Hebrew Bible/OT Commentaries: Psalms

[Dahood] offers a unique, lively translation of the most beloved collection of poetry in Judeo-Christian sacred Scriptures. Based on his linguistic analysis of both biblical and extrabiblical texts, Mitchell Dahood, S.J., interprets this Hebrew poetry in light of rich linguistic and cultural evidence. Dahood’s translation captures the beauty and full texture of Hebrew poetry. It offers an accurate English rendering, framed within the dynamic poetic forms of the Hebrew text. Through the use of Ugaritic and cognate literature, Dahood corrects mistranslations and illuminates previously obscure phrases. The fruit of a masterful analysis of the original texts, this fresh translation, the comprehensive notes, and the groundbreaking commentary establish Dahood’s Psalms I (1–50) as the premier commentary on the Psalms." - Yale University Press

"The bulk of Israel's religious poetry is preserved in the biblical book of Psalms. In this volume, the second of three on the Psalms, Mitchell Dahood, S.J., interprets this Hebrew poerty in light of a rich ancient collection of Ugaritic texts. Dahood's translation captures the beauty and rich texture of Hebrew poetry. It offers an accurate English rendering,framed within the dynamic poetic forms of the Hebrew text. Through the use of Ugaritic and cognate literature, Dahood corrects mistranslations and illuminates previously obscure phrases. The fruit of a masterful analysis of the original texts, this fresh translation, with its comprehensive notes and groundbreaking commentary, establishes Dahood's Psalms II (51-100) as the premier commentary on the Psalms." - Yale University Press

Having closely examined the original text, Father Dahood has attempted a unique translation which relies heavily on contemporary linguistic evidence. His work stresses the relation of the Psalms to the Ugaritic texts found at Ras-Shamra, and to other epigraphic discoveries along the Phoenician littoral. This translation tries to capture as much as possible within the limits of language and the scope of present scholarship the poetic qualities of the original Hebrew. It attempts to render accurately not only the meaning of the Psalms but their poetic forms and rhythms as well. It is particularly responsive to the terse, three-beat metrical line predominant in Hebrew poetry, and it reproduces the parallelism so characteristic of biblical verse. In this process of probing the original, Father Dahood unearths some striking examples of passages previously mistranslated, and arrives at many provocative readings. In addition to an introduction, text, and notes, this volume contains a comprehensive Grammar of the Psalter which makes use of much of Father Dahood's recent work with Ugaritic." - Yale University Press

"For over one hundred years, the International Critical Commentary series has held a special place among works on the Bible. It has sought to bring together all the relevant aids to exegesis—linguistic and textual no less than archaeological, historical, literary and theological—with a level of comprehension and quality of scholarship unmatched by any other series." - T & T Clark

"For thousands of years, the Book of Psalms has been one of God's people's richest resources for expression of worship and development of the spiritual life. At the same time it is one of the more complex and challenging sections of the Bible for expositors. Pastors, teachers, and all serious students of the Bible will find this commentary invaluable for developing their understanding of the Psalms and for improving their ability to expound it with precision and depth.

For each psalm, Dr. Allen Ross guides the reader through a detailed exegetical outline, proposes a homiletical outline, and offers a summary expository idea of the message of the whole psalm." - Kregel Academic

"Peter C. Craigie demonstrates in this commentary that the biblical psalms express “the most profound of human feelings and insights—prayer, praise, liturgy, wisdom and lament.” Through careful analysis of language and form, he communicates both the emotional and theological impact of the psalms as originally experienced by the people of Israel at public worship and in private devotions. Professor Craigie’s translations and interpretations of each of the first fifty psalms apply insights into the Hebrew language and Israel’s literature drawn from Ugaritic texts. He provides a careful and critical analysis of various controversial proposals based on these sources for understanding the early substance and later form of the Psalter." - Logos

"Marvin Tate’s distinctive commentary traces all the biographical, historical, literary, and practical concepts of these middle psalms and demonstrates how the purpose of each one unfolds. The middle section of the Hebrew Psalter has long been regarded as an inspiring anthology of ancient religious poetry. Within this part of the Sepher Tehillim or Book of Praises, are 11 of the 12 psalms of Asaph (73–83), one of Solomon's two (72), the sole offerings of Ethan (89) and Moses (90), and four of the songs ascribed to the sons of Korah—not to mention the many attributed to David. Organized for easy reference, Word Biblical commentaries make an ideal Bible study companion whether you are studying a single passage or a complete biblical book." - Logos

"In this volume, Dr. Allen offers a survey of current research into text, grammar, syntax, lexicography, genre, structure and exegesis. A specialized bibliography accompanies the treatment of each Psalm. His translation is accompanied by notes on word studies as well as explanations of his divergences from commonly accepted translations. He brings the overall structure and divisions of each Psalm as to their literary form and their setting in the historical experience of Israel. Allen also attempts to trace the impact of various Psalms upon Christian thought and devotions and focuses on the NT uses of the Psalter." - Accordance