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Christ in the Psalms
The Psalms run like a golden thread through the beautiful garment of Orthodox worship. In addition to inspiring the public prayer of the church, the Psalms are an indispensable part of the private devotions of all who seek a closer relationship with God.Most important, however, the Psalms point toward the ultimate liberation of humanity from sin, death and despair through Jesus Christ.Father Pat Reardon, drawing on his long experience as an Episcopal, and then as a priest in the Orthodox Church, has produced a work of depth and devotion. He rightly understands that one cannot truly probe the deep meaning of the Psalms unless one understands them in the light of the redemption brought by Christ...He provides the fresh and intensely personal insights of a pastor to the study of the Book of Psalms."Every now and then a book comes along that is a small classic. Here is such a elegantly written, deceptively simple, and utterly absorbing."Father Addison Hart, Priest, Newman Center, Northern Illinois University
338 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2000
142 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Henry Reardon
16 books36 followersPatrick Henry Reardon is pastor of All Saints' Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois, and a senior editor of Touchstone magazine.
Father Patrick was educated at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY), St. Anselm's College (Rome), The Pontifical Biblical Institute (Rome), and St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary (South Canaan, PA).
He has authored many books including: Christ in the Psalms, Christ in His Saints, The Trial of Job: Orthodox Christian Reflections on the Book of Job, Chronicles of History and Worship: Orthodox Christian Reflections on the Books of Chronicles, and Creation and the Patriarchal Histories: Orthodox Reflections on the Book of Genesis.
In addition, Father Patrick has published over a thousand articles, editorials, and reviews, in "Books and Culture", "Touchstone", "The Scottish Journal of Theology", "The Catholic Biblical Quarterly", "Pro Ecclesia", "St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly", and other journals on three continents over the past forty-plus years.
Father Patrick was educated at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY), St. Anselm's College (Rome), The Pontifical Biblical Institute (Rome), and St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary (South Canaan, PA).
He has authored many books including: Christ in the Psalms, Christ in His Saints, The Trial of Job: Orthodox Christian Reflections on the Book of Job, Chronicles of History and Worship: Orthodox Christian Reflections on the Books of Chronicles, and Creation and the Patriarchal Histories: Orthodox Reflections on the Book of Genesis.
In addition, Father Patrick has published over a thousand articles, editorials, and reviews, in "Books and Culture", "Touchstone", "The Scottish Journal of Theology", "The Catholic Biblical Quarterly", "Pro Ecclesia", "St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly", and other journals on three continents over the past forty-plus years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 14, 2020
I first read this right after it was published (and I see in the reviews that has been republished with a revised introduction.) It is an excellent discussion of the way that the psalms are used in the cycle of prayers, in the hymnography, and in our personal prayers. Wonderful thoughts and clear and concise explanations. I would read one psalm explanation, read the psalm, then read the next psalm, and go back and read the second explanation. I found this a good way to not get bogged down and to ponder all day.
December 22, 2020
I don't think I will be able to give an adequate review of this book. It is helpful, insightful, engaging. Fr. Patrick gives an explanation of why the Psalms are numbered differently in the East than in the West that I finally understand. He is clearly comfortable with Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, as well as ancient history and popular culture. His biblical knowledge is vast. Yet for all his scholarship, the writing is often witty, and the reader senses his great faith. The book discusses every Psalm in about one and two-thirds pages each. Even the seemingly remotest, most inaccessible psalms--the ones where you might think, "What on earth am I supposed to do with that? What is this thing even talking about?"--he is able to relate to Christ, and it is not forced or far-fetched. Christ is indeed in the Psalms, every single one of them. Fr. Patrick explains the proper way to pray the Psalms. He very gently encourages the reader by pointing out which Psalms are best to memorize and say in the morning and evening. He explains both the Eastern and Western historical usage of each Psalm, which makes this book appropriate for Christians of all backgrounds and greatly enhances its appeal. I am left not only with a much greater appreciation of the Psalms, but also a deeper understanding of my faith. What a treasure!
October 7, 2023
I would invite anyone into Reardon’s contagious delight in reading, nay, singing the Psalms. “God is to be praised by every sort of sound, that every conceivable formulation of our throat and tongue and lips is to be directed to the divine glory, that no kind of intonation should be deprived of His presence” (p. 289). Furthermore, I would urge any Christian to heed Reardon’s advice on meditating and praying the Psalms: “The goal is to make the words, images, ideas, and sentiments of the Psalms part of our own inner world of thought and resolve”. (p. xii).
