Classic Commentaries and Studies on the Psalms Upgrade (30 vols.)

Benefit from the insights of a sixteenth-century theologian who fought for the doctrinal purity of the Catholic Church. Juan de Valdés was an influential Spanish statesman and writer whose work placed him at odds with the infamous Spanish inquisition. His verse-by-verse exposition was intended for a popular audience interested in personal piety. This commentary on Psalms 1–61 was the first of Valdés’ many commentaries, but the last to be discovered long after his death.

Celebrated Baptist biblical scholar and archaeologist George Ricker Berry was renowned for his work in Semitic languages. His commentary on Psalms combines careful attention to Hebrew grammar and syntax with spiritual application.

This concise study by Hebrew expert George Bush summarizes the message, themes, and poetic devices found in the book of Psalms.

King David is one of the most important figures in the Old Testament, but the biblical writers never glossed over his faults—and neither did he. The penitential psalms contain his heartfelt confessions and demonstrate his reliance on the mercy of a loving God. This classic exposition by sixteenth-century Catholic bishop John Fisher examines those psalms verse-by-verse, focusing on the ways David’s repentance can be a model for our own. Volume one analyzes the first four penitential psalms: Psalms 6, 32, 38, and 51.

King David is one of the most important figures in the Old Testament, but the biblical writers never glossed over his faults—and neither did he. The penitential psalms contain his heartfelt confessions and demonstrate his reliance on the mercy of a loving God. This classic exposition by sixteenth century Catholic bishop John Fisher examines those psalms verse-by-verse, focusing on the ways David’s repentance can be a model for our own. Volume two analyzes the final three penitential psalms: Psalms 102, 130, and 143.

When Presbyterian pastor and renowned biblical commentator Albert Barnes preached on Psalm 52—an imprecatory psalm—his sermon incited a small scandal in his congregation. To address the concerns of church members, Barnes printed the manuscript of his sermon. His exposition serves as a powerful case study of a pastoral treatment of a difficult passage.

Thomas Bullfinch is best known for his Mythology: a definitive collection of myths and fables. His chronological rearrangement of the psalms is characterized by the same scholarly acumen that made Mythology an instant classic. Featuring notes and commentary by Bullfinch, Hebrew Lyrical Poetry provides a literary appreciation of the Psalms as masterpieces of ancient poetry.

Uncover the history behind the psalms. This analysis by John Mason Good arranges the psalms in chronological order, piecing together historical narratives from the life of David and examining how they informed the psalms he wrote.

Study the Hebrew vocabulary of the Psalms. This easy-to-use lexcion includes every Hebrew word in the Psalms and their English meaning.

Overview the major themes, genres, and uses of the Psalms with this engaging study. Intended for pastors, Sunday school teachers, and anyone interested in using the Psalms for personal devotion, this concise study includes chapters on communion with God, meditation, and the Psalter’s relationship with the Sermon on the Mount.

Glean insights on the Psalms with some of history’s greatest theological minds, including Athanasius, Charles Spurgeon, and George Whitefield. Intended primarily for devotional use, this collection of quotes works systematically through every heading and verse of the psalms.

This translation of the Psalms closely follows the literal meaning of the original Hebrew. Intended primarily for private study rather than public reading, it includes short notes on each psalm by translator William Kelly.

This introduction to the Psalter surveys the nature of Hebrew poetry, the historical context of the Psalms, and the history of their translation and use. It includes discussions of difficult issues such as the apparent “unforgiving spirit” of some psalmists and the imprecatory psalms.

This commentary by Catholic priest Robert Eaton focuses on spiritual devotion. It provides historical context, notes on grammar and poetic structure, and practical application drawn from fifty select psalms.

Methodist minister Clovis Chappell was famous for his optimistic sermons that focused on the needs of his hearers. This collection of sermons on the Psalms is characterized by the same engaging style that made him a beloved preacher for more than 40 years.

This classic study from Catholic theologian Ronald Murphy examines Psalm 72 in detail. Murphy analyzes poetic structure, comments on grammatical issues, and explores the messianic implications of the psalm.

Singing the psalms has been a tradition for thousands of years, but setting the words of the psalter to Western musical styles is challenging. This practical resource by Richard Mant answers that challenge by rendering the Psalms in English verse. By paying close attention to the text of the King James Version and comparing it to the Hebrew original, Mant produced a psalter that follows conventional rhyme and meters of Western poetry while staying faithful to the intent of the original writers.

This detailed commentary represents the culmination of scholar John Mason Good’s life’s work. Including notes on Hebrew grammar and vocabulary, Good’s exegesis draws out the historical and theological significance of each psalm while applying spiritual principles to readers’ lives.

This commentary on the Psalms provides historical and literary context and brief exegetical notes on the text. Each passage includes a survey of conservative and progressive interpretations and provides the tools readers need to come to their own conclusions—rather than providing pat answers. This volume includes notes on Psalms 1–72.

This commentary on the Psalms provides historical and literary context and brief exegetical notes on the text. Each passage includes a survey of conservative and progressive interpretations and provides the tools readers need to come to their own conclusions—rather than providing pat answers. This volume includes notes on Psalms 73–150.

This study by Catholic scholar Louis Conrad reconstructs the theological presuppositions undergirding Psalm 8. Special attention is given to the messianic nature of the psalm and its use in the New Testament.

Princeton scholar John de Witt’s translation and commentary of the Psalms includes in-depth treatment of each psalm, as well as insights into the structure and message of the book as a whole. Each psalm includes an introduction with notes on authorship, structure, and historic occasion, followed by de Witt’s translation and detailed notes on the Hebrew text.

This commentary by Anglican priest and scholar William Wilson includes notes on the authorship, historical occasion, message, and structure of the Psalms.

Originally written to supplement a Bengali version of the Psalms, this English translation by Anglican clergyman William Kay includes text-critical and exegetical notes. Kay pays close attention to the Psalms relationship to the rest of Scripture, cross-referencing other passages and noting variants in the Septuagint.

The Psalms have influenced human thought, literature, and culture for thousands of years. This historical survey of their interpretation, usage, and significance stretches from the early church to the beginning of the twentieth century, underscoring their treatment by important figures such as Origen, Gregory the Great, Martin Luther, Benjamin Franklin, and William Wilberforce.

Medieval rabbi David Kimhi has influenced generations of biblical interpreters. His translation and commentary on the Psalms possesses the same emphasis on clarity and strict, literal interpretation that has made him a respected scholar by Jews and Christians alike.

This commentary and historical survey analyzes each psalm in chronological order, beginning with those composed in Moses’ lifetime, and covering major periods in the history of Israel including the era of the Judges, temple worship, and the wisdom period.

Commissioned by the Reformed Dutch Church, these lectures by Talbot W. Chambers argues for the reliability of Scripture and the truth of Christian doctrine by analyzing the Psalms. Chambers focuses on passages that teach the doctrines of God, man, eschatology, and ethics.

In this study, Presbyterian minister William Evans examines Psalm 23 and related passages.

Convinced that technical commentaries create barriers for those unfamiliar with Hebrew, Catholic scholar E. Sylvester Berry wrote this practical, application-rich analysis of the Psalms, based on the text of the Latin vulgate.