Description: In the inspired poems of the Psalms, we find the full range of human emotions laid bare before the heart of God--and in settings familiar to our experience. The Psalms are songs that God himself teaches us to sing: songs of joy, songs of pain, songs of fear, and songs of faith. Pastor-theologian Richard D. Phillips provides thoughtful, devotional commentary on the psalms of Book 2 (Psalms 42-72), which is distinctive for its variety of authors. He shows that in the spiritual walk of faith, these psalmists take believers by the hand and guide us in our communion with God, pointing always to Christ.
Brief description: Richard D. Phillips (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary; DD, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary) is the senior minister of Second Presbyterian Church of Greenville, South Carolina. The author of over forty books, he is coeditor of the Reformed Expository Commentary series, a trustee of Westminster Theological Seminary, and a council member of the Gospel Reformation Network.
Review Quotes: "The book of Psalms is a divinely inspired handbook of worship--God's 'how-to' book of worship. Only the operation of inspiration can explain the book's remarkable unity in spite of its multiple authorship. The personal and sundry ways that each author expressed his feelings, fears, doubts, joys, sorrows, and desires are paradigms illustrating how God expects worshipers to express themselves. The Psalms address the issues of life. In his exposition of Psalms 42-72, Phillips carefully explains the details of the Psalms in concise and clear language and consistently bridges the distance between the then of the ancient poems and the now of current life. Laypeople will benefit as they read the commentary with their Bibles open, and pastors will be instructed in how to turn their exegesis into meaningful sermons for their congregations."--Michael Barrett, VP for Academic Affairs/Academic Dean, Professor of Old Testament, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids