Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness [Deluxe Edition] [Paperback]

Nan C. Merrill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 18, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0826419062 | ISBN-13: 978-0826419064 | Edition: 10

Every commentary on the Book of Psalms has had to face the issue that many of these prayers commemorate and celebrate wrath and vengeance. What is needed is not ingenious exegetical rationalization of ancient texts, but the kind of transformation into a work of piety and art that is provided here.Addressed are the needs of a world seeking to counter individual and societal injustices by a global peace born of personal peace through prayer and practice. In short, here is the Book of Psalms recast in the light of the continuing revelation and evolution of the authentic religious spirit of the scriptures.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Merrill has reworked the Psalms in a loving, contemplative manner, which betrays none of the book's original vigor or essence. Rather, in a mode that is fresh and eloquent, Merrill's psalms evoke that deep sense of reverence and soul-stirring dialogue with the divine that is often eclipsed by the fear of the divine. Highly recommended for all libraries.—Library Journal

(Library Journal )

A much-needed resource for home liturgies and individual prayer.—Contemporary Spirituality

The very liveliness of the Psalms causes us to want to say them in our own language. Nan Merrill has doen this marvelously, and I'm grateful for this labor of imagination and love.—Madeleine L'Engle

Merrill allows the Psalms to be something new, fresh, contemporary, and yet themselves.—Walter Wink

"Psalms for Praying, 150 quasi-paraphrases by Nan. C. Merrill has been revised to celebrate its tenth anniversary. It pertains to people praying any or all of the Psalms less woodenly or bewilderingly or distantly than they otherwise might, being neither ancient Hebrews nor Bible scholars. She loosens things up. In Psalm 10 she turns the words "the wicked hotly pursue the poor" (and, on the face of it, causing trouble for us good guys) to 'I strike out against those weaker than myself." With her nimbly turning the tables, we pray-ers see ourselves on the other side of the picture. We may find ourselves more nimble and humble when next we open our Bibles to Psalm 10?or to chapter 10 or verse 10 anywhere else in the inspired set of Books." — Philip C. Fischer, Review for Religious, Vol. 66, 2007 (Reviews for Religious )

“Psalms for Praying, 150 quasi-paraphrases by Nan. C. Merrill has been revised to celebrate its tenth anniversary. It pertains to people praying any or all of the Psalms less woodenly or bewilderingly or distantly than they otherwise might, being neither ancient Hebrews nor Bible scholars. She loosens things up. In Psalm 10 she turns the words “the wicked hotly pursue the poor” (and, on the face of it, causing trouble for us good guys) to 'I strike out against those weaker than myself.” With her nimbly turning the tables, we pray-ers see ourselves on the other side of the picture. We may find ourselves more nimble and humble when next we open our Bibles to Psalm 10?or to chapter 10 or verse 10 anywhere else in the inspired set of Books.” – Philip C. Fischer, Review for Religious, Vol. 66, 2007 (, )

About the Author

Nan C. Merrill is the author of Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness, which has sold 50,000 copies and is in a tenth-anniversary edition. Her widely used Meditations and Mandalas: Simple Songs for the Spiritual Life is also published by Continuum. Merrill founded the monthly newsletter Friends of Silence, served with urban parish teams, facilitated retreats, and was engaged in prison ministry for more than thirty years. She passed away in January 2010.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Continuum; 10 edition (December 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826419062
• ISBN-13: 978-0826419064
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > Prayer

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars contemporary Psalms for lovers of God, November 20, 2007

By 

H.E. Pennypacker (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness (Paperback)

This is hands down, the prayer book I most often use in my own devotional practice. Nan Merrill has done a very good job distilling the essence of the Biblical Psalms while refashioning their imprecatory, violent aspects into less harsh images of inner psychological distress and conflict.

This was not meant to be a replacement or even an improvement of the original versions. The genius of the Biblical Psalms is that the Psalmists dared to express the full spectrum of their human pathos and emotions nakedly before the One who had the power to transform and save. Their unsanitized and graphic confessions of human angst are refreshingly authentic for those of us who tend to whitewash or deny our own inner shadows.

However, I imagine there are many like me who find it helpful to contemplate the spirit of the Psalms without the refrains of imprecation, revilement and judgment. Religious intolerance and violence leaves many of us cold in an era when God's wrath is often called upon to destroy those of differing beliefs. And after all, haven't we all been radically called by Christ to love our enemies and to do good even to those who do us harm?

Enthusiastically, I believe NM has brilliantly succeeded in providing us with a wonderful devotional resource for those wanting to vivify their loving relationship with God. The Biblical Psalms have proven to call to the inner depths of countless saints and pilgrims since their first utterance. NM's versions offer more contemporary renditions for a new day that carry on in that fine tradition. Read them both!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness, May 6, 2007

By 

Norma M. Barr (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness (Paperback)

This book by Nan C Merrill is one that every one needs to have as a spiritual resource. It brings greater depth and meaning to prayer life; it brings the Psalms to life in a way I have never experienced. The words in this book connect my heart to the heart of God. I would definitely recommend this inspiring book.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Psalms for sunny days, January 22, 2008

By 

Virginia J. Prickett "retired librarian" (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness (Paperback)

Psalms for sunny days, for New-age Buddhists.
Wipe out those that hate me" phrases in the traditional translations of the Psalms. Get with it. Be happy.

Another Amazon reviewer wrote, "Since I bought this book, its beautiful, inclusive language and non-sexist image-names for God ....its interpretation of "enemies" as my own fears....." I am glad she found help in this book during a terrible time in her life.

But when the worst happens - and it has and will again - I need the hard edge psalms to know that a human poet, writing thousands of years ago experienced the same pain, fear, and rage that I do yet came through it.

A pleasant enough devotional - but not the whole story.