Bringing the Psalms to Life: How to Understand & Use the Book of Psalms [Hardcover]

Daniel F. Polish (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000

There is something unusual about the psalms and that special power is the reason people have turned to them for thousands of years. What’s more, the power of the psalms hasn’t diminished over time. It remains for us today—a resource we can use if only we can learn how to open it.

In this practical, spiritual new look at the psalms, the most beloved (and yet least understood) of the books in the Bible comes alive for us. Polish invites us into the beauty and meaning of these ancient “prayer poems” which show that we are not alone in our problems, and help us find comfort in God.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The Book of Psalms, in Hebrew Tehillim (Songs of Praise), is a collection of religious poetry in which an individual addresses God and expresses faith in God or a longing for nearness to him. He is conceived as a personal God, attuned to human needs. The Book of Psalms is divided into five "books," totaling 150 chapters believed to have been composed at least in part by King David. Polish, a professor and rabbi, discusses the power of psalms in such situations as dealing with anger; overcoming feelings of abandonment; coping with sickness, loss, loneliness, despair, and alienation; and facing our "enemies." Polish also advises readers how to use the Book of Psalms to put our thankfulness into words and in celebrating God in our lives. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Inside Flap

What is the mysterious power of psalms, the power that has made them beloved for thousands of years? This inspiring introduction shows us not only how to read the psalms with understanding, but how we can bring them into our lives, in:

Facing our “enemies.”
Dealing with anger.
Overcoming feeling let down or abandoned.
Coping with sicknessin ourselves or those we love.
Expressing our thanks.
And more.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580230776
• ISBN-13: 978-1580230773
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,596,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A book worth reading but it misses its mark, June 25, 2000

By 

M. J. Smith (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bringing the Psalms to Life: How to Understand & Use the Book of Psalms (Hardcover)

Bringing the Psalms to Life is a book built on a wonderful concept but one that does not live up to its promise. It builds appreciation for the Psalms by identifying common threads of human experiences that are found in the Psalms - e.g. reversal of fortune, anger, abandonment etc. It suggests ways to deal with the violent revenge themes of the Psalms that we find difficult to reconcile with our image of God ...

Unfortunately, the book is ultimately dissatisfying. While large portions of the Psalms are quoted, with a few exceptions, only small bits are actually discussed in the text. And of the human situations described in the Psalms only a handful of archtypes are discussed.

Therefore, I find the book interesting as a way to see the Psalms through the eyes of another or as a pointer towards an interesting classification of Psalms based on the human situation calling forth the Psalm ... but I would not recommend it as a place to start for gaining appreciation of the Psalms.