Open and Unafraid


Book Description

"A book you will want to read and read again." -- Eugene Peterson Afterword by Bono. How can we find a more transparent, resilient, and fearless life of faith? The book of Psalms has been central to God's people for millennia, across all walks of life and cultural contexts. In reading it, we discover that we are never alone in our joys, sorrows, angers, doubts, praises, or thanksgivings. In it, we learn about prayer and poetry, honesty and community, justice and enemies, life and death, nations and creation. Open and Unafraid shows us how to read the psalms in a fresh, life-giving way, and so access the bottomless resources for life that they provide. "David Taylor’s take is 'open and unafraid' alright. He really goes there, exposing himself before God in the most beautiful way. He might have called the book Naked, because if you don’t find your own self feeling a little exposed here, it might be time to take some armor off." -- Bono, from the Afterword "A book that you will want to read and read again, and yet again, in order to discover the wisdom of the Psalms that shows us how to walk in the life-giving way of Jesus." -- Eugene Peterson, from the Foreword "A winsome, accessible entry into the Book of Psalms…Connects the poetry of the psalms to real-life wonders and struggles." -- Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary "Taylor reads these biblical prayers with Dr. Seuss, rappers, and other poets, along with theologians and the daily news....Guides readers in tracing out patterns of holy speech that have the potential for healing our hearts and our communities." -- Ellen F. Davis, Duke Divinity School "I have always loved the psalms--for their defiant devotion, their deep joy, and their brutal yet beautiful honesty. And after reading this fantastic book about them, I love them even more." -- Matt Redman, worship leader and song writer "In these fraught and fearsome days, we need the psalms more than ever. And we need more faithful artists and thinkers like David Taylor to mine the infinite gifts the psalms offer across the ages." -- Karen Swallow Prior, author of Fierce Convictions




Exposing the Psalms


Book Description

'You have to experience the Psalms to understand them. They're art, not essays. You understand art when it surrounds and barrages your senses, like it would at a gallery, a museum, or surrounded by paint and canvasses in an artist's studio. This book is a gallery where you can play with the art.' - Peter Nevland The introduction of this book encourages readers to 'mind the gap' between the distant ancient culture of the psalmists and our current world. The author outlines his method of interpreting the psalms (a nine-step interpretive process) before proceeding to explore 30 of the 150 psalms. The book has an unusual design - more like a montage of comments than a commentary in the traditional sense. It doesn't examine the selected psalms in their canonical order, but starts with Psalm 45, goes to 85, then to 23, then to 100, 24, and so on. Each commentary on the psalm is followed by a poem written by the author - a kind of lyrical exploration of some of the ideas in the psalm, which is, of course, itself a lyrical medium. 'Excellent - a great balance of popular accessibility and theological explanation.' - Graham Kendrick




Disappointment with God


Book Description

"Is God listening? "Can he be trusted?" In this book, Yancey tackles the questions caused by a God who doesn't always do what we think he's supposed to do.




The Psalms of David


Book Description

The Psalms of DavidJames S. Freemantle Foreword by Stephen Freemantle Back in print, The Psalms of David is a unique, beautifully illustrated edition of the revered religious work, also known as the Book of Psalms. The lifework of a little known genius, this facsimile edition of a magnificent hand-painted illumination of the Psalms of David is a stunning tribute to love and spiritual devotion. Born in India, James Freemantle traveled through the Middle East during his years in the British Army. Shortly after his second marriage, he began this hand-lettered, illustrated volume for his beloved bride, Clara. For the next thirty years, he periodically worked to transfer the psalms into a book that would physically match the lyrical beauty of the poetry. Throughout the book one finds the brilliantly colored blooms of India: the jacaranda, the flame-of-the-forest, huge yellow laburnums, brilliant poinsettias, and highly scented mimosa. The pages are alive with kingfishers and larks, drummers and hoppie butterflies, storks and pheasants. There are pictures of the lake near Freemantle's home, the nearby Brahmin temple, and the view from the train as he went up to school in the hills. Scenes from his travels in the army, Middle Eastern harbors and villages, and copies of illustrations from Victorian travel books reveal his draftsman's training in the accuracy of every detail. A labor of love, a work of art, a volume to treasure, this illuminated edition of the King James version of the Psalms of David is the perfect gift for all seasons.




The Psalms


Book Description

The Psalms: Language for All Seasons of the Soul brings together essays from eighteen Old Testament scholars discussing the latest in Psalms scholarship and applying exegetical insights to the life of faith. These essays explore the full range of emotion expressed in the Psalms—from elation to distress—while weaving together observations from biblical scholarship and theology. The reader will gain valuable insights into how the Psalms speak to his or her soul. The book is divided into five sections that: Give an overview of Psalms studies in the 21st century Discuss psalms of praise Explore psalms of lament Look at the big picture of the Psalter as a book Present sermons on the Psalms that are models of evangelical engagement with the text. A Select Bibliography for Psalms Study is included at the end of the book.




