The Essential Bible Companion to the Psalms

by Brian L. Webster; David R. Beach

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2010

Overview

The Essential Bible Companion to the Psalms provides fundamental information regarding the meaning, background, context, and application of the Psalms. In addition to practical application, numerous charts are included that provide information about the various types of psalms (messianic, prophetic, etc.) along with a quick reference list of psalms that lend themselves to being used for worship or personal meditation or as a basis for praying the Scriptures.

Through the use of full-color visual images, the message and world of the Psalms are brought to life in a way never before presented, making this book not only an excellent resource for understanding the Psalms. The Essential Bible Companion to the Psalms is a must-have for students of the Bible, pastors, and anyone who desires to possess a unique reference guide to these ancient works of poetry and worship.

Key Features

• Classification of each psalm by its literary type
• Historical or theological background of each psalm and its connections to other biblical passages
• Application of concepts or images in each psalm and their significance for us today
• Special notes on words or phrases

Contents

Top Highlights

“There they complained against God while speaking to each other with bad attitudes. In the laments the psalmists complain of their situation. And though freely expressing their disappointment with God, they are turning to him, not away.” (Page 17)

“Verses 1–2 contrast the influence one chooses, the counsel of the wicked or the Law of God. Verses 3–4 contrast a well-watered tree with chaff as an image of the enduring strength that comes from the choice in verses 1–2. Verses 5–6 directly contrast the fate of the wicked and the righteous.” (Page 37)

“Most Israelites did not own scrolls and did not have a copy of the law of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy). Only priests, scribes, perhaps the very rich, and the king had regular access to the written Word of God.” (Page 37)

“The main types include praise hymns, laments, psalms that instruct, those specifically for liturgical use, and those for the king. We can divide these types into smaller categories. But at some point we realize these are artificial categories, because the ancient poets could and did write creatively. They might omit or add to the ‘normal’ elements, rearrange the sequences of parts, mix two ‘types,’ or cross the general ‘boundaries’ that we see now. Nonetheless, collecting them in certain groups is helpful, because it allows us to see common elements, trends, and meaningful variations.” (Page 15)

“Ancient Israel did not make a distinction between ‘head knowledge’ and ‘heart knowledge.’ Rather, it distinguished between those who truly obeyed God and those who honored God with their lips but whose minds/hearts were far from him. Choosing to have God’s Word ‘on your mind’ is an essential part of taking it into your ‘heart.’” (Page 154)

Product Details

• Title: The Essential Bible Companion to the Psalms: Key Insights for Reading God’s Word
• Authors: Brian L. Webster, David R. Beach
• Series: Essential Bible Companion Series
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2010
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Pages: 192
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. Psalms › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9780310497585, 9780310286899, 0310497582, 0310286891
• Resource ID: LLS:ESSBBLCMPNPS
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T23:42:37Z

About the Authors

Brian L. Webster (PhD) is an associate professor of Old Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He did his doctoral work at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He is a homeschooling father of four and a Youth Leader at his church.

David R. Beach (MA) is a licensed counselor who studied under Dr. Dan Allender at Mars Hill Graduate School. He teaches spiritual formation and psychology courses at Cornerstone University. He also cofounded Soul Seasons with his wife Cynthia—a workshop based ministry focused on spiritual and creative formation.