Rev. Patrick Reardon, archpriest in the Antiochian Orthodox Church, has an adroit exegetical skill to help the reader understand the Psalms as the witness to Jesus, risen from the dead, the object of our praise, as in the first Psalm, which “finds its meaning only in Him. Christ is the one who fulfills it, and He is the key to its understanding” (p. 2) Again in Psalm 148, Reardon leads us to Jesus: “Truly the “Lord” being praised in each verse of this palm is the risen Jesus, whose victory over death constitutes the final vindication of the created order itself (p. 298).
I hate to complain at all about this work, but many of us Christians of other traditions will be puzzled by the difficult numbering of the Psalms. Reardon follows the Septuagint’s numbering. This volume includes a chart to map the differences in labeling the Psalms on p. 305. This reader still has not found it effortless to cipher which Psalm Reardon is talking about.
A word of caution may be in order for some of the more superstitious notions Reardon presents, like praying for the dead (p.259), and the medieval monastic pattern of life that exempted the person from the joys and responsibilities of life in the neighborhood. But even at these points where the reader hesitates to wholeheartedly agree, Reardon can still follow up with a lovely meditation on the true Gospel of Christ, as when he describes the monastic life and prayers under the heading of Psalm 129 or 130 (or so), saying “This merciful redemption is that of the “evening sacrifice,” which we daily remember at Vespers, that salvific raising of Christ’s hands in prayer on the Cross when He paid the purchase of the world. It was in the evening sacrifice, offered while the world was plunged in a darkness that started at noon, that the Father “delievered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). This is the vesperal mercy and the copious redemption in which, at the end of the day, we place all our hope (p. 260).
Well written. Well proclaimed.
Rev. Patrick Reardon, archpriest in the Antiochian Orthodox Church, has an adroit exegetical skill to help the reader understand the Psalms as the witness to Jesus, risen from the dead, the object of our praise, as in the first Psalm, which “finds its meaning only in Him. Christ is the one who fulfills it, and He is the key to its understanding” (p. 2) Again in Psalm 148, Reardon leads us to Jesus: “Truly the “Lord” being praised in each verse of this palm is the risen Jesus, whose victory over death constitutes the final vindication of the created order itself (p. 298).
I hate to complain at all about this work, but many of us Christians of other traditions will be puzzled by the difficult numbering of the Psalms. Reardon follows the Septuagint’s numbering. This volume includes a chart to map the differences in labeling the Psalms on p. 305. This reader still has not found it effortless to cipher which Psalm Reardon is talking about.
A word of caution may be in order for some of the more superstitious notions Reardon presents, like praying for the dead (p.259), and the medieval monastic pattern of life that exempted the person from the joys and responsibilities of life in the neighborhood. But even at these points where the reader hesitates to wholeheartedly agree, Reardon can still follow up with a lovely meditation on the true Gospel of Christ, as when he describes the monastic life and prayers under the heading of Psalm 129 or 130 (or so), saying “This merciful redemption is that of the “evening sacrifice,” which we daily remember at Vespers, that salvific raising of Christ’s hands in prayer on the Cross when He paid the purchase of the world. It was in the evening sacrifice, offered while the world was plunged in a darkness that started at noon, that the Father “delievered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). This is the vesperal mercy and the copious redemption in which, at the end of the day, we place all our hope (p. 260).
Well written. Well proclaimed.
May 1, 2024
“It is the profound Christian persuasion that Christ walks within the Psalms, and this is the reason that the Book of Psalms is the Old Testament book most often quoted in the New Testament. When He opened their eyes to the meaning of Holy Scripture, the risen Lord explained to His disciples the things concerning Himself "in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms" (Luke 24:44)…Christ is the referential center of the Book of Psalms.
Even in speaking to one another, Christians invoke the psalms Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Christian lips readily break forth with the words of the Psalter, because the Christian heart meditates on the psalms day and night.
Ultimately, the words of the psalms are the mighty name of Jesus broken down into its component parts. Thus has it always been.”
