Singing in the Reign: The Psalms and the Liturgy of God's Kingdom

by Michael Barber

Book Overview

Christians know the Psalms, sing the Psalms, and pray the Psalms more than any other book of the Bible. Yet, even as believers have grown more devoted to individual psalms, they have lost the big... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1931018081
• ISBN13: 9781931018081
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Emmaus Road Publishing
• Length: 188 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

The Best Catholic Introduction to the Psalms in Print!

At least in English, this book is in undoubtedly the best introduction to the Book of Psalms presently in print. It is written by a Catholic biblical scholar who is on fire for the Word of God and wants to get that Word out. But this book is much more than just an introduction to the Psalms. It is an introduction to the theology of the entire Bible. This book begins with a generous introduction by Dr. Scott Hahn. Dr. Hahn not only introduces the book but also helps to set the stage for a Christological interpretation of the Book of Psalms, canonically interpreted. In the short chapter 1, Barber clarifies exactly what he wants to do with the entire book: "It [this book] will show how the historical hope for the restoration of the Davidic kingdom, was fulfilled in the coming of Jesus. This kingdom was the means by which God would extend his covenant family bond to all men. In doing so God would restore man to the original calling that Adam received: divine sonship." (35) In part one, which is comprised of chapters two, three and four, Barber presents a theology of the Psalms. He proceeds in Chapter 2 to review the Davidic covenant as the Old Testament climax. He begins at the beginning: Genesis 1. Utilizing the theme of "covenant", which undergirds the entire Bible, he gives the reader a bird's eye view of the important covenants up to the Davidic covenant. This latter covenant "is not simply a private oath sworn to David. It is the climactic event of the history of God's covenant dealings with mankind in the Old Testament. Through the Davidic king, God will restore the covenant relationship with humanity that was lost since Adam fell at the dawn of time."(57) In Chapter 3, Barber provides an overview of some the themes of the Psalms, which include the New Exodus (which is the restoration of the 12 tribes of Israel and the nations under the Davidic king), the movement from Sinai to Zion, the role of wisdom and its relation to the Torah, and finally the Todah or "thank offering". Finally in Chapter 4, the reader is led through a canonical study of the Book of Psalms. Divided into five "books", Barber skillfully delves into each one with his usual lucidity and conciseness. But he doesn't stop there. Now comes part two, which is comprised of three chapters and brings the entire story to its climax: Jesus and the Restoration of the Kingdom, with the church as the Kingdom of God on earth. He explains that "[t]he Church is the extension of the Kingdom of God on earth, because the Church, through her sacramental ministry, extends God's covenant family relationship to all men."(154) In the epilogue, Barber exegetes Romans 9-11, explaining God's fatherly plan for finding the lost tribes. Although a Scripture index would have been helpful, this is a well-written book of Biblical theology. Although not all aspects of his insights may turn out to be accurate under scrutiny, the gist of the book is worth the journey taken. Written for th

A Book Review by the Rev. Fr. Johann W. Vanderbijl III

Despite the corny title and equally corny headings from time to time, the book delivers more than its title reveals. The rather lengthy introduction by Scott Hahn (an ex-Presbyterian and fairly recent convert to Roman Catholicism) sets the tone for the rest of the book. Old Testament symbolism provides the backdrop for the further development of the Davidic Covenant theme proposed by the author for the reading of the Psalms. Much of this type of work has been covered by lesser-known authors such as James Jordan (especially in his book "Through New Eyes", Wolgemuth & Hyatt Publishers, Brentwood TN, 1988) and Peter Leithart (both Presbyterians), whom the author quotes a few times. It is, perhaps, this background work that will prove to be the most fundamental part of this publication as it recaptures an area long neglected, not only in scholarly circles, but also in the Church at large. So much of biblical language in both Old and New Testaments is steeped in symbolism and if the reader of Holy Scripture has not done his or her homework in this vast yet vital field, he or she will find that so much simply slips by unnoticed or is ignored or, worse, written off as indecipherable apocalyptic language open only to those who wrote the words and those who heard them for the first time. Thus to read an author attempting to recapture the essentially Hebraic form of Holy Writ is refreshing to say the least. Far too many authors still fall prey to the Hellenistic interpretations largely inherited from the Enlightenment. However, there is a danger of finding symbols under every rock, tree and serpent once the bug has bitten and one has to exercise a fair amount of caution (not to mention humility which at times seems to be sadly lacking in the opening and closing chapters of this book) to ensure that one remains squarely within the parameters set by Scripture itself. Barber also draws our attention to another very important trend in recent biblical scholarly work and that is a re-emergence of a canonical approach to Scriptures. Ever since the so-called Higher Critics invaded the hallowed halls of Christendom, scholars have been all too busy speculating about issues not conducive to the serious study of the Word as God has seen fit to preserve it for our use. The logical conclusion to their approach has been a hermeneutic of suspicion in which the Scriptures are "guilty unless proved innocent". Taking the Bible at face value, working with what we have and allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture as the primary source of Divine revelation (as that is what it claims to be) is surely the gentlemanly way to treat ancient literature, and Barber calls us back to a hermeneutic of trust and respect. Working with the whole of God's revelation is the only way to truly know God as He has chosen to reveal Himself. As such, Barber sees what the Early Church saw...the New revealed in the Old. This is the foundation upon which he builds his exegesis of t