Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy [Paperback]

Paul David Tripp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 26, 2008

What do you do when you've really blown it? Is sin really asdangerous and is grace really as powerful as the Bible says theyare? Is there such a thing as a new beginning?

Sin and grace-these are the two themes of our lives. We all blowit and we all need to start over again. In Psalm 51, David tellshis story of moral failure, personal awareness, grief, confession,repentance, commitment, and hope. And because David's story isevery believer's story, Psalm 51 is every believer's psalm. Ittells how we, as broken sinners, can be brutally honest with Godand yet stand before him without fear.

Whiter Than Snow unpacks this powerful little psalmin fifty-two meditations, reminding readers that by God's gracethere is mercy for every wrong and grace for every new beginning.Designed for busy believers, these brief and engaging meditationsare made practical by the reflection questions that conclude eachchapter.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Whiter Than Snow is music for the sinner’s soul. In fifty-two personal, creative, and sometimes poetic devotionals, Paul Tripp responds to Psalm 51 the way a jazz musician improvises on a familiar tune. In making this sweet music, Dr. Tripp makes King David’s confession our own, helping us get honest about our sin and opening our hearts to the mercy of Jesus.”
Philip Graham Ryken, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church

“Convicting and encouraging, cutting and healing. Paul Tripp delves into the misery of sin and the goodness of grace with insight and inspiration. This book wonderfully blessed me, and I pray for its widest possible reading.”
Daniel L. Akin, President and Professor of Preaching and Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Review

"Whiter Than Snow is music for the sinner's soul. In fifty-two personal, creative, and sometimes poetic devotionals, Paul Tripp responds to Psalm 51 the way a jazz musician improvises on a familiar tune. In making this sweet music, Dr. Tripp makes King David's confession our own, helping us get honest about our sin and opening our hearts to the mercy of Jesus."
—Philip Graham Ryken, President, Wheaton College

"Convicting and encouraging, cutting and healing. Paul Tripp delves into the misery of sin and the goodness of grace with insight and inspiration. This book wonderfully blessed me, and I pray for its widest possible reading."
—Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Books (June 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1433502305
• ISBN-13: 978-1433502309
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Paul Tripp is the president of Paul Tripp Ministries (www.paultrippministries.org), a nonprofit organization, whose mission statement is "Connecting the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life." This mission leads Paul to weekly speaking engagements around the world. In addition to being a gifted communicator and sought after conference speaker with Paul Tripp Ministries, Paul is the Executive Director of the Center for Pastoral Life and Care in Fort Worth, Texas, and has taught at respected institutions worldwide. As an author, Paul has written many books on Christian Living that are read and distributed internationally. He has been married for many years to Luella and they have four grown children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meditation on a great Psalm, July 30, 2008

By 

Brian "BK Sherm" (SAN DIEGO, US, Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy (Paperback)

This book is 52 small chapters (most are 3 pages) from an author who has obviously spent a lot of time thinking about this psalm and his position before God. Its introspective nature is reflective of what comes to the mind of a man when he understands his depravity and is unable to change unless God supernaturally changes his heart. The 51st Psalm is Davids prayers of repentance and want of Gods mercy for his sinful nature, the author here goes after the same aspects of sin in our lives,showing on many occasions how we assume we are better than we are, he takes many of the verses that make up the 51st psalm and shows examples of how we can go to God with these things to receive forgiveness, mercy, healing and spiritual growth. There are in the book what I would gather as prayers, from the author to God, that are very moving and useful for our own meditation. It is very easy reading but that doesn't discount the depth of importance of the lessons to be learned. I'd be surprised if laymen or scholar didn't benefit from this work.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful because it is Humbling and Dripping with Mercy, September 18, 2008

By 

Erik Raymond "IrishCalvinist.com" (Omaha, NE USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy (Paperback)

One of the truest benefits of genuine Christian friendship is transparency in view of the glory of Christ. If you are a believer you are no doubt feeling blessed if you enjoy such a relationship. I greatly value such relationships myself.

I feel as though Paul David Tripp is now in that camp for me. Now, of course, I do not know him personally, I've never hung out with him. However, in reading his latest book Whiter than Snow, I feel as though we have been meeting for coffee each Tuesday morning. It seems like he has been discipling and encouraging me through his book on the 51st Psalm.

In 52 short meditations the book brings the gloriously dangerous realities of grace and mercy down to eye level. In some chapters Tripp writes poems, others stories, some detailed exposition, and others he writes like he is in his journal. However he may vary the style the same note is hit: as hideous as sin is mercy is more glorious in triumph.

"Thank God that he has given us big grace! Each one of us needs grace that's not only big enough to forgive our sin, but also powerful enough to free us from the self-atoning prison of our own righteousness. We're not only held captive by our sin, but also by the delusion of our righteousness. Resting in God's grace isn't just about confessing your sin; it's about forsaking your righteousness as well. So we all need the big grace that's found only in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ." (p.29)

Many times folks ask me for a good book to go through with a friend--this is definitely one I would recommend. The book is Christ-exalting, ego-afflicting, and so therefore very valuable to those who pursue conformity to the image of Jesus.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heart-touching, personal and helpful!, August 11, 2008

By 

SteinHaus - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy (Paperback)

Tripp's writing is fresh and clear, understandable and simple. But more than that, it's powerful. This collection of meditations on our need of forgiveness and grace from God is piercing. The questions on each meditation are insightful and thought-provoking. Whiter than Snow has helped me in my walk with the Lord.