The Psalms (Sacred Text) [Paperback]

Kathleen Norris (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sacred Text | Publication Date: November 1, 1997

The first volume in the new Sacred Text series, this work will provide a truly innovative and inspiring approach to a classic tradition of religious literature. The Book of Psalms holds a special place in the canon of Western religion. Here, Kathleen Norris guides the modern reader through the Book of Psalms with astonishing clarity and insight, helping readers see how this ancient book of praise is as relevant today as ever.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Prayed for thousands of years, the Psalms address human pain, anger, confession, thanksgiving, and more. This commentary by poet/essayist Norris (The Cloister Walk, LJ 3/15/96) is not the usual psalm-by-psalm, verse-by-verse historical, linguistic, and theological exposition but instead a lengthy introduction first to the Psalms themselves and then to the King James Version (KJV) of them. Norris points out that the Psalms are an excellent introduction to the Bible because of their many themes (e.g., Exodus, the giving of the Law, the outcry against injustice), and she argues for the KJV because its English best reflects the original Hebrew and its language is unforgettable. The Psalms are printed with ample space between verses, calling for meditative reading. A welcome addition to religion and spirituality collections.?John Moryl, Yeshiva Univ. Libs., New York
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Trade; 1 edition (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573226475
• ISBN-13: 978-1573226479
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,406,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Why bother?, November 12, 1997

By 

Mark Pritchard (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Psalms (Sacred Text) (Paperback)

I was hoping that Norris, who wrote about being a Benedictine oblate in "The Cloister Walk" (oblates vow to pray regularly using the Psalms) was preparing an edition of the Psalms that could be used devotionally. But this version has a number of problems.

For one thing, the translation used is the King James Version which, for all its literary strengths, is problematic for many readers. For another thing, Norris' "commentary" is limited to a single short essay, mostly explaining why she used the King James Version.

But the biggest problem is that the book is too large (more than 8 inches tall) to be carried around easily, and its type is too small, like 9 point, with huge spaces between each verse. For the life of me, I can't figure out why they laid the book out this way, but it makes it extremely un-user-friendly.

I got the overall sense that this book was prepared by the publisher mainly to give Norris' many fans, who were drawn to her practical yet poetic explanations of devotion in "The Cloister Walk," something else to buy for the holiday season.

Mark Pritchard

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Place to Start, August 12, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Ann Arbor MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Psalms (Sacred Text) (Paperback)

It's important to remember that Kathleen Norris did not write this book. She provided an introduction to an ancient and venerable text.

If you are one of the many people who are illiterate when it comes to the Bible, this is a good place to start. As a "slow-learning Christian" I found this book a comfort. I purchased my first copy and will be ordering many more. To give as gifts to those who are hungering for spiritual direction.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing., December 6, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Psalms (Sacred Text) (Paperback)

Having just finished a long journey through "The Cloister Walk" I do not consider myself at all qualified to provide an objective review of "The Psalms". But the in-depth commentary on the Psalms, the saints, the Church, on liturgy and theology..and especially the people of the monastic world.. which was so very prominent in her "Walk" is missing. To compare is, of course, patently unfair. However, in my opinion a book's value is not in merely restating what has already been written, but in the creative contributions to and interpretations of what already is. This does not happen. Shame on the publishers!