The Psalms (Sacred Text)
Prayed for thousands of years, the Psalms address human pain, anger, confession, thanksgiving, and more. This commentary by poet/essayist Norris (The Cloister Walk, LJ 3/15/96) is not the usual psalm-by-psalm, verse-by-verse historical, linguistic, and theological exposition but instead a lengthy introduction first to the Psalms themselves and then to the King James Version (KJV) of them. Norris points out that the Psalms are an excellent introduction to the Bible because of their many themes (e.g., Exodus, the giving of the Law, the outcry against injustice), and she argues for the KJV because its English best reflects the original Hebrew and its language is unforgettable. The Psalms are printed with ample space between verses, calling for meditative reading. A welcome addition to religion and spirituality collections.?John Moryl, Yeshiva Univ. Libs., New YorkCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.