Psalms, Vol. 1: Psalms 1-41 (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms) (Hardcover)

~ John Goldingay (Author), Tremper Longman III (Editor)
Key Phrases: yiqtol verb, qatal verbs, second colon parallels, Theological Implications, Most High, Pierre Auffret (more...)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Goldingay (Ph.D., University of Nottingham) is David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of numerous books and articles, including commentaries on Daniel and Isaiah and an Old Testament theology.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801027039
• ISBN-13: 978-0801027031
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #418,494 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful, Reverant, Insightful and Pastoral, January 27, 2007

By	M. Blodgett "M. Blodgett" (Fort Wayne, IN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Thank you Dr. Goldingay for a truly helpful commentary on the Psalms. This commentary is aimed at pastors and seminary students, (Scholars will not be disappointed either). Goldingay provides a careful and fresh translation of each Psalm, a 65 page introduction and Christological interpretation to the Psalms. Each psalm is given an introduction, and notes of translation. Dr. Goldingay follows up with verse by verse comment and finally, a closing on the theological implecations. He interacts with scholarship of all eras, favorites such as Jerome and Luther, and includes many of our day as well ( Klaus Baltzer, Linda M. Maloney, Eugene H. Peterson and Walter Brueggemann; etc.) Currently, I have 6 commentaries on the Psalms, including Davidson, Terrien, Craigie and Mays, yet this surges to the top because of its ability to "stick" in my mind. Dr. Goldingay's pen is clear, reverant, concise and insightful.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent exposition of the Psalter!!!, September 7, 2007

By	scourge39 "scourge39" (Archbald PA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Volume 1 of John Goldingay's trilogy on the Psalter is a tour de force, combining detailed exegesis with theological reflection. It begins with a fairly lengthy, but informative introduction that addresses authorship, formation of the Psalter, and the various types of Psalms. His exegesis of Psalms 1-41 is currently the most thorough available. The verse-by-verse exegesis transliterates the original Hebrew grammar, making the commentary very user-friendly for those lacking knowledge of the original language. While this commentary is an altogether solid effort, Christians desiring to better understand the use of the Psalter in the NT will find Goldingay's work immensely helpful. Pastors who love the Psalter, but don't quite know how to preach from it have a treasure trove of fine theological exegesis in Goldingay's work that guides the reader from the original OT context of each Psalm, into its NT usage whenever a particular Psalm is quoted there from the Septuagint (LXX) and finally into contemporary theological application. It will most definitely prove to be an illuminating read for anyone interested in studying, understanding and expounding the Psalter. Moving from text to sermon should be relatively easy for anyone using this commentary. Goldingay writes with the precision of a master exegete and the penetrating insight of a theologically-minded pastor. He displays his mastery of OT theology throughout and also interacts with sources as diverse as John Calvin and Eugene Peterson, solidifying the viability of his theological applications and their contemporary relevance (Perhaps Goldingay should write a homiletics textbook at some point. I'm certain that it would exponentially surpass most of the instructional books on preaching the Old Testament that are currently available!). Even laypersons desiring to study the Psalter more deeply will profit greatly from Goldingay's work. The NIVAC and WBC volumes on the Psalter are very good, but they do not combine exegesis with theological reflection and contemporary application as thoroughly, solidly and seamlessly as Goldingay does here. The section on Psalm 23 is reason enough to buy this commentary! The rest of the commentary is equally outstanding and will hopefully change the way those who read it view the Psalter itself, worship, prayer, and God himself for the better. This volume and its 2 forthcoming installments should prove to be the standard 'critical-Evangelical' Psalms commentaries for years to come. This first volume on the Psalms has certainly set a high standard for this particular specialized series; I expect nothing less from the other two installments.

The forthcoming (single?) volume on the Psalms for NICOT will most likely not be able to hold a candle to Goldingay's trilogy. Hopefully, these volumes will compel the NICOT editors to publish three equally thorough commentaries on the Psalter instead of a mere single volume. Highly recommended!!!!