Praying the Psalms (By Thomas Merton) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Why has the Church always considered the Psalms her most perfect book of prayer?..." (more)
Key Phrases: God Himself, Incarnate Word, Mystery of Christ

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Merton shows us how to draw out the richness of worship from the psalter and to use it to achieve "the peace that comes from submission to God's will and from perfect confidence in him".......Catholic Review Service.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Liturgical Press; First Edition edition (June 1956)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814605486
• ISBN-13: 978-0814605486
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,233 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Merton's Joy in Psalm, January 1, 2001

By	Barry E. DeWalt (Redding, CA USA) - See all my reviews

As a Cistercian monk, a Trappist, Merton chants the Psalms on a daily basis. In having such frequent recourse to the Psalms, Merton provides his insight into the joy, passion, pleasure, and love that the Psalms reflect.

In a readable and pleasant dialogue, Merton conveys the "prayer of the Church", the psalms, to the laymen so that we too may experience the rich insight into God that they provide.

Aside from providing a great commentary on the Psalms, Merton delves into the mystery of God's relationship with his creation, man. Your spiritual life will be enhanced by reading Merton and the Psalms. This is, perhaps, not as captivating as Seven Storey Mountain, but it is worth the read.

63 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A clear, general intro to the Psalms, but slightly dated, December 1, 2002

By	Stephen M. Bauer (Hazlet, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was hoping to find the same penetrating and illuminating insights to the Psalms as can be found in Merton's writings about social issues. It wasn't that kind of book, but, nevertheless, this introduction to the Psalms is a little gem.

The beginning starts off like a set of frequently asked questions about the Psalms-an old fashioned catechism of sorts. At worst, some parts read like theological pious platitudes. The book was written in 1955, and much of it has a pre-Vatican II veneer. Merton seems to address Roman Catholics only. When he mentions the church, he means the institutional church, and he stresses obedience. He doesn't overdo these things. I just noticed them.

Merton centers the Psalms on Christ and the church. He extracts teachings about the Psalms from Saint Augustine as well as Saint Ambrose. Defying the repressive stereotype of the pre-Vatican II Catholic Church, Merton addresses the issue of emotion, both in the Psalms and in the one who prays them. What I did find very insightful was the idea that controlled emotion, because it is controlled, is often experienced as more intense than otherwise. This idea is a good counterweight to the unhinged emotion of some members of the post-Vatican II, Charismatic movement.

In the second half of the book, Merton delves into individual as well as groups and categories of Psalms. The main thrust of the book is to prepare the devout to begin to cultivate the interior life. What I did find illuminating is Merton's explanation of why we should praise God. He claims that, in doing so, we can help sense and cultivate an appreciation for God's love for us. I think there is certain emotion logic to that statement. It would be immensely therapeutic for anyone. Lastly, Merton holds hold up Mary, the mother Jesus, as a model of the interior life, for us to emulate. And that is a nice counterweight to the masculine harshness of obedience.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Meaniful and Timely, May 30, 2000

By	"dianne123" (Savannah, GA United States) - See all my reviews

Even though Mertons work is 44 years old it is very for today. This book helps you focus and understand the Psalms and outs them in a today view. I highly recommend this book for focusing on the Psalms and relating themt o today. In addition I have found all of Mertons work to be very realastic and one the layperson can put into daily use.