My Soul Finds Rest

by Edwin Robertson (Editor), Edwin H. Robertson

'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 BonhoefferAt the time of his execution by the Nazis in 1945, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was not quite forty years old. Yet already, his influence as a theologian was felt not only in Germany but throughout the world. His interactions with the Psalms reveal a passionate heart and a brilliant mind grappling with the Bible’s eternal truths and their application to human nature and temporal realities. My Soul Finds Rest is vintage eloquent, incisive, encouraging, challenging, inviting us to find in the Psalms both a path toward repose in God and a call to Christlike living and practical action as followers of the Lord Jesus.

157 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Diana Willemsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Door goede machten trouw en stil omgeven,
behoed, getroost, zo wonderlijk en klaar,
zo wil ik graag met u, mijn liefsten, leven,
en met u ingaan in het nieuwe jaar.”

[Mirjam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister put on "Von Guten Mächten Wunderbar Geborgen" a few times during the holidays and this made me want to read up on Bonhoeffer and his religious/political views a bit more. I appreciated the introduction and context at the beginning of each chapter. Bonhoeffer's early views on sacrifice and martyrdom are particularly bittersweet, in hindsight...

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read this book over and over. The ideas expressed in this book are so challenging and enlivening. It makes me want to be more courageous and thoughtful and faithful. And it comes to life in a different way when you read up on the author's life and his role in the anti-Nazi movement in Germany. Since it's a collection of speeches and sermons, it's really easy to read little by little so you can really think about and soak up what's being said.

[Ryan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Soul Finds Rest

13/2025.

When my grandma passed away last March, I kept two pieces from her broad library of theological works (most of the went to other pastors she worked with or mentored). This slight and unassuming book is one of them, and her highlights through the text are a guide - perhaps one last way for her to share her thoughts with me. I’ve added my own markup to hers now, a response both to her and to myself.

While I’m of course familiar with Bonhoeffer’s life and legacy, I haven’t spent much time with his writing, directly. But I figure now’s a good time to read the words of a man who saw the veil of fascism fall on his country, and stood in opposition to it, even at the cost of his life. His willingness to stand apart from the Protestant church of his day, resist an oath of loyalty to Hitler, and to die for these convictions, is something people of faith should study and ponder whether we are capable of the same.

The book provides helpful contextualization to how these writings fit in to the timeline of Bonhoeffer’s life and the political consciousness he formed in the face of Nazism. Perhaps the most powerful section for me was his letter on Psalm 100, where he asserts that joy in the face of sorrow, affliction, and persecution is a requirement, and a Grace. By using the Psalms as a guide to his final years, the book creates a beautiful memorial to the martyr, the pastor, and the scholar that Bonhoeffer was.

[Matt Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bonhoeffer is one of those interesting thinkers and heroes from history, whose life could be seen as cut short. I'm thankful for such people in history to have as examples, that encourage us. Many applaud Bonhoeffer for his stance against the evils of the Holocaust and Nazism and how they contradicted the teachings of Christ, in this case as displayed in every Psalm. Some may criticize him, perhaps, for not having done more sooner, but that is true for everyone, including myself. I know if he could've done it over, he would've done more sooner as well, but we always see history with 20/20. We must apply the perspectives and lessons that we learn from history to the present as they rapidly, and sometimes randomly, manifest in our lives and communities.

I highly recommend this to anyone that likes the Psalms, particularly if you want to see how it was applied in this historical situation, how it formed his thinking and action, how it gave comfort and hope.

[Anne Treur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very impressive and valuable publication with sermons, letters and poems by Bonhoeffer. Each chapter is introduced with an explanation of Bonhoeffer's circumstances, which is a good addition to the text. Definitely a must to read. Sermons are easy to read and very beautiful, recommended for those who, like me, have been touched by Bonhoeffers history and faith.