Customer Reviews

Psalms: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching & Preaching)

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A good commentary is one that gets used.

I have owned this commentary for a few years and after having read several dozen commentaries on the Psalms, I still find Mays consistently trust worthy and useful. Evangelical, Catholic and Orthodox readers should find this commentary palatable and without disappointment.

It is much easier to navigate than say the Word Biblical Commentaries, particularly due to both its brevity and minimized use of academic language. The individual who lacks familiarity with Biblical languages and academic bibliographies will be assuaged with the reader friendly quality of this series. Formal footnotes are lacking, however the commentator will occasionally reference sources within the text.

This is not an academic volume; it is for lay teachers and preachers as indicated on the back cover. If a person is serious about scholarship in the Psalms there is no one single commentary to help you. A good bibliography will then become essential as will access to a theological library.

Nevertheless, Mays is thoughtful and concise about sketching the literary structure, theological points and historical context within the short "essay" style presentations.

The brevity of time spent in each Psalm does not result in shallowness nor bring cause to believe the author had a lack of things to say, but is rather a mark of brilliance in writing and thinking. Subtle marks of scholarship are evident throughout. The author makes frequent reference to Ancient Near Eastern ideas or influences helping create context since most readers will not have this prerequisite knowledge or access to such resources.

Overall I have found Prof Mays exegesis and theological interpretation to be fairly representative of conservative Christians, both modern and patristic.


The construction of this book is sturdy and has withstood several readings and still appears in very good condition. The paper is supple and the print and font is easy to read.

As supplemental reading to any commentary on the Psalms, I also recommend, "Interpreting the Psalms" by Dr Mark Futato. This work may be a bit heavy for a layperson, in which case Dr Futato has other published works that are less academic.

INTREPRETATION Volume on the Psalms is a very well researched and scholastic text. The book explains the nature, theology, and history of the Psalms with clarity. A highly recommended text.

One's view of the book is dependent upon what one is seeking. Yes, it is a "readable expository essay" as proclaimed by the back cover. The essay is not peopled with the sort of narrative insight and entertaining draw into the human condition that we have become accustomed to in entertaining recent commentaries. It is scholarly and useful.