. Psalm 3: Living in the Borderland: Morning Prayer After a Dark Night
7. Psalm 4: An Evening Prayer in Crisis
8. Psalm 8: I AM Rules Through "Infants"
9. Psalm 15: A Liturgical Decalogue
10. Psalm 16: My Body Will Not Decay
11. Psalm 19: A Royal Sage Praises and Petitions I AM
12. Psalm 22: Prophetic Psalm of Christ's Passion
13. Psalm 23: The Good Shepherd
14. Psalm 51: "The Psalm of All Psalms" in Penitential Devotion
15. Psalm 110: "Sit at My Right Hand"
16. Psalm 139: Search Me, God


Glossary
Index of Authors
Index of Subjects
Index of Scripture References

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