Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness

by Nan C. Merrill

Every commentary on the Book of Psalms has had to face the issue that many of these prayers commemorate and celebrate wrath and vengeance. What is needed is not ingenious exegetical rationalization of ancient texts, but the kind of transformation into a work of piety and art that is provided here.Addressed are the needs of a world seeking to counter individual and societal injustices by a global peace born of personal peace through prayer and practice. In short, here is the Book of Psalms recast in the light of the continuing revelation and evolution of the authentic religious spirit of the scriptures.

Genres: Spirituality, Prayer, Religion, Poetry, Christianity, Reference, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 1997

Reviews

[Richard Zelley]

This profoundly beautiful reworking of the Book of Psalms has become my most precious resource for spiritual nourishment. Nan Merrill's inspired rendition of the Psalms transforms the fearsome thunderings of Yahweh into the gentle blessings of the Beloved. If you lean towards being at all contemplative, you'll be forever grateful that you have this gem bedude you.

[William Rabjohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I marked "read", this is a book that is not meant for us to conclude reading it. The author does a magnificent job editing the Psalms that were written with ancient pre-Gospel worldviews that portray God has harsh, warlike, and punitive and rephrase them in such a way that makes the God who is Love (1st John) accessible to the person praying them. As a permanent deacon in the Catholic church, I'm required to pray the Psalms daily. Often, I find the various translations of the Psalms (NAB, NIV) cause them to be inaccessible: What is the Psalmist saying? That was Old Testiment view of God. How does one interpret that Psalm from a Gospel perspective? The author did a fantastic job and I find the Psalms inviting, meaningful, and deeply prayerful now.

[Susie Webster-toleno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this 5 stars in appreciation for this book as a devotional aid as well as for shifting the ways in which I hear familiar psalms. It’s not a scholarly approach ~ if it were TRYING to be, I would have rated it much lower, I suppose.

In my life, this doesn’t take the place of actual translations of psalms, but it does allow me to hear things in new ways; also, I am forever grateful for her insistence on using language of Love / Beloved for God.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The psalms of David transmuted into psalms of love. Something is lost, something gained. There is less thematic variation psalm to psalm here, each is less distinct. If I had to be on a desert island with one or the other version, however, I'd pick this one.

[Joan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although the poetry was beautiful, I did not like the author's interpretations. I found each each psalm to be too similar to one another, and barely distinguishable from each other. The psalms all seemed to be diluted, oversimplified and reduced to a single theme 'our Beloved'. This rendition also eliminated any connection to their roots in Old Testament, and therefore much of the meanings were lost.

[Lisa Degrenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savor Nan C. Merrill's spectacular translation of the Psalms. Through her welcoming, beautiful, and inclusive word choices, I find myself breathing Amen again and again. There are very few books I read multiple times, but this is one of them.⁠

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merrill writes the Psalms in contemporary language, converting messages to a very personalized address to the individual. Beautiful language, soft, loving, instructional, forgiving. Highly recommend.

[Keith Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only devotional book I ever read and I'm not exaggerating. Keeps delivering and I never tire of it.

[Rosie Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will continue to reading or refer back to this book as a source of inspiration and motivation.

[Sylvie M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. The words of David in a contemporary way of adoring the Creator. I borrowed this copy from the public library, however, I must have a copy in my personal library.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very 'loose' translation of the Psalms - turned into prayers..
I read/pray one every day.........

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much. This is my second read-through. It's a contemplative paraphrase of the Psalms and oh-so-beautiful. I will no doubt be starting through it again soon.

[Maureen E]

I read this book daily as a meditation. Her images are relatable and current. I have not been a big fan of the psalms, probably because of the KJV. This book is a modern invitation to meditate on ancient wisdom in inviting, pleasant, welcoming vision.

[Ida · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy and thought provoking way to read the psalms.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this interpretation of the Psalms so much! So beautiful!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

psalms for some situations

Nan C Merrill has provided a lovely version of the psalter for occasional, or possibly daily, devotional use. Psalms for Praying is very much a version rather than a translation, yet it's a faithful and faith-filled version of the prayerbook of the synagogue and the church. Some of it is removed from historical context, but every one of us uses prayer models from scripture and from other writers as inspiration for shaping our own private - and sometimes public - prayers. What is prayer and preaching worth if it's not contextualized into this here and now? At times in my life I've used Psalms for Praying as a daily resource, at other times another version of the psalms or a different devotional or prayer book has suited my situation better, yet this has remained a treasure I frequently recommend and definitely would give as a gift. Merrill's language is the beautiful and elegant speech of poets, though she downplays desolation and despondence in favor of encouragement and optimism. Sometimes you gotta get help to get outta your funk! I strongly recommend this book with the caution not to expect it to become your only psalm book or your sole prayer book.

[Harry Allagree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 10th Anniversary Edition of Psalms for Praying, with a copyright of 2007, & this paperback was reprinted in 2013. One appreciates how timely her interpretation of the 150 ancient Hebrew Psalms is from reading what Merrill writes in her preface: "Out of the silence, as I continue to meditate and dialogue with the Psalms, they become living prayers that evoke, albeit subtly, new insights, new emphases, new words and phrases, and in some instances, new verses...The plight of our world cries out for active, focused prayer...we are all faced with new challenges; in response, prayers of millions of individuals are rising up to bear witness to Love in these unsettling times...

To pray is to be transformed. We become One in the Silence with pray-ers from every country who are scattering seeds of love and light into the chaos; thus, we blanket the world with a web of peace..."

This version of the Psalms is pleasantly repetitive in the use of key words: "Beloved", "Heart of hearts", "Counselor", "fears and illusions", "injustice and oppression", "mercy", "truth", "the cosmos", etc. Merrill's poetic style lends itself easily to prayerfulness & contemplation. It's a good example of a balanced & authentic contemporary paraphrase of ancient texts.

[Amos Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Psalter or Book of Psalms is the most ancient prayer book there is. Nan Merill draws out the prayerful nature of the Psalms and gives them a fresh spin. I was first introduced to "Psalms for Praying" when I did a 10 day Centering Prayer Retreat at Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado. Before each session of Centering Prayer someone read from this translation of the Psalms. This translation drew me in then and continues to draw me in now. Merill has a holistic and prayerful sensibility that echoes throughout her translations of the Psalms.

The Psalms put off a lot of people. The violent tribal times in which they were written is daunting. For those who find the Psalms challenging, I highly recommend Psalms for Praying by Nan Merill. Merill’s fresh translation draws out the Psalms deeply prayerful essence.

-Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity’s Mystic Roots)

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

When in college, I much enjoyed the study of the Psalms. In seminary, this study continued with translating from the Psalms in the Hebrew Bible (TaNaK) into English. Much later, I discontinued reading it due to the images of violence, common in a tribal consciousness culture. Having the violence expunged, including the image of the warrior god, is welcome.

After reading Psalms for Praying shortly after its publication, I recently repurchased it to read again. Yet, it is more accurate to say "pray" than "read." The Psalms are a prayer book, a hymnal, of poems in song.

I recommend this paraphrase - it is not a translation - be prayed mindfully, one or a few of the songs at a time. Persons of any religion can find here an inspiring array of prayers for devotional chanting, lectio divina, scripture meditation, private prayer, or public recitation.

[Ginny Messina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nan Merrill attempts to capture the essence of the psalms and reinterprets them as gentle prayerful poems. She is careful to note that her versions are not meant to replace the originals. In fact, in some instances, I have a little trouble seeing how they even relate to the originals. But that's okay—they are lovely and often inspiring pieces. Her Psalm 114 is one of my favorites as a prelude to contemplative prayer or meditation.

[elbren · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Psalms capture every emotion humans ever have toward God: fear, love, anger, gratitude, the whole gamut. Many of these emotions are unpleasant. In an effort to avoid being discomfited, Merrill reduces this whole span to mere shades of affection. It ends up sounding an awful lot like the Song of Songs, making me wonder if that book is itself the result of a similar process, through some more ancient voice.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I wasn't thrilled with this book. I found some of the interpretations of the Psalms to be stale and not nearly approaching the inspired poetry of the originals. In addition, I felt like the author was "dropping" certain terms that are popular in certain groups like "co-creating" and others. On the plus side, I liked the premise -- an updated version of the psalms. I just felt that it was not everything it could have been.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've used this version of the Psalms as my primary meditative reading ever since I discovered it several years ago. I especially like her rendering of the "Bash my Heathen Enemies to Death" Psalms to a "Help me deal with my Spiritual and Mental Torments" type." That is, making them more inner than outer directed. These may not have the poetry of some other versions (like the King James), but I find them more relevant to my life.

[Aggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most important books and one I turn to daily. It is a rendition of the psalms that tranmutes the hurtful, vengeful language into words that comfort, inspire and reflect our lives at the same time. It is an inspired work and one that is accessible to anyone...not just "religious" or "spiritual" people.

[Connie Backus-yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could rate this with more stars I would. Many times reading passages brought me to deep tears because of her gentle way of reaching into the walls of my heart to uncover what my true desires are. I have read, but am still currently reading over and over.

[Jobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great interpretation of all the Psalms into prayers. I would not call this a "translation" - it's not. It's more a personal reworking of the psalms into personal prayers.

It's great for inspiration, for a fresh look but not for a serious devotion.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I made my goal to read the Psalms through every month this year. Even though I didn't start until like the 13th, I still finished :) For February, I think I'll read this version through again at a more leisurely pace, "only" 5 or 6 per day.

[Kathleen Coveny]

Truly a blessing - one I pick up often.

[Barbara Bir · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new version of the psalms in modern language. Insightful and prayerful.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for prayer. Not a translation of the psalm but a revisioning in light of Jesus. Modern in it language and themes. I love it.