The Psalms give a voice to a whole range of human experiences: joy, distress, confidence, repentance, expectation, gratitude, and praise. In this first volume dedicated to Psalms 1 to 72, Derek Kidner guides the reader through a careful study of these poetic texts that have nourished the faith of generations of believers.
The work begins with an introduction to the Psalter, addressing essential questions such as its structure, Hebrew poetry, the titles attributed to the psalms, the imprecatory psalms, and the messianic dimension that runs throughout the collection. A supplement by Émile Nicole also presents several aspects of contemporary research, notably the canon of the Psalms, their organization as a book, and the theology of the Psalter.
Derek Kidner then examines each psalm, seeking to highlight its meaning, structure, and message. His approach takes the richness of biblical poetry seriously while bringing out the great theological truths that emerge from it: the sovereignty of God, justice, confidence, divine kingship, hope, and the personal relationship with God.
An Anglican pastor and Old Testament scholar, notably at Tyndale House in Cambridge, Derek Kidner is renowned for his biblical commentaries, which are both precise and accessible.
A work particularly well-suited for personal study, Bible study groups, sermon preparation, and theology students. It allows for a deeper discovery of the Psalms while remaining attentive to their spiritual dimension and their significance for the life of the believer.