Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Meditations on Psalms

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Book Overview

"The only way to understand the Psalms is on your knees, the whole congregation praying the words of the Psalms with all its strength." --Dietrich Bonhoeffer At the time of his execution by the Nazis... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 031026703X
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.3" x 0.4" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

Praying (reading) the Psalms with a modern martyr, pastor, theologian, and Christian thinker

Please do not vote, yet! I will finish the review shortly. Thank you! INTRODUCTION: I have to admit to you, the Psalms never excited me. Besides the handful key verses from Psalms (e.g. 119:11), the rest of the Psalters were too melo-dramatic for my taste (too much talk about enemies, sorrow, despair). Reading Bonhoeffer's thoughts on the glory and splendor of God, of our Savior and Messiah has been a very humbling and teaching experience. Previously (2002) published as "My Soul Finds Rest" (identical content). AUTHOR: CONTENT: CONCLUSION: For me, the Psalms came alive, with spiritual father Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer memorized, meditated, and drew a deep spiritual manna from the Psalms. Now I have a better appreciating for why the Orthodox liturgy (based on St. John Chrysostom - the gold mouth, and St. Basil) is infused with Psalm verses (Psalmody) and whole passages, and why the Psalms have been known across the centuries in the West as "the he treasury of the Church's finest prayers" (Psalters). Now when I read, pray, and sing, the Psalms I make sure to use a Bible that has titles and notes (explanatory and devotional) for each Psalm.