There’s no possible way for my words to do adequate justice to the brilliance and profundity of this book. “Christ in the Psalms” is absolutely fantastic. There honestly isn’t a single dull page in it. Every psalm is packed with so much richness and meaning as I never realized before. It was only natural that I pair this book with a full readthrough and study of the Book of Psalms. Also, a fun fact: Patrick Henry Reardon is my great uncle Pat! He’s written several other books which I’m very eager to explore and enjoy. What a wonderful introduction to the depth and Biblically sound analysis of his writings. There are just far too many profound quotes to cite in a mere review. I smiled, I laughed, I cried, and I felt awe as I read through this book.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my study of the Book of Psalms over the last six months. There were many days when I didn’t read Psalms for a variety of reasons; with more consistency and discipline, I could’ve finished this book in four months if I read one psalm every day. But the Lord used this book to guide my study of His Word alongside revealing His truths Himself, according to His timing and my steady reading and reflecting. I have been humbled by learning so much I did not know about the Book of Psalms.
I urge every serious Christian to pick up this book and enjoy it slowly. It will likely remain a faithful companion to me on my shelf for the remaining years of my earthly life. Praise the Lord!
Even in speaking to one another, Christians invoke the psalms Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Christian lips readily break forth with the words of the Psalter, because the Christian heart meditates on the psalms day and night.
Ultimately, the words of the psalms are the mighty name of Jesus broken down into its component parts. Thus has it always been.”
There’s no possible way for my words to do adequate justice to the brilliance and profundity of this book. “Christ in the Psalms” is absolutely fantastic. There honestly isn’t a single dull page in it. Every psalm is packed with so much richness and meaning as I never realized before. It was only natural that I pair this book with a full readthrough and study of the Book of Psalms. Also, a fun fact: Patrick Henry Reardon is my great uncle Pat! He’s written several other books which I’m very eager to explore and enjoy. What a wonderful introduction to the depth and Biblically sound analysis of his writings. There are just far too many profound quotes to cite in a mere review. I smiled, I laughed, I cried, and I felt awe as I read through this book.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my study of the Book of Psalms over the last six months. There were many days when I didn’t read Psalms for a variety of reasons; with more consistency and discipline, I could’ve finished this book in four months if I read one psalm every day. But the Lord used this book to guide my study of His Word alongside revealing His truths Himself, according to His timing and my steady reading and reflecting. I have been humbled by learning so much I did not know about the Book of Psalms.
I urge every serious Christian to pick up this book and enjoy it slowly. It will likely remain a faithful companion to me on my shelf for the remaining years of my earthly life. Praise the Lord!
March 27, 2025
Admittedly, I have not read it cover to cover. I’ve spot read this as I pray through the Psalms. I have read many of the devotions in this book and some of them multiple times but have not kept track. It is truly a treat! Highly recommend to all.
January 1, 2024
Christ in the Psalms is a book that literally shows how to see Christ in the Psalms 😄
It has been a great daily 3 minute companion for me for the past five months.
Aside from showing how every psalm points to Jesus, the reflections cover diverse topics with insights that are well-written and interesting to think about. Topics like prayer with no consolation, preaching to self while praying, justice, morals, redemption of creation, repentance, trials, spiritual warfare, modernity, and many others.
Recommended to those who love the psalms, and/ or those who want a quick daily spiritual read.
It has been a great daily 3 minute companion for me for the past five months.
Aside from showing how every psalm points to Jesus, the reflections cover diverse topics with insights that are well-written and interesting to think about. Topics like prayer with no consolation, preaching to self while praying, justice, morals, redemption of creation, repentance, trials, spiritual warfare, modernity, and many others.
Recommended to those who love the psalms, and/ or those who want a quick daily spiritual read.
March 14, 2013
Christ in the Psalms was originally published back in 2000 but has since been revised. If you own the original, like myself, you will first notice a more substantial introduction. In this edition, Fr. Reardon explains "The Unity of the Bible," "The Voices of the Psalter," and "The First Three Psalms." I never noticed this about the Psalms before, but the first three chapters form a theological outline for the whole book. The other major changes occurred in Fr. Reardon's commentary on Psalms 73, 75, 90, 94, and 106. Bear in mind this is the Septuagint numbering as the Septuagint Old Testament has 151 Psalms.
