Chanting the Psalms: A Practical Guide with Instructional CD [Paperback]

Cynthia Bourgeault (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 14, 2006

Chanting the psalms, or psalmody, is an ancient practice of vital importance in the Christian spiritual tradition. Today many think of it as a discipline that belongs only in monasteries—but psalmody is a spiritual treasure that is available to anyone who prays. You don’t need to be musical or a monk to do it, and it can be enjoyed in church liturgical worship, in groups, or even individually as part of a personal rule of prayer. Cynthia Bourgeault brings the practice into the twenty-first century, providing a history of Christian psalmody as well as an appreciation of its place in contemplative practice today. And she teaches you how to do it as you chant along with her on the accompanying CD in which she demonstrates the basic techniques and easy melodies that anyone can learn. “Even if you can’t read music,” Cynthia says, “or if somewhere along the way you’ve absorbed the message that your voice is no good or you can’t sing on pitch, I’ll still hope to show you that chanting the psalms is accessible to nearly everyone.”

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. The pointed and shaking finger of our adamant inner schoolteachers often accompanies calls to engage and stick with ancient (read: tried and proven) spiritual practices. Not so with Bourgeault's impassioned invitation to chant the Psalms. With a blend of Christian and Eastern mysticism running throughout, as well as recognition that learning to chant may be difficult, she gently guides readers through the "whys" and then through the "hows." Bourgeault, an Episcopal priest with a doctorate in medieval studies/musicology, clearly knows her material, but presents it simply; see the chapter on "Suzuki Psalmnody." The companion CD, illustrating the various techniques, encourages even the most vocally challenged reader to try the chants. Bourgeault's focus is not only on chanting, but on chanting the Psalms specifically, asserting that chanting them helps to integrate the shadow and heal the personal unconscious, as well as awaken the intuitive imagination. The book's final section explores other contemporary and popular forms of chant and song, including Taizé and Iona. Bourgeault will be a helpful guide to those who seek to find a viable daily Christian practice, while those who already have a daily discipline may find that her suggestions for chanting deepens and enlarges their experience. (Dec. 12)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Bourgeault will be a helpful guide to those who seek to find a viable daily Christian practice, while those who already have a daily discipline may find that her suggestions for chanting deepens and enlarges their experience."—Publishers Weekly, starred review



"The best book I've seen on the theory and practice of Christian contemplative psalmody."—Thomas Keating, author of Open Mind, Open Heart and Finding Grace at the Center

"Few books ever manage to both inform and enthrall in equal measure the way this one does. The whole world of Christian spirituality owes Cynthia Bourgeault an enormous debt of gratitude for having given us a classic."—Phyllis Tickle, compiler of the Divine Hours series

"Cynthia Bourgeault, a skillful teacher, offers you all of the do-it-yourself instructions you need to thoroughly enjoy the sacred tradition of change and so step from time into the eternal Now."—Br. David Steindl-Rast, OSB, cofounder of gratefulness.org

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: New Seeds (November 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590302575
• ISBN-13: 978-1590302576
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring the Psalms into your daily life, February 10, 2007

By 

D. Kovacs (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chanting the Psalms: A Practical Guide with Instructional CD (Paperback)

This book is a great follow-on to the author's CD set called Singing the Psalms. This book and CD, combined with Phyllis Tickle's trilogy of The Divine Hours, will give you everything you need in order to pray the Divine Office every day. Recommended for all lay contemplatives who long to practice the monastic path of prayer while still living in the world.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compendium on chant, February 27, 2008

By 

K. Eshelman "book-oholic" (down South) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chanting the Psalms: A Practical Guide with Instructional CD (Paperback)

I used this book for a class at church last year, and it actually had so much information that I had to select readings and provide overviews for some sections. The most valuable aspect for my class was that Bourgeault is not a trained singer: her 'normal person's voice' on the CD was what encouraged several of the non-singers in the class to take a chance and sing - something they had previously been afraid to try. The historical information is far-reaching. In my opinion, the last chapters of the book that try to bring in all types of modern chants are less effective than the first half of the book.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ways to God, June 27, 2007

By 

C. De Fontenay - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chanting the Psalms: A Practical Guide with Instructional CD (Paperback)

The book and CD are crystal clear and helpful and persuasive. Of all the ways to God, psalmody is surely one of the most ancient and powerful and is therefore of especial value to those of us who realize that the ancient knowledge of God is to be understood and incorporated right along with our other understandings. That Jesus also did this makes it far more important for those of us who would "follow" Him as He commanded and not just "worship" him. C. de Fontenay