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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Psalms in a Devotional Voice, April 7, 2010
This review is from: The Voice of Psalms (Paperback)
The Voice is an interesting translation project unlike the others currently available. The bible market has been dominated by literal, word for word and paraphrase translations, all produced by scholars working in the ancient languages and seeking to produce a Bible that aligns closely with the original apparatus while smoothing the syntax to varying degrees. While some translations have been idiomatically freer, few translation committees have taken the input of artists, poets and authors of fiction and given them free reign to retell God's story in the scriptures. The Ecclesia Bible Society does, and its work is to create a series of new translations for modern readers. The scriptures that result from the project are meant to appeal to a current day audience by retelling the story using modern language and imagery that brings inspiration to modern ears similar to that the Hebrew poetry brought to ancient listeners.
The Voice of the Psalms is a `retelling' of the Psalter that intends to restore the beauty of the original Hebrew poetry for the modern reader. I tend to be conservative in my approach to the Bible and the translations that I will use in the pulpit or for teaching but I can appreciate a Bible in a different voice that offers benefits for my devotional life. The Voice is just such a translation. By and large, the Psalms in The Voice are faithful to the structure and pace of an ESV or NIV with re-phrasings or rewordings to bring out a depth that straight translation might not highlight.
A familiar example that readers can compare is the 23rd Psalm, which many will know by heart. The NIV verses are:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (vv 1-3)
The Voice verses read:
The Eternal One is my shepherd, He cares for me always.
He provides me rest in rich, green fields beside streams of refreshing water.
He soothes my fears;
He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name. (vv 1-3)
The Voice's poetic presentation offers a new approach to a well known scripture. Devotional reading of familiar passages can be empty as they threaten to leave our heart by rote rather than with prayerful consideration. The Voice encourages us to pause, to consider the language and images, and perhaps to find the freedom to write the psalms to the Father in our own language. The book won't accompany me to preach except for illustrative purposes but I feel very comfortable in recommending this volume for personal prayer and reading. God is blessed when the creativity embedded in His people is released.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Artful, Musical and Helpful, April 7, 2010
This review is from: The Voice of Psalms (Paperback)
I'm intrigued by the narrative approach of The Voice translation, a recent attempt of the Ecclesia Bible Society to let Scripture speak in multiplicit voices at the same time. I've been enjoying the New Testament that was completed several months ago and now BookSneeze has provided the latest in their series: The Voice of the Psalms.
Not only is The Voice of the Psalms a collection of the traditional texts served up Ecclesia style, but it is a devotional style book that provides a reading schedule for separate disciplines. The Voice editors show not only a sensitivity towards a fresh approach, but also towards the rhythm of faith.
By its nature, this translation helps you slow down. In a number of ways, it's like having the Bible read to you by Jack Johnson, metered by muted nylon strings, yet uplifting as a smooth ride on a Pacific breaker.
Typically, when I look at varying translations, I use Psalm 23 as a gauge. I find the Psalm in this collection a cut above. The usual usage of "God" here is replaced by "the Eternal One." From the beginning, the reader must take pause to consider the enormity of our Creator. The Voice takes great liberty with adjectives, but to artistic and spiritual benefit. "Rich, green fields" is where we are led. Verbs take on a whole different, guiding dimension as the Eternal One "soothes [our] fears" and "makes [us] whole again." The assurance of verse 6 is properly and poetically rendered, "Certainly, your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me where I go, always, forever..."
The Voice of the Psalms is a songbook. It is a flourish on the shelf of artless interpretations. You may not like it. It's not going to be for everyone, but there will be plenty whose treasured time of Bible reading will be transformed into a concert of scripture heard in the surrounding ambiance of an oceanside amphitheater.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
An Artsy Book, February 2, 2010
This review is from: The Voice of Psalms (Paperback)
The Voice of Psalms: Psalms Retold by the Friends of Ecclesia Bible Society - a review
This volume doesn't look or feel like the average Bible. It is printed on heavy paper that has a colored background picture to make it look like old paper. Each Psalms is set apart by a horizontal border making it easy to find a particular chapter. It is also set up as a devotional with reflections or devotions every few pages. Twenty-eight day and forty day reading plans are included as well. This is another installment in Thomas Nelson's new translation "The Voice." This version will eventually cover the entire Bible.
This is an easy to use copy of the Psalms although the page background made reading more difficult for me. The appearance and layout make it seem like something good for daily devotions. It is clearly made to have an artistic appeal in its general layout, translation style and writing.
The content is of some concern to me. I am not comfortable with some of the theology that comes through in The Voice translation. Also, in place of "the Lord" this translation uses "the Eternal One." This may be an accurate translation (I am not qualified to decide), but feels awkward on my tongue when I am reading. The use of italicized word and phrases helps highlight added material. Some of this material is part of the theology being added into this translation.
The devotions included vary somewhat in quality. Some seem relevant, modern and applicable instantly to most any reader. Other come across as vague poetry that is difficult to apply to ones life. Perhaps this is a positive aspect, since other readers will likely have a different purpose in reading that I.
The most important thing to me is, of course, the translation itself. I am not a fan of the translation choices of this version. For that reason, I would not recommend "The Voice of Psalm."
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