Christ in the Psalms

Christ in the Psalms was originally published back in 2000 but has since been revised. If you own the original, like myself, you will first notice a more substantial introduction. In this edition, Fr. Reardon explains "The Unity of the Bible," "The Voices of the Psalter," and "The First Three Psalms." I never noticed this about the Psalms before, but the first three chapters form a theological outline for the whole book. The other major changes occurred in Fr. Reardon's commentary on Psalms 73, 75, 90, 94, and 106. Bear in mind this is the Septuagint numbering as the Septuagint Old Testament has 151 Psalms.As the title suggests, this book is a devotion/commentary on the book of Psalms with Jesus as the light by which to read them. With a commentary for each chapter, this book is just over 300 pages. However, don't let the size of this book intimidate you. Each commentary is only 1 page front and back, making it both manageable and enjoyable to read at your own pace. I recommend reading a Psalm and commentary in the morning and one at night. Using this schedule, one can make it through the book in other 3 months, but one a day is also a good reading pace.It is easy to read some Psalms and see how they relate to Jesus, like Psalm 23 (Psalm 22 in the Septuagint). However, don't think that this is just merely "The Good Shepherd Psalm." Fr. Reardon provides further insight that one may have never noticed before. In the 23rd Psalm, one can also see the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Chrismation/Confirmation). That explanation blew my mind, and I will never look at Psalm 23 the same way again.This is a book you must have in your library. I simply wish I could give it more than 5 stars. The only hard decision to make, when it comes to owning this book, would be if you own the original edition. You will have to decide if the changes mentioned above are worth buying the revised edition. I personally would, but that's just me. Check out Fr. Reardon's complementary title Christ in His Saints also available from Conciliar Press.

Christ in the Psalms is one of the rare books that one can consider a true "blessing" to have read. It gives the reader a lot of spiritual 'meat' to chew on, and yet it is entirely readable and accessable. Erudite without being academic. Spiritual without being maudlin. Entirely orthodox and filled with dry wit and wry observations. Sometimes a passage was like a hand on the shoulder whispering kindly advice in my ear; other passages sharp but much needed criticism. Simply outstanding. At a time when I had a very poor spiritual director and so much unhappiness in the seminary, Fr. Reardon provided sorely needed mercy and respite through his book.I have read this book twice, and in two ways. First, cover to cover, but in two or three chapter bits as an aid to meditation in chapel. The other way was skipping from psalm to psalm as I progressed through the (Roman Catholic) Liturgy of the Hours...praying the Psalms of the hour and then reading Fr. Reardon's commentary on the Psalms just prayed.As I write this review, I cannot help but to think of the words of the Disciples on the road to Emmaeus: "Did not our hearts burn within us he opened the Scriptures to us?"Perhaps the best thing I can say about the book is that it showed me the love and friendship of Christ in ways I had not known before. Therefore, I am compelled to recommend it to you and hope that you will get as much out of it as I did.

Great book, but from the Introduction (page XVII) it states "The Hebrew numbering is always provided in parenthesis..." In fact, it is the reverse. See page 31 where the title says PSALM 16 (17). Psalm 17 in our translations is discussed, not Psalm 16. Psalm 17 is the supposed Hebrew numbering but that is, in fact, the churches' numbering. Psalm 16 is the Hebrew numbering for our Psalm 17 because the Hebrews did NOT split Psalm 9. I don't think I'm crazy, I hope.

This was written by a priest for many years for his congregation to learn about the psalms. He looks at each psalm and uses historical references to help interpret the psalms. This helps those of us who don't know much about the Jews or the outlaying area and cities of that time. This is not something to read straight through, but to pick up every now and then. There is a chapter for every psalm.Here is a quote from page 55, speaking of psalm 28:"The setting of this tempest is a giant cedar forest, whose overarching branches assume the contours of a vaulted temple, and through this lofty sylvan shrine the booming voice of God comes pounding and roaring with a terrifying majesty, accompanied by the swishing of the wind and rain, while flashing bolts of lightning split the very trunks of the towering trees: 'In His temple everything speaks glory.'This is a psalm about God's 'glory' (kavod) and 'holiness. In any language, this is certainly a psalm to be prayed out loud, allowing the words to come rumbling through the soul..."

This book is a great way to begin to identify those Psalms (which are many) in which the Messiah is either directly speaking, is spoken of, or is inferred. It also points out many practical applications of the Psalms to the life of the church. I was a friendly, mild skeptic when I purchased this book, having heard many seek to find the Lord in what seemed like every syllable of the Old Testament. "He's got to be in there somewhere!!!" This "Where's Waldo" approach to bible study has led to many excesses, and may seem as though the student is "seeking to find Christ" under every rock, behind every bush, and around every corner in the Old Testament! That is NOT what's going on in this fine book. The author has truly blessed me through his patient, responsible treatment of the Scriptures. Thank you!

At a time when prayer seems to be a rarity in both laity and clergy, this book by Fr Reardon opens a door previously to tightly closed. He shines a light into the world of the Psalms as liturgical prayer and offers us insight into why the Church at one time encouraged the recitation of the psalter on a weekly basis. These insights were not lost to St Benedict who understood the value of the psalms in the life of a Contemplative and ordered them in such a way as to take his monks on a weekly journey during which they prayed the words Christ used, offer to the Father the plea's of a fallen world, and of course its praise.To look at just one psalm, number 1: "He delights in the Law of the Lord, and on that Law does he meditate day and night." Reardon notices that in this psalm is "our programme for the week: at various times during the day, and even the night to enjoy (hepets) meditation on God's Law." This "meditation could also be translated as "musing," and is a source of pleasure - "amusing." This is how the week of prayer will be spent, our psalm is saying: in the enjoyment of meditation." It is no coincidence that this psalm begins the week of liturgical prayer at first Vespers of Sunday.Perhaps casting aside the traditional use of the psalms is to cast away one of the deepest prayer tools outside of the Eucharist itself. Indeed one seems to directly complement the other.

Very enlightening

I am sure that anyone who tries this book will find a fresh interest in the Psalms. A book which will edify its readers.