Preaching's Survey of Bibles and Bible Reference
Preaching's Top 5 Commentaries
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor
stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his
delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and
night." (Psalm 1:1-2, ESV)
The book of Psalms has been the subject of daily and nightly meditation
throughout the history of the church, and has been a significant
resource for Christian belief and practice, often serving as the
church's prayer book and hymnal. Like generations of Christians before
them, the Protestant Reformers turned often to the book of Psalms, but
they did so during a time of significant spiritual renewal, theological
debate and ecclesiological reform.
In the Psalms the Reformers found comfort, guidance and wisdom from God
that applied to their context as much as it did to David's. As John
Calvin explained, the Psalms demonstrate every emotion that people have
experienced: "The Holy Spirit has presented in a living image all the
griefs, sorrows, fears, doubts, hopes, cares, perplexities, in short,
all the emotions with which human minds are often disturbed." Moreover,
as Martin Luther proclaimed, the Reformers also heard in the Psalms a
resounding affirmation of the good news of Jesus Christ: "The Psalter
ought to be a precious and beloved book because it promises Christ's
death and resurrection so clearly."
In this volume, Herman Selderhuis guides readers through the diversity
of Reformation commentary on the first half of the Psalter. Here are
both familiar voices and lesser-known figures from a variety of
theological traditions, including Lutherans, Reformed, Radicals,
Anglicans and Roman Catholics, many of whose comments appear here for
the first time in English. By drawing on a variety of
resources--including commentaries, sermons, treatises and
confessions--this volume will enable scholars to better understand the
depth and breadth of Reformation commentary, provide resources for
contemporary preachers, and aid all those who seek to meditate upon
God's Word day and night.
