Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak for Us Today

by Bernhard W. Anderson, Roy Steven Bishop

In this revision of his classic text, Bernhard Anderson takes into account recent developments in psalm study as well as advances in scholarship. Still faithful to his earlier commitment to form-critical approach, Anderson revises every chapter and adds three new on the style and poetry of the psalms, on the penitential psalms, and on reading the book of psalms as a whole.

Genres: Old Testament, Biblical Studies, Religion, Spirituality, Christianity, Theology

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Peyton Gunter]

I skimmed this, so I can’t say much. However, if this were a bowl of lucky charms, there’d be a lot more oat things than marshmallows. There were some marshmallows though

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first learned about "Out of the Depths" while I was reading "How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth." Fee and Stuart often referenced Anderson's work, so I thought it would be a helpful reference guide as I studied the Psalms in more depth.

One of the book's greatest strengths (and perhaps it might be a weak assumption from the perspective of some scholars) is that it organizes all of its ideas according to the Psalms' various "types." Organizing and understanding the psalms was originally pioneered by Hermann Gunkel, a German scholar, but the specificity of his types and sub-types are too numerous to be helpful as a introduction to form-criticism for the general reader. Each chapter provides an overview of each type, some thoughts on their original function, a few examples to points out patterns, and reflections on their modern use for Christians. This focused, terse approach has been extremely helpful for me in my own studies and has laid a groundwork that has already been incredibly helpful for seeing the variety and artistry of the Psalms.

Also, one of the book's greatest resources (which hasn't yet been acknowledged by many reviewers here) is the "Index of Psalms according to Type" included in the appendix. I've used this almost daily to "double check" my understanding of the psalms I'm reading. This resource alone is worth the cost of the book!

[Bailey L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exquisite in achieving its goal: to explain what the psalms are meant for, dive deep into the types of psalms and the history of them, and explain the hard-to-understand ones. This book was a joy to open and read a bit from each day. I will be drawing from it from years to come. I will use it as a reference to help me continue to categorize what the types of psalms are and to see the NT connections littered throughout the book of Psalms.
This author explains some of the poetic beauty of the psalms in ways that any believer would benefit from. Highly recommend this book to anyone who is ready to take their reading of the psalms to a much deeper level.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main question to ask about any psalm is not about the situation in the life of David or in the life of some unknown individual that occasioned the composition. Nor is it necessary to discover the historical situation in the life of the people Israel in which the psalm was composed, for with the exception of Psalm 137, which clearly presupposes life in Babylonian-exile, there are very few historical hints for dating individual psalms. Nor is it essential to recover the original liturgical use of the psalms in the worship of the Jerusalem temple, perhaps in some great festival. These considerations are important and often illuminate our understanding of a psalm, but the most important question has to do with the psalms as literature, or better, as poetry. These poems "create a world," to use the language of contemporary interpreters of literature. As Walter Brueggemann observes, "They create, evoke, suggest, and propose a network of symbols, metaphors, images, memories and hopes." The poets of Israel invite us into a world, quite different from the world of ordinary daily life, in which God is taken seriously as sovereign, judge, and redeemer.
from Chapter 1: Songs of a Pilgrim People

In Out of the Depths, Bernhard Anderson and Steven Bishop explore the poetry of the psalms. Their study is enlightening and enthralling. While they often focus on the nuts-and-bolts of the poetic methodology or quibble over interpretation or translation issues, they never lose sight that, at the end of the working day, these psalms are not mere artifacts from the past but current, living, breathing scripture still capable of stirring our spirit today. I wish we had more Biblical scholarship written in this vein. An excellent resource to further one's understanding and deepen the depth of experiencing these ancient poems today.

These psalms show that the Israelite faith did not advocate "a sacrifice of the intellect" such as is made in some situations today when people "check" their minds, along with coats and hats, in the vestibule before entering the sanctuary! Rather, wisdom belongs in the context of worship...

from Chapter 9: Like a Tree Planted by Waters

[Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Equal parts introduction to the theology and the interpretation of the psalms. Plenty of helpful insights on form criticism and such, but the author's liberal commitments in several places either lead to butchering a theological point or justifying lazy exegesis. Somewhat worth reading -- I liked it better than Futato's Interpreting the Psalms, but there's got to be something better.

[Rick Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an overall good introduction to the Psalms with helpful discussion of their liturgical use. However, the book is ultimately marred by liberal bias against the plenary divine inspiration and authority of scripture, and the idea that the Israelites basically borrowed their art, poetry, and cosmology from the surrounding pagan cultures.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Excellent overview of the Psalms, including genre, structure etc.

[Kellaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been incredibly useful for preaching and teaching on the Psalms.

[Grant Carter]

Don't read this there are simply better books

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this as part of a class assignment and wish I could say that it was a good use of time. The author is steeped in liberal theology, and it colors the entire way that he approaches the Bible. Putting aside the theology, evangelicals with a strong interest in classifying each of the Psalms into form categories might find some value here. Others will want to put their time to better and more interesting use.

[Ron Oltmanns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anderson did a good job introducing the Psalms in a way we can understand and use them today. He takes a form-critical approach, which means classify each psalm by its type or genre (lament, thanksgiving, praise, etc.) and also by its setting in worship by the people of God, especially ancient Israel. There is more speculation and conjecture involved in putting each psalm into this kind of setting, but it can be suggestive. Anderson emphasizes the Psalms as "prayed poetry" and what that means. This book is helpful and has had a long life since 1974 when it came out as a study guide (I have the 1983 2nd edition).

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually have a copy of the 1970 edition The Psalms Speak To Us Today, aslightly different title, that was written just by Bernhard Anderson for the Women's Division (I presume a School of Mission Bible Study.) Nice find and a great reference as I read the Psalms for the Read the Bible in a year challenge.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource for getting a grasp of the beauty and form of the psalms. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to increase their understanding of this significant piece of the Old Testament.

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

While there a few points here and there that weren't entirely convincing, on the whole Anderson presents excellent insight on Psalms and I am grateful for how his book has shaped my understanding of this portion of scripture.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful beginners guide into exploring the depth of the Psalms.

[Adam Gossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I have ever read on the Psalms. It came quite highly recommended and I had not read it until now for various reasons, but I am so very glad I did. Very sweet book.

[Jerome · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a good foundation for Psalm studies. Anderson was able to draw practical lessons which is typically hard for scholars in psalm studies.

[Nicholas Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely useful.