Customer Reviews

Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness

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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!

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.

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.

This book is captivating. Since buying Psalms for Praying in 2002 I have hardly let a day go by without reading it. I have read exerpts to others and this has enabled healing and change to come. The names for God are very enticing and the subtitle "An Invitation to Wholeness" is very apt.

The eliminating of all direct references to God, Lord, Yahweh was surprising.

And my main goal was to find some help in understanding the more difficult passages in the Psalms. having those passages eliminated was not the solution I was looking for.

Both the words and the meaning are so changed at times that it is hard to recognize them as the Psalms.

Therefore, I would recommend instead:

The One Year Book of Psalms: 365 Inspirational Readings From One of the Best-Loved Books of the Bible

God's Prayer Book: The Power and Pleasure of Praying the Psalms

Psalms: A School of Prayer

Be Worshipful (Psalms 1-89): Glorifying God for Who He Is (The BE Series Commentary)

Be Exultant (Psalms 90-150): Praising God for His Mighty Works (The BE Series Commentary)

For those who like different translations to help with understanding/meaning, recommend:

New Living Bible - 2007 update
New Century Bible
English Standard Version
New King James

Some of these can be found in combination which is nice reading them side by side:

Comparative Study Bible, Revised

Essential Evangelical Parallel Bible

Contemporary Comparative Side-by-Side Bible: NIV NKJV NLT The Message: The World's Bestselling Bible Paired with Three Contemporary Versions

Edited December 2011:
Since I had paid $25 for this book I tried again to get something out of it by using it during my prayer time. Now more than ever I can say that it is truly NOT the Psalms; but the Opposite. The Psalms are REAL, this book is about trying to live in a fantasy world - everything is good with the world/people, there are no problems, there is no unkindness, no cruelty, etc - if you don't believe in this fantasy world then something is wrong with YOU. Very odd stuff.

We forgive others because there is something to be forgiven, not because there was no harm done.

The stories of David's life clearly show problems and struggle and danger. He wasn't discussing imaginary problems, he was LIVING REAL problems - and he took those real life problems to God and asked God questions and poured out his fears and frustrations and tears. These are the true Psalms I can relate to; not denial of reality for the sake of living in a happy fantasy.

I am very sorry I spent my money on this book, but the only more wasteful thing would be to spend any more time on it. It has gone where it should have gone already, in the garbage.

While the psalms in this book are written maintain the essence of the original psalms, many of the original psalms sound rather vengeful and hate-filled, perhaps that more closely reflected the overall state of consciousness of people of those times - not that there aren't many people who feel that way these days, but these days more people seem to be spiritually awakened or at least have a desire to overcome their base impulses and truly follow the voice of the spirit within, the voice that always guides along the path of the Light, along the path of Love, along the path of realization that there is only ONE spirit expressing through everything.

To give you a taste for the psalms you can find in this book, here is the beginning of the psalm 107:

"We give thanks to You,
who are the Source of Love;
whose Light shines forth
throughout the universe!
Come, awaken our hearts
that we might do your work,
For, without you, we can do nothing;
'tis your Love that loves through us."

Ultimately, your success with prayers of any kind will come not from mechanically repeating something that someone else has written, but by looking into your heart and by speaking from your heart and in that respect, you may end up altering the wording even of the psalms you find in this book to fit the prayers that live in your heart.

Just as the psalm says:

"O, that you may learn to see
with your heart,
to hear and think with your heart, as well!"

And perhaps the most important point:

"O peoples of the Light,
Awaken to the knowledge that lives within you!"

And to conclude this in the Spirit of Oneness
(and the true spirit of the Bible, the very essence of it
and those who proclaim to be the followers of jesus Christ,
and those who call themselves spiritual,
regardless of their religion or lack of it):

"And know yourself! Let your aim be
to recognize who you are.
Aspire to live as sons and daughters
of Divine Love,
to enshrine the earth with divinity,
To honor all relationships as sacred,
and to live in peace and in balance of all things.
Acknowledge the sacredness of every path,
albeit different from your own;
In this way you honor the Great Mystery,
and the wonder of all life!"

Some people are uncomfortable or annoyed with using modern language in traditional scripture. For me, re-imaging gives not only a sense of presence but of perspective. Nan Merrill is a master of providing the essence of the language used originally, or perhaps used more traditionally would be correct, as she maintains a cadence and emotion of the psalms.

This is a book I use over and over in my personal spiritual practices. I highly recommend it, as well as the author.

I was told of this rewording of the Psalms when I expressed distress about the violent "Slay my enemies", Wipe out those that hate me" phrases in the traditional translations of the Psalms. Since I bought this book nine years ago its beautiful, inclusive language and non-sexist image-names for God, it interpretation of "enemies" as our own fears, it's focus on "going into the silence" has brought me through a year of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer, has provided just-right quotes for classes in spiritual formation that I lead, and has drawn me into the Psalms as no other translation or rewording has done. I've bought probably 100 paperback copies that I have given away.

This rather loose translation of the psalms makes for a beautiful expression if you are looking for something moving, musical and prayerful. Give it a try if the Psalms are part of your spirituality and also if you don't mind venturing from the usual translations we've been used to for years.

A soothing balm of love and encouragement. Every reading is a blessing. I read as a devotional with two co-workers.