Psalms 1–72, Volume 1 (Teach the Text Commentary Series)
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Throughout the centuries, the Psalms have held a beloved place in Judaism and Christianity, and in the lives of individual believers. They express in profound ways the thoughts and emotions of the soul, from the highest experiences of joy and praise to the lowest valleys of lament. C. Hassell Bullock has been deeply shaped by the Psalms, and this commentary is born out of a lifetime of loving study—as a Christian, a professor, and a pastor, and he bears these three perspectives into this volume. He skillfully leads the reader through each psalm, with attention paid to genre, structure, theology, and practical application. Here is wise guidance for preachers and teachers who wish to bring the timeless messages of the Psalms to today’s believers.
- Provides information pastors need to effectively communicate Scripture
- Contains a concise summary, main theme, illustrations, and interpretation for each passage
- Points to key themes and ways to communicate them to today’s audience
Top Highlights
“In light of the allusions to the Genesis narrative, we might also raise the question whether ‘you do not delight in sacrifice’ (51:16) is an allusion to God’s rejection of Cain’s sacrifice, and ‘bloodshed’ to Cain’s murder of Abel, his brother (Gen. 4);11 so serious is his sin that the psalmist may be casting himself in the role of Cain.” (Pages 391–392)
“he important thing about the city of God is God’s presence, not its fortifications.” (Page 347)
“The rod was used as a weapon, and the staff for support.” (Page 169)
“This is illustrated in the relationship of Psalms 22 and 23. That is, Psalm 22 closes with the vision of a great feast in the kingdom of God (22:29) with a view to proclaiming the Lord’s righteousness (22:31). As a follow-up, Psalm 23 relates that, indeed, the Lord leads in ‘paths of righteousness’ (23:3a ESV; NIV: ‘right paths’). The festival imagery is picked up in 23:5, both images affirming the present and ongoing reality of the kingdom of God, which in Psalm 22 was still future.” (Page 166)
“The verb ‘refreshes’ may also be rendered ‘restores’ (ESV), which may allude to the shepherd’s retrieval of a stray or endangered lamb.” (Page 168)
C. Hassell Bullock (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is professor of Hebrew Bible emeritus at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the author of the two volumes on Psalms in the Teach the Text Commentary Series as well as An Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books and Encountering the Book of Psalms.