Popular since its original publication more than 25 years ago, Leonard Cohen's classic book of contemporary psalms is now beautifully repackaged. <...
read full description
reviews
May 14, 2009
Erin
rated it: 
Cohen sings from the gap. He knows exactly what his pain is all about, but that doesn't stop him from feeling it. He prays to a masculine God, which does not resonate so much for me, personally, but he is a Jewish man who believes in the Judeo-Christian divinity, and he sure isn't alone in that so I can't really fault him. My favorite verse from the collection is #27 which starts, "Israel, and you who call yourself Israel, the Church that calls itself Israel, and the revolt that calls itsel
More...
Oct 11, 2010
Jon
rated it:
The psalm is sung to that Other we will never know. The knowledge of its imparting is sorrow and joy. It tells us only of what we cannot say, what will be revealed only when there is little left of us to know. The burning bush gave something that was not a psalm because Moses carried the tablets down and the people learned the meaning of fear. The other side of that same currency is where the psalm tunes its harp. These are ancient currencies, beyond the clock’s tock, the heart’s closing More...
Mar 08, 2009
Cassie
rated it: 
This is a book of psalms, although it wasn't what I expected. I read it all of the way through and started to read it again. The writing is very rich with layers of meaning, like poetry. Some of it is a bit obscure for me, but overall I like it.
Jun 02, 2008
Greg
rated it: 
Some of Leonard's prose is great (of course), but I really dislike his approach to his own spirituality in this book. It seems a bit weak.
I'm surprised by this, because compared to what he wrote before, I thought he would've known better. Maybe it was a mid-life crisis. I think that melancholy and religion don't mix well... it turns into something too emo.
I rate this two stars because I like the hearts on the book cover.
I'm surprised by this, because compared to what he wrote before, I thought he would've known better. Maybe it was a mid-life crisis. I think that melancholy and religion don't mix well... it turns into something too emo.
I rate this two stars because I like the hearts on the book cover.
Jan 16, 2008
Alicia
rated it:
this book recently saved me from......well lets just same that his reworking of psalms speaks directly to the hungers and grace that finds my soul. Even if you are not a fan musically (I'm not much of one) you can gain from it.
Jan 23, 2008
Janet
rated it: 
I used to leave this book in my car so when I was stuck I could pull it out and read something. Just pick a page. Then the laundry detergent decided to swallow it with sticky goo and I had to bury it properly.
Mar 13, 2007
Rustam
rated it:
Absolutely beautiful prose poetry about the difficulties of faith. If you like his music, and you can tolerate a plethora of Biblical references, you'll enjoy this book quite a bit. He got me through college.
Jun 14, 2008
shyla
rated it:
absolutely beautiful. Its been a long time since i read it but it was fantastic. A really quick read and good to pick up and start from anywhere in the book.
May 08, 2011
Amy
rated it:
Dear Leonard,
I knew you were an amazing poet and without-par musician, but I had no idea that you also had a gig as the Holy Spirit.
Love,
amy
I knew you were an amazing poet and without-par musician, but I had no idea that you also had a gig as the Holy Spirit.
Love,
amy
Jun 13, 2008
Sara
rated it:
Poetry/short essays about Cohen's search for higher power. Kinda boring. Book of Longing is 1000 times better, as is his songwriting.
Mar 23, 2007
New Psalms written with bitterness, solitude, and reverance. An attempt at a Unified Heart.
Feb 09, 2012
Feb 07, 2012
Jan 28, 2012
Jan 26, 2012
Jan 22, 2012
Jan 20, 2012