As the title suggests, this book is a devotion/commentary on the book of Psalms with Jesus as the light by which to read them. With a commentary for each chapter, this book is just over 300 pages. However, don't let the size of this book intimidate you. Each commentary is only 1 page front and back, making it both manageable and enjoyable to read at your own pace. I recommend reading a Psalm and commentary in the morning and one at night. Using this schedule, one can make it through the book in other 3 months, but one a day is also a good reading pace.
It is easy to read some Psalms and see how they relate to Jesus, like Psalm 23 (Psalm 22 in the Septuagint). However, don't think that this is just merely "The Good Shepherd Psalm." Fr. Reardon provides further insight that one may have never noticed before. In the 23rd Psalm, one can also see the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Chrismation/Confirmation). That explanation blew my mind, and I will never look at Psalm 23 the same way again.
This is a book you must have in your library. I simply wish I could give it more than 5 stars. The only hard decision to make, when it comes to owning this book, would be if you own the original edition. You will have to decide if the changes mentioned above are worth buying the revised edition. I personally would, but that's just me. Check out Fr. Reardon's complementary title Christ in His Saints also available from Conciliar Press.
As the title suggests, this book is a devotion/commentary on the book of Psalms with Jesus as the light by which to read them. With a commentary for each chapter, this book is just over 300 pages. However, don't let the size of this book intimidate you. Each commentary is only 1 page front and back, making it both manageable and enjoyable to read at your own pace. I recommend reading a Psalm and commentary in the morning and one at night. Using this schedule, one can make it through the book in other 3 months, but one a day is also a good reading pace.
It is easy to read some Psalms and see how they relate to Jesus, like Psalm 23 (Psalm 22 in the Septuagint). However, don't think that this is just merely "The Good Shepherd Psalm." Fr. Reardon provides further insight that one may have never noticed before. In the 23rd Psalm, one can also see the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Chrismation/Confirmation). That explanation blew my mind, and I will never look at Psalm 23 the same way again.
This is a book you must have in your library. I simply wish I could give it more than 5 stars. The only hard decision to make, when it comes to owning this book, would be if you own the original edition. You will have to decide if the changes mentioned above are worth buying the revised edition. I personally would, but that's just me. Check out Fr. Reardon's complementary title Christ in His Saints also available from Conciliar Press.
August 11, 2016
Reading the Psalms has always been a chore for me. My brain favors prose over poetry, and it is especially difficult to appreciate poetry when it is presented in a modern English translation rather than the intended language. Additionally, I’ve noticed an unfortunate tendency in churches I’ve attended to praise the Psalms simply because they’re the Psalms. Christians sometimes adopt the reasoning of shallow college students and proclaim things to be “deep” and “profound” just because they sound like the sort of things that ought to be proclaimed deep and profound, without any real understanding or explanation of their depth or profundity.
That is not a problem for the Eastern Orthodox Reverend Patrick Henry Reardon in his thoughtful collection of essays, Christ in the Psalms. The book is set up in a straightforward manner, with one two-page essay to correspond with each of the 151 Psalms. Reardon examines the Psalms from a New Testament perspective, giving deference to the writers of the New Testament where they have offered their own commentary in the pages of the Bible, and drawing upon his own extensive knowledge of linguistics and Church history for the rest.
Reading this book has still been a chore, but a chore worth performing. It’s a nice supplement for anyone who struggles through the Bible’s longest book, and a nice devotional for Christians of all stripes.
That is not a problem for the Eastern Orthodox Reverend Patrick Henry Reardon in his thoughtful collection of essays, Christ in the Psalms. The book is set up in a straightforward manner, with one two-page essay to correspond with each of the 151 Psalms. Reardon examines the Psalms from a New Testament perspective, giving deference to the writers of the New Testament where they have offered their own commentary in the pages of the Bible, and drawing upon his own extensive knowledge of linguistics and Church history for the rest.
Reading this book has still been a chore, but a chore worth performing. It’s a nice supplement for anyone who struggles through the Bible’s longest book, and a nice devotional for Christians of all stripes.
January 18, 2009
Really good.
June 15, 2024
This is Reardon at his best. The beauty of this book (aside from the actual commentary) is the layout as each Psalm could be a daily devotion or one could read many Psalms at once as I did. I appreciate the explanations of why Psalms are read at specific services during different parts of the year.
