The Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life: Psalms 1–12

Psalms #1

by Dale Ralph Davis

In the opening pages of the Psalms, believers discover foundational truth for right living—and great delight—as children of God. Trusted theologian Dale Ralph Davis leads readers through a careful study of Psalms 1—12 with clear application for daily life.

The Psalmist begins with the most essential truth for mankind, Davis explains: "Nothing is so crucial as your belonging to the congregation of the righteous." And it is the Word of God that provides the direction for the believer's life. It is here, Davis points out, that "the righteous man gets his signals for living." The delight of the righteous is in the "law"—the teachings—of the Lord. Indeed, for those who belong to Him, meditating on God's Word is "the pursuit of pleasure"! And the Psalms are a treasure trove for such a pursuit. As the first 12 Psalms continue, we see basic principles unfold with great clarity. Much like our troubles today, the Psalmist endured wickedness all around, a world hostile to the true God—and on a very personal level—deceit and persecution from his enemies. Readers are pointed toward the glorious rule of the Messiah, to whom the whole world belongs. In light of this realization, we are prepared to face all kinds of troubles that cause despair. The righteous rely on God, and the Psalms teach us how. This book is ideal for use by small groups, as a teaching guide or for reference.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Devotional, Old Testament, Nonfiction, Faith

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2010

About the author

Dale Ralph Davis is Minister in Residence, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to that he was pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi.

Reviews

[Michael Philliber · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this 144 page paperback, Dale Ralph Davis walks the reader through the first twelve Psalms. He approaches the Psalms along the lines of Gordon Wenham in his book "The Psalter Reclaimed" (see my review of that fine work). Davis follows more of a canonical-redemptive flight pattern in interpreting the Psalms. Each Psalm is where it is for a reason, and that helps to unpack the meaning of the passage. But beyond that technicality, this is a delightful morsel to feed on, especially for weary, worn, watery-eyed souls that feel that their faith is becoming rice-paper thin."

"The Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life" is truly what they title says. On the one hand, there are loads of reasons for God's covenant-love recipients to take heart. The God whom we love, not only loved us first, but continues to keep our plight in mind, guiding, sustaining, helping; "There is a sense in which Yahweh saves you again and again in your troubles and dangers. Some of you can point to having been 'saved' in that sense even this last week. We shouldn't forget this sense of 'salvation.' Maybe some of us are in arrears in the gratitude department as we haven't been remembering this" (48).

On the other hand, Davis doesn't hold back any punches when it comes to applying the good news of these Psalms. He draws believers into the punchy counsels of the Psalms, for example when writing about Psalm 5, "There is a difference between prayer and drivel. I do not want to advocate eloquence in prayer, but I want to reject thoughtlessness in prayer" (63). Similarly, he rubs the noses of the wicked in the gracious grit of the psalter. When commenting on Psalm 5, verses 5 and 6, Davis notes; "Verses 5b and 6b sort of blow up the myth about God 'hating sin yet loving the sinner.' He does not hate the evil done but the evildoers (5b); he doesn't detest merely bloodthirsty deeds but bloodthirsty men (6b). What holy, praise-worthy hatred" (64)!

"The Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life" is a book for God's children, wherever they are in the muddy, muddled, messiness of life. I warmly recommend it.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is spiritually beneficial & profitable. I don't like devotional books but if they were less superficial and had more substance while still being brief then they would be of greater value to believers. Well, although this is by no means meant to be a devotional in the classic sense this is the kind of book that would qualify as a profitable devotional. The author covers one Psalm in each chapter, he does so with great clarity & is able to use the Hebrew language to open our understanding, goes into detail all without getting bogged down, and he remains brief. It is a rare book that would be appropriate for one who has been a believer for 20 years as well as profitable for one who has been saved for only 20 days. This is such a book.

[David Saxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warmly recommend. Delightfully and engagingly written and yet accurate and helpful - typical of Dale Ralph Davis commentaries (although even less "academic" than his works on Joshua - 2 Kings). I can't wait to dive into its sequel, Psalms 13-24.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply excellent. classic Ralph Dale Davis.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good, despite his imagining that hymns will be sung in heaven while writing a book about Psalms. Hehe. ;-P I would read this again.

[Gareth Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful short chapters on the first 12 Psalms. I just wished it had been longer.

[Tim Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this very short book at the recommendation of my brother who likes the author, and because it's one of the world's best book titles. It was a great decision.

Dale Ralph Davis is a long-time pastor and professor. In this book he walks his readers through the first 12 Psalms showing how they aid us in navigating the "muck of life." His style, in this book at least, is very pastoral. Though he does not shy away from technical questions (e.g., are Psalms 9 and 10 originally one Psalm?), he aims directly at helping the reader understand each Psalm--both its message and context--in a way that will equip them to live well in a difficult life.

Davis' exposition on each Psalm is short--about 10 pages--but packed with lively writing and thoughtful comment. I read them at a one-a-day pace which I found quite useful in causing me to stop and contemplate the words of God as communicated by the Psalmist (in most cases, David.)

For taking a break from the difficulties of life and refocusing on the character of the God we serve, this is a magnificent place to start.

