"How to Read and Understand the Psalms" (Bruce K. Waltke and Fred G. Zaspel)

TITLE: How to Read and Understand the Psalms
AUTHOR: Bruce K. Waltke and Fred G. Zaspel
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2023, (608 pages).
 

The Psalms is the most if not one of the most beloved books in the Bible. Many preachers love to preach from the Psalms. Containing a rich compendium of praise, poetry, prayer, theology, and worship, many people identify deeply with the Psalms as they go through the ups and downs of life. Many New Testament writers have also referenced the Psalms. The Psalms have inspired many songs. They are the official Prayer Book of the Jews. They teach us how to pray. They encourage us to be completely honest with God. The five major sections of the Psalms parallel the Pentateuch. In that sense, they mark out a brief history of Israel. While it is one thing to read and cherish the Psalms, interpreting and preaching on it can be tough. That is why it is also one of the most difficult to understand. The intent of this book is to equip readers, preachers, and laypersons with some fundamental skills in reading and understanding the Psalms. The content is mostly credited to the highly respected Dr. Bruce Waltke, who has spent the bulk of his life as an Old Testament scholar. In this book, readers are treated to a rich collection of fundamental tips to remember when reading the Psalms. Covering many important segments of the 150 Psalms, we learn about the Psalter in broad terms. We learn the different interpretive frameworks for understanding the Psalms. this is in line with the type of psalms. While many people would follow the Psalms in a chronological manner, or refer to them by their psalm numerical notations, there is a better way to interpret the Psalms. That is via the nature of the psalm concerned. For instance, there are the didactic psalms (of instruction), those that instruct us on the righteous way of life. There are various forms of praise psalms that teach us the power of worship. There are the psalms of trust which inspire us to be assured in the promises of God. There are also the lament psalms that show us how much God understands our human conditions. There are the royal psalms of David as well as the Psalms of Ascents which are also pilgrimage psalms. Apart from the genre concerned, there are the superscripts and postscripts that tell us about the composition and intent of the psalm. 

The first part of the book deals with the interpretive frameworks necessary to understand the Psalms. We learn about the need to identify the type of psalm based on the clues available in the texts. We are called to approach the text both as a "scientist and a saint." That means we learn to study as well as to savor the text in worship. This provides us a good balance when we open up the Psalms for devotion. 

My Thoughts

There are many things to like about this book. Let me offer three thoughts. First, it gives us a fresh perspective in understanding the Psalms. By teaching us to pay special attention to the superscripts and postscripts, we learn about the little contexts behind each psalm concerned. Whether it is for the choir leader or to give us the origin of the psalm, it gives us helpful preliminary information to aid us in our use. The three appendices themselves contain a treasure of valuable tips and information. The authors generously include in the appendix a detailed description of how to use these devices as well as a canonical approach to the Psalms. There is also a summary of the different types of psalms mentioned. The introduction to the Psalms is one of the best I have ever read. Beginning with the general framework of how to approach the psalms, the authors map out the paths clearly before closing with an illuminating exposition of Psalm 1. Just like how Psalm 1 introduces one to the rest of the 149 Psalms, the introduction gives us a preview of the rest of the book. What is personally helpful for me is the thoughtful explanation of the different kinds of psalms and the respective ways needed to approach them. 

Second, I like the point about approaching the psalms both as a scientist as well as a saint. If I might add, it also parallels the approaches of a scholar as well as a worshiper. Both need to be held together. Sometimes, there are people who over-emphasize one over the other. This book provides a good balance, although I suspect some readers might deem this book too scholarly for a layperson's comfort. For that matter, I urge patience. Do not let the technical aspect of the book discourage the reading. That is why the more technical aspects of the book are pushed to the appendices, lest they hold up the reader in technical jargon. I must credit the authors for being sensitive to the general reader, who might not have the Hebrew or Old Testament background to appreciate the texts. For that reason, it might be helpful for laypersons to read this book together with a trained scholar, pastor, or seminary student. 

Finally, I recommend this book as a primer to study the Psalms. While preachers and teachers can benefit a lot from the book, laypersons too can appreciate the way this book opens up the study of the Psalms. Apart from the genre notations, there are detailed descriptions of the nature of the genre to show us the meaning and the spirit of the psalm. Rather than individual psalms, the authors have put together the related psalms for us to appreciate how they all fit together. Imagine studying one psalm and seeing how it mirrors and reflects the insights from other psalms. Sometimes, many of us study the psalms in isolation. This book gives us ample tools to go beyond that. The bibliography is a valuable addition to help advanced readers. 

This book is a must-have for anyone interested in the Psalms.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

Bruce K. Waltke (ThD, Dallas Theological Seminary; PhD, Harvard University) is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament Studies at Regent College and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Knox Theological Seminary. He is the author of An Old Testament Theology and commentaries on Genesis, Micah, and Proverbs. Bruce is a member at Advent Anglican Church in Woodinville, Washington.

Fred G. Zaspel (PhD, Free University of Amsterdam) serves as a pastor at Reformed Baptist Church in Franconia, Pennsylvania, an adjunct professor of systematic theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and executive editor at Books At a Glance. He is the author of The Theology of B. B. Warfield and Warfield on the Christian Life, coauthor of New Covenant Theology, and has published numerous booklets, articles, and book reviews. Rating:

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This book has been provided courtesy of Crossway Publishers via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.