Pleading, Cursing, Praising: Conversing with God through the Psalms

by Irene Nowell

Irene Nowell's work would be both impressive and important if she were only" a masterful Scripture scholar or a gifted spiritual guide or a compelling teacher. The fact that she is all three makes her an extraordinary resource for Christians today. In Pleading, Cursing, Praising , Nowell puts all of these gifts to use to offer a guide to praying with the psalms. Nowell maintains that the psalms teach us to tell our story, to cry out our pain, and to give praise to God. They also teach us to listen - to the voice of God, the voice of Christ, the voices of the people around us, and the voice of all creation. This book includes questions and exercises for personal reflection, brief prayers for praying along the way, and suggestions for composing one's own psalm-prayers. It promises to enrich the spiritual life of everyone who reads it.

104 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

Irene Nowell, OSB, of the Benedictine community of Mount Saint Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, is a member of the translation team of the revised Old Testament of the New American Bible. She teaches Scripture courses at Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary, Collegeville, Minnesota. Nowell is a member of the Committee on Illuminations and Texts for The Saint John’s Bible and a past president of the Catholic Biblical Association. She is author of Jonah, Tobit, Judith in the Collegeville Bible Commentary; Sing a New Song: The Psalms in the Sunday Lectionary; and Women in the Old Testament, all published by Liturgical Press.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a number of books on the Psalms, many of which were rather academic. When I began this book I was at first disappointed because it wasn't as scholarly as some of the others. But then I realized that was not the intention. Rather this is a reflection or meditation mostly on the Psalms and I really grew to like it. Loved the comparisons analogies and current references to make the Psalms a living reality today. I highly recommend this book for a reflection on the Psalms.

[Nick Ertz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful introduction to the Psalms. Each major group of Psalms is discussed and explained. Sr. Nowell relates each to our modern world by explaining the world that generated the Psalms. The explanations are insightful and add to the work of prayer. I'm am now more interested in daily Psalm prayer.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book for people who want to dig deeper into the Psalms (but not too heavy). This book would make great retreat material ( individual or group). The reflections at the end of each chapter are thought provoking.

[Damien Rappuhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, short book that will help anyone at any academic level to pray with and meditate on the psalms. Highly recommended.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for Bible study. It has made me look at the Psalms in a whole new light.

[Irene Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book on the study and meaning of the Book of Psalms from the Bible

[Keith L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty solid overview of the types of psalms and how we can engage them! Also very short. Had to/got to read this for the course I took this week.