Book Review: Psalms Volume 2

A COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS Volume 2

Allen P. Ross [Kregel, Grand Rapid MI, 2013]

I must admit that I wondered why another commentary on Psalms was needed. What could this say that has not already been said on these Psalms? I changed my mind when I started reading it. It is written in the practical style that Ross has exhibited in his earlier works. While the book is scholarly, it is also strongly pastoral in its approach. One could classify it as scholarly-homiletical in approach. His approach is unique, not like any other commentary on my shelf (I have over a dozen on the Psalms). It is his approach and style that makes this commentary worth space on the shelf.

His scholarship is impressive, but not overbearing. In evaluating the work, I looked at number of Psalms. I found the work solid and informative. One that I looked at was Psalm 67. All the Psalms are arranged with the same structure. He opens each Psalm with the Text and Textual Variants, but the technical notes are concise, direct, and understandable. All the technical information is in footnotes, so as to not interfere with the reading of the text itself. He gives his own translation of the text and is qualified to do so since he taught Hebrew.

He moves then to the composition and context of the Psalm. In this Psalm, he points out that the event behind it is the harvest. He, however, sees it as a prayer, not a thanksgiving (as is common). It is a harvest prayer, but is broader than just a present harvest, having in view a future blessing of all people. Its theme is both eschatological and missionary in vision.

He then moves to an exegetical analysis of the passage. He does so in two ways: A summary sentence. For example of Psalm 67 he says: “Praying for God’s mercy and blessing so that his ways may be known among the nations, the palmist calls all people to praise God for his equitable providence and material blessings” (page 444). It is succinct, catching the essence of the Psalm. Second, he gives an exegetical outline of the passage. I found these very helpful and insightful, in that they give us the structure of the passage, and a foundation for his commentary.

He follows the exegetical outline in the commentary in expository form. His expository to Psalm 67 has four points:

·         The faithful pray for divine favor so that the world will know the saving way of the Lord (67:1-2).

·         All people on earth should praise God for his equitable providence (67:3-4).

·         All people on earth should praise god because of his bounty in the harvest (67:5-6a).

·         The faithful pray for divine favor so that the world will fear the Lord (67:6b-7).

I give this so one can get a feel for his expository method. It is simple, but not simplistic. It displays a solid understanding of the text in concise, understandable points.

He ends each Psalm with its message and application. In the case of Psalm 67 his application deals both with having a missionary vision and an eschatological application.

This work shows that Ross is not only a very good scholar but a good communicator. His method is direct, concise, thoughtful, and practical. His style is reader friendly, enjoyable to read, understandable, and accessible to those without formal theological training. It is uplifting as well as educational. He gives the essence of the passage, avoiding getting bogged down in theological controversy and ideas that bore many readers. Yet, you know where he stands on the issues.

The only drawback that I see is no introductory material whatsoever is included. If one does not have the first volume to draw from, there could be some questions about the Psalms left unanswered. I feel some introductory comments are needed and would have been helpful. Not every one buys books in series order. It leaves a void in those who gets the second volume before they do the first. Thus I give it 4 stars for that reason.

Every preacher and Bible teacher will appreciate and use this work numerous times over the years. It will be a helpful addition for your library.

[Thanks to Kregel Publications for providing a free copy of this book for my honest review.]