[Jon Anderson]

Sunday School - Summer 2019. Also read for preaching Psalms 1-10 in summer 2021. Dr. Davis, a former professor of mine, is a must read on any Bible book that he has published on. He knows the technical stuff but these expositions aren't tangled up in that. Instead, you get a wonderful sense of what the psalmist was driving at and see new vistas opened as Dr. Davis opens the text. Must read if studying/teaching/preaching on the Psalms

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a devotional Bible commentary on Psalm 1 through Psalm 12 written by Dale Ralph Davis, a Pastor and Professor of the Old Testament with Reformed Theological Seminary at Jackson, Mississippi. I have previously enjoyed Davis’ commentary on the book of Judges and also his book titled The Word Became Fresh which the subtitle explained as “How to Preach from Old Testament Narrative Texts.” Both works were phenomenal and I think one can say that Davis’ commentaries on Old Testament historical narratives are phenomenal and is one that an expositor of the Bible must have if he is going to teach on Old Testament narratives. So when I saw that Davis’ had written a devotional commentary on the beginning of the Psalms I had to purchase it though it took me a few years before I finally read it and finished it.


This commentary is ideal for personal devotional study as it is not heavy with the original language or other exegetical details. It is under a hundred fifty pages covering twelves Psalms which makes it manageable in size in terms of one chapter per Psalm that can be read in one sitting. In the preface the author tells us they were originally adapted from his evening sermon and he doesn’t try to make these notes more technical but retain the devotional flavor with the explanation that these are “samplings” from the Psalm to get God’s people to get a taste for the beauty of the Psalms.

Davis explains the text well. He points out things that I can easily miss when I just read straight through the Psalms. One thing I really appreciate about the commentary is the fact that Davis breaks down the Psalms really well and the way he “outlines” the section of each Psalm was faithful to the text while remaining applicable. My favorite Psalm that was in the commentary was Psalm 11 and he definitely explained it well and applied it to the readers’ life and difficulties.

I actually used this Psalm as an evening devotional to be read aloud with my wife. Reading aloud to my wife made us realized that sometimes Davis’ illustrations involved characters and individuals that he mentioned but he never explained who they were which kind of take away the force of the illustration or even proved distracting at some points. I say this as a constructive criticism that he can tell us a little about the individuals mentioned before giving his illustration since some of the figures were not necessarily well known even for I myself a preacher.

Overall this is a commentary I would recommend though it was not the same caliber as Davis’ other two books that I read.

[William Barrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Psalter remains a long-time favorite among the biblical canon. Dale Ralph Davis not only translates each psalm from the Hebrew, he expounds each one verse-by-verse, accurately taking the context into account. He illustrates his exposition with well-chosen real-life stories of key individuals. The resulting presentation for each psalm provides a marvelous devotional encouraging readers to live out the truths of each psalm. Having read this first volume, I cannot wait to read the next one in this series. My physical library contains over ten linear feet of shelving containing commentaries on the Psalms and my digital library adds another thirty volumes. I rate Davis' commentary in the top five of all those commentaries. Hopefully, he will be able to complete the entire Psalter in a much shorter time than it took him to produce his first three volumes covering Psalms 1–37.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light commentary on the first twelve Psalms.
I say light, because it is more homiletic that really attacking the passage and wrestling with it.
There are a lot of analogous stories and little what does this actually mean.
It was fine, but if you are looking to get something in depth then this is not fo you.
Perhaps it could be utilised in a devotional setting quite well.
An average commentary that I probably won't recall that well, but it sill has more value than many other books out there.

[Andrew Mcneill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series of expositions

Davis has a great gift of being able to make God's word come alive to the reader. This series of expositions is vivid and enjoyable and will make for excellent devotional thoughts. I would have liked to see a more canonical/messianic approach to these Psalms but nevertheless, he always points the reader to Christ in some way.

[Ian Rees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Davis has a wonderful way with words as well as a clear commitment to explaining the Bible text. This makes for both a pleasant and challenging read as he liberally sprinkles his message with interesting stories and powerful application of the psalm.

[Richard J Mohrbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

As relevant today as when they were written.

Dale Ralph Davis has become one of my favorite contemporary biblical commentators. Easy to read and use as an aid to study God's word I would recommend any of his books for this purpose.

[Lady Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure how it's possible to be simultaneously scholarly, piercingly insightful and folksy, but Dale Ralph Davis achieves it. This is a book to be read and re-read.

[Jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed these.

[T.A. Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readable, incisive, & able to be converted into a Bible study with marked ease. I really enjoyed this book.

[Iain Hamill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable canter through the first 12 Psalms.
Great anecdotes and illustrations.

[Christy Bowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

poignant, earthy, just good

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s simple, read everything DRD writes.

[Tengxiang · Rating 5 out of 5]

bought last year, just finished. most likely the best book of my year.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

First class

For anyone wanting a guide to reading the first 12 Psalms, this could not be bettered. Realistic, warm and helpful.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful exposition of the first twelve Psalms. Davis writes with intelligence and humor.

[Neale Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

what encouragement!

Excellent! Classic Davis to make the words of scripture stand out with such prominence and clarity! Bravo! Enjoy this classic!

[Tim Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dale Ralph Davis is always a delight. He has a way of making commentaries an enjoyable fireside read. Highly recommend!

Approx. Reading time: 3hrs

[Brent Osterberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one has taught me more about interpreting the Old Testament than Dale Ralph Davis. This book only strengthens that statement.

[Katie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light and easy-to-understand book that introduces the psalms in a delightful way. Saturated with joy and full of simple application for a modern context.

[Ryan Lian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent devotional aid. His illustrations are distracting at best, obscure at worst. Spiritually helpful though.

[Paul Renaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent commentary from Mr. Davis.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great study of Psalms 1-12. Dale Ralph Davis really knows what he's talking about and his insights into the Hebrew translation were really helpful. These Psalms can be a real comfort when going through troubles! I was a little disappointed because what I read lead me to believe there would be more of a focus on feelings of depression in this study but despite that it was still a very encouraging read.