The Psalms with Commentary

by Kathleen Norris (editor), Anonymous

Beloved book of the Old Testament contains 150 hymns of praise, prayers of crisis and songs of faith fundamental to both Christian and Jewish liturgies. Its English translation in the King James Version of the Bible (1611), from which this edition is reprinted complete and unabridged, is long regarded as a classic of English literature.

Genres: Spirituality, Poetry

404 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 1997

About the author

Kathleen Norris was born on July 27, 1947 in Washington, D.C. She grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, as well as on her maternal grandparents’ farm in Lemmon, South Dakota.

Her sheltered upbringing left her unprepared for the world she encountered when she began attending Bennington College in Vermont. At first shocked by the unconventionality surrounding her, Norris took refuge in poetry.

After she graduated in 1969, she moved to New York City where she joined the arts scene, associated with members of the avant-garde movement including Andy Warhol, and worked for the American Academy of Poets.

In 1974, her grandmother died leaving Norris the family farm in South Dakota, and she and her future husband, the poet David Dwyer, decided to temporarily relocate there until arrangements to rent or sell the property could be made. Instead, they ended up remaining in South Dakota for the next 25 years.

Soon after moving to the rural prairie, Norris developed a relationship with the nearby Benedictine abbey, which led to her eventually becoming an oblate.

In 2000, Norris and her husband traded their farmhouse on the Great Plains for a condo in Honolulu, Hawaii, so that Norris could help care for her aging parents after her husband’s own failing health no longer permitted him to travel. Her father died in 2002, and her husband died the following year in 2003.

Reviews

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice translation of the Psalms but do be aware there is only a brief-but illuminating-commentary from Ms. Norris at the beginning. This is not an in-depth commentary of the psalms as I first thought.

[Riley Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Kathleen's commentary at the beginning as well as the King James language of the Psalms, even though I am Roman Catholic, and do not use the KJV Bible. This was the first time I read the Psalms straight through and I found them very profound.

[Kristin King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply read thru the Psalms from beginning in my hard copy and from the end back in my electronic copy till I met in the middle. Poetry of praise and complaining, or bringing everything to God whether questions or proclamations of His faithfulness, His wonders, and resting in the Hands that hold the whole world.

[Dottie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely edition of the Book of Psalms with a commentary/introduction by Kathleen Norris.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

So lovely.

[Hope]

I had hoped this would have commentary by Norris, but it only has an introduction.