Product Description

Every commentary on the "Book of Psalms" has had to face the issue that many of these prayers commemorate and celebrate wrath and vengeance. What is needed is not ingenious exegetical rationalization of ancient texts, but the kind of transformation into a work of piety and art that is provided here. Addressed are the needs of a world seeking to counter individual and societal injustices by a global peace born of personal peace through prayer and practice. In short, here is the "Book of Psalms" recast in the light of the continuing revelation and evolution of the authentic religious spirit of the scriptures.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #92701 in Books
• Published on: 2006-12-18
• Format: Deluxe Edition
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780826419064
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"'Merrill has reworked the Psalms in a loving, contemplative manner, which betrays none of the book's original vigor or essence. Rather, in a mode that is fresh and eloquent, Merrill's psalms evoke that deep sense of reverence and soul-stirring dialogue with the divine that is often eclipsed by the fear of the divine. Highly recommended for all libraries.' Library Journal 'A much-needed resource for home liturgies and individual prayer.' Contemporary Spirituality 'The very liveliness of the Psalms causes us to want to say them in our own language. Nan Merrill has done this marvelously, and I'm grateful for this labor of imagination and love.' Madeleine L'Engle 'Merrill allows the Psalms to be something new, fresh, contemporary, and yet themselves.' Walter Wink"

About the Author
Nan C. Merrill is the author of Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness, which has sold 50,000 copies and is in a tenth-anniversary edition. She lives in Jericho, Vermont, and Hannibal, Missouri.

Customer Reviews

Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness
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.

contemporary Psalms for lovers of God
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!

Psalms for Praying by Nan C Merrill
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.