Christ in the Psalms

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Summary: The finest work on the Psalms in the English language
Review: Every so often I come across a book that has the ability to transform a life. This is one such book. Written a breathtakingly beautiful style, with poise, keen insight and love for Christ, Father Patrick Reardon, has written a book that every Christian ought to read. We live in strange times, where the Old Testament is becoming ever more disconnected form the New; where 'men of knowledge' sometimes think it their duty to shut the door on a Christian interpretation of the Old Testament, all in the name of modernity and ecumenicity. Reardon is like a gentle prophet, beckoning the Church to return to its roots, to its truly Catholic, Orthodox and Apostolic character, by rediscovering its own Saviour in the Psalms. The work offers meditations and commentary on every Psalm seen through the prism of the Messiah. Pastors who are looking for a single one volume commentary on the Psalms need look no further than this (there is NOTHING better in print). I really cannot say enough about this volume; it is a modern Christian classic.

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Summary: Is the Messiah in your Psalter?
Review: Every so often I come across a book that has the ability to transform a life. This is one such book. Written in a beautiful style, with poise, keen insight and love for Christ, Father Patrick Reardon, has written a book that every Christian ought to read. We live in strange times, where the Old Testament is becoming ever more disconnected form the New; where `men of knowledge' sometimes think it their duty to shut the door on a Christian interpretation of the Old Testament, all in the name of modernity and ecumenicity. Reardon is like a gentle prophet, beckoning the Church to return to its roots, to its truly Catholic, Orthodox and Apostolic character, by rediscovering its own Saviour in the Psalms. Bound to become a classic.

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Summary: Christ the Center - the prayer book of Christ and His Church
Review: In a time when many Christian traditions are opting to negate the Christological nature of the Pslams, Fr. Patrick argues persuasively that the Pslams are the backbone to a proper understanding of the human condition, the heart of God, and the nature of Christ's incarnation. Following the traditional exegetical method of understanding the Old Testament in light of the resurrection, Fr. Patrick illuminates the psalter in a manner both academic and devotional. Apart of Lewis's book on the psalms, there is really not much else out there of this quality in both regards.

No previous knowledge of Greek or Hebrew is needed. It is not an intimidating read at all and it is the type of book that you will want to read over and over through the seasons. Very highly recommended!

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Summary: Must have for all Christians
Review: This book really woke me up to the voice of Christ in the Psalms. Father Reardon spent years reflecting on the Psalms and that slow, deliberate approach shows in the heart and insights he gives in his book. If you're looking for a jiffy pop approach to Christianity then look else where. If you want to better understand the true importance of the Psalms to Christians then this book is a must have resource.

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Summary: For a deeper look....
Review: While Fr Reardon (a priest of the Antiochian Orthodox Diocese and an erstwhile Anglican) disclaims the mantle of Scripture scholar, these meditations on the Psalter are erudite and are evidently the product of close and learned examination. There are references made to the original Hebrew and to the canonical Greek of the Orthodox Church, and pertinent comparisons made to New Testament passages. There is often a brief comment about the liturgical use of the psalm in question (morning or evening prayer, Easter or Great Lent, and so on).

While the ideal reader for Fr Reardon's reverent study would be Orthodox, and not unfamiliar with the liturgical Greek, "Christ in the Psalms" can be read, with profit, by Western Christians as well. But beyond scholarship and ecclesial loyalty, a vigorous faith is needed; in Fr Reardon's words: "The Psalter has nothing to say to the worldly; it is not for the unconverted, the unrepentant. It is, rather, the prayer book of those who strive for holiness of life and the unceasing praise of God." (See the commentary on Psalm 4.)

The numbering of the Psalm follows the Septuagint. Texts of the psalms are not included; Fr Reardon perhaps rightly assumes that the reader has a trustworthy translation on hand. He generally devotes two pages to each psalm. Most memorable, the comment on Psalm 51 (52), including an identification of the execrable Doeg the Edomite.

"Christ in the Psalms" is not a book to be zipped through; take two or three psalm-essays at a time. These "pastoral ponderings" will be of profit only to those of an unhasty disposition.