Singing the Psalms

by Cynthia Bourgeault

Fifteen hundred years ago, St. Benedict established a system of ora et labora prayer and work that monastics still follow today. Central to this prayerful integration of body and spirit is psalmody, or chanting the psalms. On Singing the Psalms, Episcopal priest Cynthia Bourgeault shows how the psalms can awaken rich spiritual and psychological insights accessible to you today, whatever your level of vocal skill or theological understanding. Includes a mini-psalter (psalm book) with instructions, musical notations, rhythmic and melodic suggestions, and more.

Genres: Religion, Faith

Audio CD

First published April 1, 1998

About the author

Modern day mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader, Cynthia Bourgeault divides her time between solitude at her seaside hermitage in Maine, and a demanding schedule traveling globally to teach and spread the recovery of the Christian contemplative and Wisdom path.

She has been a long-time advocate of the meditative practice of Centering Prayer and has worked closely with fellow teachers and colleagues including Thomas Keating, Bruno Barnhart, and Richard Rohr. Cynthia has actively participated in numerous inter-spiritual dialogues and events with luminaries and leaders such as A.H. Almaas, Kabir Helminski, Swami Atmarupananda, and Rami Shapiro.

Cynthia is a member of the GPIW (Global Peace Initiative for Women) Contemplative Council and recipient of the 2014 Contemplative Voices award from Shalem Institute. She is a founding Director of both The Contemplative Society and the Aspen Wisdom School. She continues to contribute to The Contemplative Society in her role as Principal Teacher and advisor.

Cynthia is the author of eight books: The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three, The Meaning of Mary Magdalene, The Wisdom Jesus, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, Mystical Hope, The Wisdom Way of Knowing, Chanting the Psalms, and Love is Stronger than Death. She has also authored or contributed to numerous articles on the Christian Wisdom path in publications such as Parabola Magazine, Gnosis Magazine, and Sewanee Theological Review.

Cynthia Bourgeault is currently one of the core faculty members at The Living School for Action and Contemplation.

from http://www.contemplative.org/cynthia-...

Reviews

[Artemisia Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve joined a church choir for the first time in my life so I was drawn to this selection in audio form from Hoopla. The author discusses the study of the psalms and gives instruction and tips on singing them in this beautiful, musical demonstration.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every moment of 'Singing the Psalms'. I had never heard Cynthia Bourgeault speak before, but she has a beautiful voice and an engaging style of presenting her work. If nothing else, I find that I would go a long way to experience her saying the word 'water'! That aside, she presents the history and traditions of both singing the Psalms and praying the Hours beautifully. There is so much information and practical advice here but it never becomes boring or overwhelming, and her simple way of describing how anyone can incorporate singing the Psalms into their spiritual life is deeply encouraging. The examples given are beautiful, the tiny liturgies at the end of the book were unexpected and delightful, and the accompanying PDF is helpful, I will definitely be listening more than once!

[Deryk Rumbold · Rating 5 out of 5]

To hide the word in my heart is often a glossed over aspect of scripture which is why I really appreciate Bourgeault insight and practical approach to saturate daily life with the Psalms. She taps into a deep shared history of Christian contemplation all joined to the very Psalms that Jesus recited. One aspect I found to be the most thought provoking is the idea of the imagery of "enemies" found often in the Psalms sometimes can be applied on the personal level as the line of righteousness often cuts through our own hearts with a selfish desires neglecting the goodness of God.

[Jeanette Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book which made the book interesting as the chants were on the tape. I'm not sure this book even comes in a hard copy. Some parts a bit repetitive, but that was ok. I enjoyed the chants.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook is interesting, and it gives the novice permission to chant the psalms. The singing will be irksome for trained singers, but it underscores the author's intent to reach the untrained layperson. This is not a book that could translate easily into a written text, as part of it is the auditory demonstration of the principles behind chant, and another piece is to draw the listener into the world of chant through experiencing a few. I find it very helpful to be simultaneously trying to chant from St. Dunstan's Plainsong Psalter, as this audiobook helped me understand the psalter a bit better. I am a musician and sing Anglican chant with a choir, but the approach in this audiobook is more in line with the plainsong psalter, or even working directly from The Book of Common Prayer.

[Nancy Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't imagine it any other way than Audible. Intriguing.