Reading the Psalms Again for the First Time: A Spirituality for Justice-Seekers and Peacemakers

by J Clinton McCann

118 pages, Paperback

Published September 19, 2024

Reviews

[Jonathan Heaslet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many people of faith turn to the Psalms for the prayers of praise, petition, lament, and thanksgiving. With further study are discerned enthronement psalms, pilgrimages to Jerusalem, and songs of Zion for example. Dr. McCann challenges the reader to move beyond the reading of psalms as person-centered to see them as God-centered. He begins with the proposition that the most significant of the psalms is #82 (the only psalm with a plot or narrative). Psalm 82 provides a fundamental criterion for judging divinity — and it is not omniscience, omnipresence, or omnipotence. It is justice! From this beginning, McCann leads the reader through the psalms as vital sources of revelation of God as source and advocate of justice, righteousness, and peace (shalom). Even Psalm 23, “The LORD is my shepherd…” can be seen through a God-political lens, because if we proclaim the LORD to be our shepherd, that means enemies, tyrants, and oppressors are not. An excellent read. Highly recommend.

[Aaron Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been lucky to attend Clinys seminary classes, so I'm well accustomed to the content of this book. But as with his classes, there are always some wonderful savory gyms that open up the psalms for you in new ways.