The Secret and Power Of Psalm 1


Book Description

The secret and power of Psalm 1 is an eye opener and foundation of the books of Psalm. It is a spiritual philosophy to mankind. The world rotates around this as a result of its importance. This book confirms and propagate why peace elude us and what to do in order to enjoy peace. This book of Psalm counsels us for the kingdom and the activities of the wicked to stop Christians of harvesting joy, peace, breakthrough, success and progress. It goes deep to reveal counsel of the wicked and its effect. The world is sinking as a result of bad counsel. The fact is enemy makes sure doors of glory close against the elect. Satan bought the heart of people that should be of help and make things difficult for the elect. The Lord appeared on the scene to take care of the chosen. He makes us to understand that the chosen won’t suffer. This book reveals how a chosen should handle wealth of grace and embrace it as a right to life as they are planted by the river side. The key of breakthrough is with you. This book exposes how to find it and use it to your advantage. There are ways to find and locate it. There is no magic about it. The heaven shall open and rain manna of wealth, favor and mercy unto you if you read, digest and pray the prayer in this book This book reveals deep secrets and power of Psalm one and abundance that can be tapped if spiritually applied. Deep understanding and knowledge of things is a road map to success and breakthrough. What you least expect but are important, are impregnated in this book of Psalm. Your love for this book shall make you proud and harvest wonders from the secret place of God. The days of being a victim in the hands of mockers is over. You shall ride on the horse of glory unmolested, fine tune your life with life changing discovery in this book and load your heart with joy. Doors of favor and mercy shall open, only you shall count unprecedented blessing of God today. The Lord is your strength as new page of success opens in your favor. Pick this book and claim your heavenly right.




The Psalms


Book Description

When we face trouble, feel joy, or just want spiritual inspiration, the Bible's Book of Psalms gives us wisdom and comfort. Rev. J.W. Gregg Meister shows us in The Psalms: The Prayer Book of Jesus that Jesus Himself turned to the psalms for strength and guidance while He walked on earth. Meister's fresh reflections open up the Book of Psalms for contemporary readers with helpful strategies for praying the psalms with Christian resolve. Grounded in his rich experiences as Presbyterian pastor, entrepreneur, and mission-minded videographer in Latin America and Israel, Meister offers valuable insights into the context, content, and claim of selected psalms. Written with clarity and compassion, Meister's perceptive meditations on these psalms manage the rare combination of deepening both understanding and faith.




Praying the Psalms with the Early Christians


Book Description

Mike Aquilina and Christopher Bailey open a treasure chest of ancient Christian wisdom that will enrich your experience and appreciation of the psalms. Each of the short chapters on selected psalms is designed to help you pray these beautiful and personal Old Testament songs-not just to read or recite them, but to make them part of your lives. Each chapter features the complete text of the psalm in the Revised Standard version format, a brief introduction that sets the psalm in context, "words to remember"-a few lines to recall throughout the day, short reflections in modernized language from one or two great early Christian thinkers, questions to help you apply the words of the psalm and the ideas of the early Chrsitain writers to your life.Also included are brief biogrpahies of the men and women quoted in the book.




The Wisdom of God


Book Description

This 10-week study of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon mines the Wisdom Literature not only for wise principles for living, but also for the wise person these books point to through their drama, poetry, proverb, and song. In her accessible and authentic style, Nancy Guthrie focuses on seeing Jesus in the Old Testament instead of emphasizing works-based moralism. She presents clear commentary and contemporary application of gospel truths, speaking directly to issues such as repentance, submission, happiness, and sexuality. Each weekly lesson includes questions for personal study, a contemporary teaching chapter that emphasizes how the passage fits into the bigger story of redemptive history, a brief section on how the passage uniquely points to what is yet to come at the consummation of Christ's kingdom, and a leader's guide for group discussion.




The Secrets of the Psalms


Book Description

When Jesus was dying on the cross for our sins, three of the seven statements he made at this critical moment of his life were from a single Old Testament book, the Book of Psalms. First, he cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" which was a quotation from Psalm 22:1. Later, he said, "I thirst," a quotation from Psalm 69:21. Finally, he prayed, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit," words drawn from Psalm 31:5. At the key moment in his life, our Savior drew his strength from Book of Psalms. Jesus made four other statements while he hung on the cross-"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do"; "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise"; "Woman, behold thy son!" and "It is finished"-but the only Scripture he quoted while on the cross came from the Book of Psalms. In his hour of deepest need, he found his help in the psalms.This book is written to teach you to do the same!Understanding the PsalmsWhat is a Psalm?A Biblical psalm is a Spirit-inspired prayer, originally voiced in song, addressing the need of a human heart-a need for mercy and forgiveness, a need for miraculous help (for healing or deliverance or protection, for example), the need to praise and worship the Creator, the need for guidance or comfort or justice or strength, or even the need to complain and question. The psalms address these and every other human need under the sun. The exciting thing is this: Because the psalms are Spirit-anointed prayers, they have the ability to tap into the presence and power of Heaven on behalf of everyone who reads and prays them, including you and me! That is why the Lord included them in his written Word, to make them available to his people down through the ages so that he could do miracles in their lives.