The Inclusive Psalms

Book Overview

The poetry of the Psalms echoes through the ages. The translators of The Inclusive Psalms had to reckon not only with the original Hebrew text of the Psalms, but the wide-ranging translations of these songs that have become so familiar. As with The Inclusive New Testament, their work allows the power of the ancient writings to be present to all contemporary readers. The Inclusive Psalms a wholly included in The Inclusive Hebrew Scriptures: Volume III: The Writings. They are also available together with The Inclusive New Testament.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0964427923
• ISBN13: 9780964427921
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Altamira Press
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 1.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.6" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Better than the Inclusive N.T. by same editors/translators

I feel more comfortable with "The Inclusive Psalms" than I did with "The Inclusive New Testament". The latter masked the prejudices and neutralized the actual expressions and sentiments of the time and culture of the New Testament writers by changing pronouns, forms of address, and dialog into rather more "feel good" language. I did not have the same feeling with "The Inclusive Psalms". This version, while making similar kinds of changes, does not, for example, conceal the sometimes shocking and/or cruel prayers of violence and vengeance against enemies or replace the image of the distant imperial warrior-God that reflects the historical and cultural paradigm of the psalmists, in their times and culture. If the translators were working from an agenda of neutralizing everything that was "politically incorrect" or "un-Christian", these would be the most obvious changes. This translation and interpretation of the Psalms obviously will work for some people and not for others. Someone who wants the King's English, for example, (i.e. the King James Bible of 1541 A.D. or the exact Hebrew words that the King James scholars translated and interpreted for their 16th century time and culture) is probably not going to like this version. There are a lot of translations in existence--KJV, NKJV, NIV, ABS, RSV, NRSV, "The Way", Jerusalem, Vulgate, New English.... and MANY others. Personally, I would only trust the original manuscript(s) to have the EXACT words of the writer(s). But if you're like me, you don't have 3,000 or 2,000 year old Hebrew or Aramaic or Greek scrollS on your bookshelf and have trusted translators throughout the ages to use the best and earliest manuscripts in existence to come up with a readable translation, just as King James did 450+ years ago for his English subjects. While not a scholar's "study" Bible, "The Inclusive Psalms" is a worthwhile version for personal guidance, devotions, congregational readings, or application to present day situations and circumstances. Utilizing language that invites the reader/listener into the prayer, hymn, lament, celebration,or conversation between the psalmist (or the people) and God, "The Inclusive Psalms" is a good attempt to provide an accessible and current translation of the ancient scriptures. It's as close to my personal language preferences as I've found to date, and a pencil changes the rest.

Excellent

I am thankful that I live in a time where I can read and pray the psalms without constanting tripping over the "hims, brothers, sons, fathers, and men."

The Psalms come alive for ALL God's people!

This translation of the Psalms is a breath of fresh air! I have always loved reading the Psalms, not only for their content but also for their poetic qualities. The inclusive language is another positive element, preserving the rhythm and language of the text without being awkward or cumbersome. This translation is not at all "obvious"; i.e. it doesn't come across as a stilted attempt to merely substitute offensive language with something different. The introduction to this volume explains the motivation behind the inclusive language translations. The mission was accomplished; the richness and beauty of the Psalms shines through in a way that includes all people.