Reardon does not mention this (for obvious reasons), but it was through Luther's study of the Psalms where many of the doctrines surrounding the Protestant reformation came forth as Christ and the sacraments run through the Psalms. The Psalms should not be overlooked and this commentary is excellent for those who want to start studying them without reading a dense commentary. Those in higher churches will appreciate this particular commentary more, however, anyone will find these meditations beneficial.
Reardon does not mention this (for obvious reasons), but it was through Luther's study of the Psalms where many of the doctrines surrounding the Protestant reformation came forth as Christ and the sacraments run through the Psalms. The Psalms should not be overlooked and this commentary is excellent for those who want to start studying them without reading a dense commentary. Those in higher churches will appreciate this particular commentary more, however, anyone will find these meditations beneficial.
November 23, 2022
Really great insight into the depths of the Psalms, and their relation to Jesus. Lots of great linkage and learnings and literary exposition. Read it on the kindle which was a great choice as it was less accessible than I had hoped, and the built in dictionary was super helpful (the reason I rated it a three instead of a four, which is a reflection of my experience and not necessarily the quality of content).
October 29, 2023
An excellent book - a well-written, enlightening, and inspirational explanation of each psalm according to the Fathers and saints of the Orthodox church. Commentaries are each about a page or page and a half long. I found this book to be an extraordinary companion and "Fr. Pat'' as he's known to his parish, experienced and wise in the ways of spiritual life in our church. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to know and pray with the psalms with greater depth.
January 1, 2022
A contemporary Orthodox Christian commentary on the Psalms. What a treasure. Father Patrick's comments cover a wide range in regard to their application to the Christian life. There is a special focus on their application to the Divine Liturgy. He speaks to liturgical practices of other traditional Christian bodies; the book would be an edifying read for all who confess the Christian Faith.
July 23, 2020
Read this side by side with the Psalter. “The Prayer Book of the Church” is not only the most exquisite poetry ever written, it is deeply symbolic and prophetic. Reading the psalter without guidance would be like smelling a delicious meal but not knowing how to eat it.
September 23, 2020
I’d you are a pastor bible teacher covering the Psalms, this book is a must read. Every Psalm receives two pages of insight that tell you squarely where Christ is. I never preach a psalm without referring to this book and you shouldn’t either.
December 23, 2025
Absolutely outstanding! I would recommend reading the psalm, then Father Reardon’s 2 page commentary. I read as a daily Nativity devotional (4 psalms, 4 commentaries per day starting November 15); would be perfect for Lent.
Every Christian should read this
Every Christian should read this
October 3, 2020
Fantastic, Christocentric meditations on each psalm, but too Eastern Orthodox focused in the end.
February 6, 2021
Some chapters are really helpful, while others are a little disappointing.
February 16, 2023
Reardon provides a two page exposition on each of the Psalms stressing their connection to Christ.
July 17, 2024
Good, but not deep enough to be helpful in study. Will likely never be pulled down from my shelf.
May 16, 2025
Beautiful…
August 25, 2025
Exceptional Ancient Faith perspective on the Psalms. The heart of the Bible, Christian prayer, and liturgical life of worship.
July 11, 2016
I have only started using and have not read every entry yet, but what I have read is absolutely phenomenal. Reardon gives each Psalm a brief (2 page) meditation. This is not a exegetical commentary on the history, language, and forms of the Psalms. This is rather a Christian reading of each Psalm dedicated to seeing Christ as the one 'from whom, through whom, and to whom' the Psalms exist. If you are looking for an aid to help you see how a Christian whose very life is 'in Christ' may use the Psalms in prayer and life, this is an excellent book.
August 26, 2015
Devotional in nature - You can read it slowly (the author suggests over three years) or more quickly, randomly...but do read it! The nuggets are goldmines of insight and wisdom into the mind and life of Christ and of King David, as well as the use of these Psalms by the fathers or our Faith.
November 23, 2023
You might not agree with everything in here (especially if you're not an Orthodox Christian [the tradition, which I'm not] ), but it's a truly phenomenal read that will help you see Christ throughout the entire Psalter.
December 16, 2007
The best book I've yet read on the Psalter.
January 2, 2018
The introduction to this book is spectacular and the commentary is superb!
July 12, 2016
Excellent work! Drew me close to Christ and his Church! Recommended to everyone in need of Christ!
December 20, 2025
Excellent book and perfect to read along with the Psalms to understand how Christ "fits in" to these scriptures.
April 14, 2011
Handy way to get OT/NT integration before bed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews