Saint John's Psalms-NRSV

2007 Catholic Press Association Award Winner

The second of seven full-color, page-by-page reproductions from The Saint John's Bible, Psalms engages the eye and ear with five distinct scripts and exquisite illuminations that include digital voice prints of sacred songs from many ethnic and religious traditions.

The Book of Psalms or praises is known as the prayer book of the Bible. For centuries, it has been a source of prayer,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814690564
• ISBN13: 9780814690567
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: Liturgical Press
• Length: 84 Pages
• Weight: 2.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 10.2" x 15.3"

Customer Reviews

Praying the Psalms Aloud

For a great read aloud, praying the Psalms Bible, the St. John's Illuminated Psalter is a beauty. Visually a masterpiece, with calligraphy text and unparalleled illustrations to assist listeners, this new illuminated Bible is a great addition to the home for anyone interested in bringing back to ancient tradition of reading the Bible aloud with others. Though pricey for each section of the Bible, what a gift to give to another who is thirsting for a drink from the deep well of Scripture. In true Benedictine style and spirituality of excellence, the St. John community has outdone themselves, offering an extraordinary gift to the English speaking world! For a practical book on family spirituality, including the habit of reading aloud from the Bible in your home, look into The Busy Family's Guide to Spirituality: Practical Lessons for Modern Living From the Monastic Tradition

Stunning Caligraphy

The beauty of this book is that it allows the words of the Psalms to sing. The calligrapher's art never gets in the way of the prayers. The other books that the monks of St John's Abbey have caused to be created are perfect and the illuminated texts are a feast for the eye. Sometimes though, we Americans just need to step back and savor the beauty of words. Donald Jackson has given us that opportunity. Savor it.

Excellent Manuscript

Looking at some of the previous reviews, it seems that the other reviewers are missing the point. This wasn't done by a computer; it was done by hand. "Increase the font size?" It isn't possible. It's not like it is a TrueType font on a computer. As for the lack of ornamentation, everyone is missing the point: the calligraphy itself is the art. NOBODY does this by hand, they haven't since the printing press was invented. The monks at St. John's Abbey did not do this to make money, or impress people, it was done to glorify God. If you need lots of pretty pictures to distract you while reading the Psalms, you are missing the point of the Psalms as well as the point of this project. When I think of the monks pouring over every word, making sure each stroke is perfect, that's all the inspiration I need.

Beautiful Calligraphy sorely misunderstood

Donald Jackson and his colleagues let their calligraphic skills shine in this volume of The Saint John's Bible. Unfortunately, many readers purchased this book hoping for the same level of illustration found in the Gospels and Acts voulme. What the detractors of Psalms utterly fail to understand is Jackson's intent to let the text of the psalms speak free from the artist's interpretation. The Psalms are perhaps the most personal texts in all of the Bible; it would have been truly unfortunate if the artist had imposed his vision on the psalms, rather than respecting their integrity as texts of personal and liturgical prayer.

Worthy of God's prayer book

This is a lovely way to look at the prayers that have expressed the faith of many over the millenia. A truly remarkable vision of the Psalms