Psalms: Psalms 42-89 - Hardcover

by John Goldingay (Author), Tremper Longman (Editor)

The second of a three-volume commentary on the book of Psalms in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms series.

Front Jacket

Once again, John Goldingay has given us exemplary scholarship that will serve both church and academy very well indeed. The commentary is filled with mature theological insights, fresh ideas, and thoughtful reflections for contemporary appropriation.
--Terence E. Fretheim, Elva B. Lovell Professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary

"Pastors will benefit from Goldingay's lucid discussion of interpretive issues, which is always informed by the faith of the church. Scholars will be well served by the insightful textual notes and extensive bibliography. In sum, this volume is a welcome resource for the study of the Psalms from which many different readers may glean."
--Jerome F. D. Creach, Robert C. Holland Professor of Old Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

"John Goldingay has come to this commentary after extensive work in other areas of biblical study. He has written a major commentary that incorporates solid, mainline scholarship, and it belongs with leading commentaries on the Psalter. His readers will find him to be a competent, mature, and careful guide in interpreting the Psalms. I recommend his work, and I look forward to further commentary from him."
--Marvin E. Tate, senior professor of Old Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

The Book of Psalms is the Bible's book of prayer and praise that provides us with language and guidance for our communion with God. It provides a vital link between humanity and God--a link that we ignore to our impoverishment, says John Goldingay.

In this volume, Goldingay seeks to let the Psalms speak their own message and address Christian thinking, theology, and spirituality without being subjugated to a particular way of reading the New Testament. Each chapter of the commentary proper contains the author's translation of the psalm, showing in English some of the salient features of the Hebrew text. An interpretation of the psalm, section by section, follows. Goldingay concludes each chapter with theological reflection that helps readers discover the contemporary relevance of the message of each psalm. The book also includes a glossary of the vocabulary of Psalms 42-89, noting how certain words are used to convey critical concepts. This insightful commentary will bring the Psalms to life for a new generation of students.

Back Jacket

In the second volume of his three-volume commentary on the book of Psalms, Old Testament scholar John Goldingay provides fresh commentary on Psalms 42-89. Writing with a scholar's eye and a pastor's heart, he considers the literary, historical, and grammatical dimensions of the text as well as its theological implications.

This is the fourth volume in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms series, which is tailored to the distinctives of poetry and Wisdom literature. The series features emphasis on the message of the biblical book; special attention to poetic structure and literary devices; incisive comments based on the author's translation of the Hebrew text; exegetical rigor that incorporates linguistic, historical, and canonical insights; closing reflections on each section that explore the text's theological dimensions; and textual notes that highlight important features of the Hebrew text.

"[Goldingay] bring[s] texts alive for readers today. . . . His considerable scholarship opens the Psalms in the service of theological and ethical reflection and of the spiritual life. Literary and verbal features of the texts appear in clear, digestible amounts, and Goldingay's theological reflections make the book a valuable resource."
--Kathleen O'Connor, Christian Century

"One of our premier interpreters, John Goldingay, offers here a comprehensive treatment of the Psalms. Rarely does one find such a combination of close attention to grammatical and syntactical features joined with literary sensitivity, and all of it aimed at theological appropriation of the Psalms. Don't be surprised to find Anne Lamott alongside Luther, Calvin, Aquinas, and Isaac Watts. A basic resource for studying the Psalms."
--Patrick D. Miller, professor of Old Testament theology emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary

"A fine commentary that combines excellent scholarship and deep, practical spiritual reflection. Readers will find it to be an invaluable resource for their own life-journeys, not least in the constructive challenge it presents to some modern Christian understandings of biblical spirituality."
--Iain Provan, Marshall Sheppard Professor of Biblical Studies, Regent College

Author Biography

John Goldingay (PhD, University of Nottingham) is David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of numerous books and articles, including Old Testament Theology and commentaries on Daniel and Isaiah.

About the Series Editor
Tremper Longman III (PhD, Yale University) is the Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College. He has authored or coauthored more than twenty books.