Christ in the Psalms [Paperback]

Patrick Henry Reardon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

The Psalms run like a golden thread through the beautiful garment of Orthodox worship. In addition to inspiring the public prayer of the church, the Psalms are an indispensable part of the private devotions of all who seek a closer relationship with God.Most important, however, the Psalms point toward the ultimate liberation of humanity from sin, death and despair through Jesus Christ.Father Pat Reardon, drawing on his long experience as an Episcopal, and then as a priest in the Orthodox Church, has produced a work of depth and devotion. He rightly understands that one cannot truly probe the deep meaning of the Psalms unless one understands them in the light of the redemption brought by Christ...He provides the fresh and intensely personal insights of a pastor to the study of the Book of Psalms."Every now and then a book comes along that is a small classic. Here is such a book: elegantly written, deceptively simple, and utterly absorbing."Father Addison Hart, Priest, Newman Center, Northern Illinois University

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Father Patrick Henry Reardon is the pastor of All Saints Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois and Senior Editor of *Touchstone*, a monthly journal. Father Reardon is the translator of the Book of Exodus for The Orthodox Study Bible. In earlier years he was a professor of Biblical studies at two Episcopal seminaries, a professor of Philosophy, and senior canon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Conciliar Press (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888212217
• ISBN-13: 978-1888212211
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Orthodoxy
  • #60 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Jewish Texts > Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Christ in the Psalms: Reverent, erudite, faithful, April 18, 2001

By 

dylanissimus "dylanissimus" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christ in the Psalms (Paperback)

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.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christ the Center - the prayer book of Christ and His Church, September 13, 2003

By 

matt (the reading room) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Christ in the Psalms (Paperback)

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!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Heart of Christ, February 22, 2005

By 

Jared P. Olivetti (Lafayette, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christ in the Psalms (Paperback)

Patrick Reardon has done me a wonderful service. I serve in a church that loves to sing the Psalms in worship (rather than hymns or other songs). One of my weekly goals is to show God's people that the Psalms are not just old covenant songs, but at their heart are truly centered on our Savior. Reardon's book does this, devoting a couple pages to each Psalm with the express mission of showing Jesus in each.

An example: Psalm 84 begins, "How lovely, Lord of hosts, are your tabernacles to me." Most of us could take a circuitous route to finding Christ in this phrase, but Reardon goes straight for the heart when he quotes Revelation 21:22, "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple." Jesus is our tabernacle! Great stuff, great book - would be well-suited for personal and family worship.

As an evangelical protestant, I have significant theological differences with the author (and with parts of the book) and I would be remiss if I didn't mention that. But the substance of the book remains of a high enough quality for me to recommend it!