Voicing God's Psalms (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Liturgical Studies Series) - Softcover

Word Guild, Special Book, Award of Merit (2006)Doxology -The great treasure I discovered is Seerveld's survey of the development of psalms for worship by the various denominations, which is followed by a perceptive and thorough summary of the way in which psalms have been used in worship from David to the American frontier. . . I know of nothing better.-Eugene H. Peterson -A simply remarkable recovery, vigorous and engaging, of the original tone and range of the biblical prayers that give us the voice of 'God talking live.-Jeremy Begbie -For many years Calvin Seerveld has brought freshness, vitality, and rigor to the interplay between Christian faith and the arts. These very qualities mark his compelling psalm translations. I commend them warmly.-

On the pages of this poignant volume are fresh verse translations of the biblical psalms by master wordsmith Calvin Seerveld. Voicing God's Psalms contains thirty-seven psalms from the canonical book of Psalms and several psalmic passages from elsewhere in Holy Scripture (both Testaments) -- all strikingly translated by Seerveld from the original Hebrew and Greek languages into idiomatic American English. Seerveld has arranged his carefully crafted psalm translations into thematic clusters under nine progressive headings. He follows half of his translations with singable psalm versifications fashioned to various melodies. In an introduction and an afterword Seerveld sets the biblical psalms in historical context, highlights the rough and tender tenor of God's psalms, and offers concrete suggestions for helping these psalms come alive in our private and public worship today. The accompanying audio CD features oral readings by Seerveld himself of many of the printed psalm translations, interspersed with select versification melodies skillfully played by solo recorder or saxophone. An extraordinary book-and-CD combination, Voicing God's Psalms will help many worship leaders and music directors in preparing liturgies and will inspire many believers in their personal devotions.