Psalms 1-50

Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible

by Ellen T. Charry, William Brown (Foreword)

The biblical psalms are perhaps the most commented-upon texts in human history. They are at once deeply alluring and deeply troubling. In this addition to the acclaimed Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible, Ellen Charry offers a theological reading of Psalms 1–50, exploring the various voices in the poems to discern the conversation they engage about God, suffering, and hope as well as ways of community belonging. The commentary examines the context of the psalms as worship—tending to both their original setting and their subsequent Jewish and Christian appropriation—and explores the psychological dynamics facing the speaker. The book includes a foreword by William Brown.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2015

About the author

Ellen T. Charry (PhD, Temple University) is Margaret W. Harmon Professor of Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. She is the author of several books, including God and the Art of Happiness, and serves as an editor-at-large for the Christian Century.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good for me to spend the extra time with these psalms even if Charry is not the guide I would want. Brazos commentary authors can be really hit-or-miss.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't read it cover-to-cover, but it was a helpful resource while reading through the Psalms.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a commentary on the first 50 Psalms. It provides some good insights, but doesn't get into the overall themes of the book. It would also help if the author had put the text of each Psalm at the beginning of the chapter, so that the reader could refer to it.