A Commentary on the Psalms: Volume 1 (1–41)

Written by Allen P. Ross Reviewed By Daniel S. Diffey

Allen P. Ross's A Commentary on the Psalms represents the inaugural volume in the Kregel Exegetical Library. Ross is a professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School and has published commentaries on Genesis, Leviticus, and Proverbs as well as a widely used Hebrew grammar.

This volume contains an introduction to the entire book of Psalms and exegesis and exposition of the first book of the Psalms (Pss 1-41). The introduction is quite extensive and contains about 155 pages of background on the entire Psalter. The introduction begins with a discussion of the value of the Psalms. In this section Ross discusses how the “Psalter has for ages served as the book of praises and prayers for the worshipping community as well as for devout individuals in their private meditations” (p. 28). The Psalms then serve as “the model for our songs of praise, the instruction for our prayers and meditations, and the inspiration for our quest for piety” (pp. 28-29). In the remainder of the introduction Ross discusses the text and ancient versions of the Psalms, the meanings of the titles and headings in the Psalms, the history of interpretation of the book, how to interpret Hebrew poetry, the different literary forms of the Psalms, how the Psalms are used in worship, the theology of the Psalms, and how to exposit the Psalms.

The commentary proper discusses each psalm in three sections: an introduction, a commentary in exposition form, and a discussion of the message and application of the psalm. The introduction consists of three parts: a translation of the text and a discussion of the textual variants, a discussion of the context and composition and context of the psalm, and an exegetical analysis of the psalm (which consists of a summary and outline). The commentary in exposition form goes verse by verse through the psalm and is based upon the outline that is given in the exegetical analysis section. The commentary is a mixture of pastoral sensitivity and academic analysis. Each section of the psalm is summarized in one line and discussed in a very thorough manner. The final section is the message and application of the psalm. This section discusses the relevance of the psalm for life today and usually draws links to other biblical texts, especially NT texts that have affinity with the concepts or themes that are present in the psalm.

This volume is a veritable gold mine of expository content and academic analysis. There are several features within this volume that make it an indispensable resource on the Psalms for the student, the pastor, or the academic. First, like Ross's other commentaries this volume not only contains great exegetical content, but also keen pastoral insights. It is rare for a commentary to contain both of these elements, but it is even rarer for a commentary to do both of these things exceedingly well. I imagine that a great many preachers will use his one sentence summaries as their explanation of the psalm. By way of example, his summary of the message of Ps 8 is this: “God has chosen to display his majesty by enabling weak and vulnerable mortals to play a part in carrying out his plan for creation” (p. 298). Second, each psalm is thoroughly researched and analyzed. One of the ways that this is most readily apparent is in the analysis of individual words in their Hebrew form. Many commentaries, even technical ones, shy away from using the Hebrew text and favor transliteration, but this volume (and hopefully the series as a whole) does not. Third, the message and application section serves as a great help for both teaching and meditation in the personal application of the psalm. Ross's insights are tempered by sound exegesis and robust biblical-theological knowledge.

While my comments about this volume are overwhelmingly positive, there is one thing that could have improved this volume: a lengthier discussion on the current trends in Psalter study. Ross spends much of his time in the history of interpretation section discussing the form critical method that dominated Psalms study for much of the previous generation. This, however, has not been the main concern of more recent research on the Psalms. One of the major discussions (if not the major one) in Psalms research today is the canonical shape of the Psalter and whether the book as a whole contains a coherent or intentional message. This subject is largely ignored in this volume. This, however, does not distract too much from the overall high quality of the work whose great value is found largely in the analysis and commentary of each of the individual psalms.

This volume should serve as a primary volume for preaching and teaching Psalms 1-41 and would benefit any student, pastor, Bible study teacher, or biblical scholar. It will be the first volume that I consult when teaching or researching one of these psalms. Ross's volume makes the Kregel Exegetical Library look very promising as a series. Time will soon tell whether the series will maintain this high level of pastoral sensitivity while at the same time maintaining academic rigor or if this is just a distinctive of Ross's unique gifts. The next volume slated to come out in the series is Robert Chisholm on Judges and Ruth.


Daniel S. Diffey

Daniel S. Diffey
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Louisville, Kentucky, USA

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