How to Read the Psalms

by Tremper Longman III

The Psalms are great to read when you’re feeling down. For that matter, they’re great to read when you’re feeling good. But for as simple and motivational as they seem, a time or two of reading can’t begin to touch the depths of their meaning.

For any beginning Bible student who wants to look deeper into these songs of Hebrew worship and prayer, I heartily recommend How to Read the Psalms. While it doesn’t spend a lot of time on any one Psalm, Dr. Longman introduces his readers to the various types of Psalms and what comprises each as well as the workings of Hebrew poetry.

Below is the table of contents from this book:

The Psalms Then and Now
1—The Genres of the Psalms
2—The Origin, Development and Use of the Psalms
3—The Psalms: The Heart of the Old Testament
4—A Christian Reading of the Psalms
5—The Psalms: Mirror of the Soul
The Art of the Psalms
6—Old Testament Poetry
7—Understanding Parallelism
8—Imagery in the Psalms
A Melody of Psalms
9—Psalm 98: Let all the Earth Praise God, Our Warrior
10—Psalm 69: Lord, I Suffer for Your Sake
11—Psalm 30: Thank You, Lord, for Healing Me!

While this book won’t unlock all the secrets to understanding the Psalms, it will get you well on your way to having a greater appreciation for and a better understanding of them.

The Editors do not advocate everything taught by the authors of the books we review. Like us, these authors are fallible humans and those who choose to read these books should measure them by the bible, the one true standard.