Psalms Now

by Leslie F. Brandt

Making the cries and jubilation of the Psalms meaningful for today's world, this book is perfect for Christian reading and gift giving.

Genres: Christian, Poetry, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Devotional

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1973

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift many years ago, found it on the shelves recently, and began to slowly walk through the meditations one or two at a time. I thought this was a paraphrase of the Psalms. Not so. Rather, it is a book of meditations each loosely built on the heart-teaching of one or more of the psalms. I found these often resonating with the cries of my heart: hope for God, acknowledgement of failure, longing for connection. This is not a book you read; it is one you savor.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I expected. I thought it would be a new paraphrase of the Psalms, but alas it was a rewriting of approximately 150 modern day psalm-like poems from this pastor. I say approximately 150 because they are each titled by the Psalm (same as the biblical book of Psalm) but some of them are titled multiple psalms which confused me. Why not just write 150 or just number them by how many you actually wrote. I don’t know. Some of the “psalms” were really poignant and some weren’t. In fact, some were quite reflective of this man’s world view which clearly differs from mine. So it was just so-so. Not what I was hoping it would be.

[Richard Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of prayers and meditations based on each Psalm. They are not paraphrases and at times the Psalm is only barely recognizable. The poetic aspect of the original Psalms does not carry over well into this collection. However, many of the prayers are incredibly moving. I used one a day for a long time. I used these like the book uses the Psalms, as a springboard to my own prayers which many days resembled this collection in mood only. The words were entirely mine with little or no resemblance to the words in this collection or in the original Psalms. This is a resource well worth having around.

[David Mccowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

TL;DR Read if you want to read a series of poems inspired by the Psalms.

Do not read expecting a paraphrase, thought for thought, or modern rendition of the Psalms. This is how this book is marketed, but on that criteria, it falls short.

Brand is honest in the preface as to what these are, so I do not fault the author for how this book has been marketed.

I will read it again, just not soon or often.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a modern-day translation of the Psalms that speaks to everyday current life.

[Brooke Fradd · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Bible study was hard, I appreciated this author’s modern take on the Psalms to keep me reading.

[Soraya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found that I just missed the familiar phrases of the well known translations too much to enjoy this modern take on the psalms.

[Lynda Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great paraphrase of Psalms been reading or listening to it being read since 1974

[RoseMary author · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good way to introduce yourself to reading Psalms. Published in the 1970s, this book is written in modern language with modern society in mind. When one really struck me (often), I would open my Bible and read the original version there. Great way to learn!

[Shelley Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psalms Now is a loosely paraphrased rendition of the Psalms. The purpose is to provide a different, more modern, relatable, even personal perspective on these ancient songs and prayers. It’s definitely not intended to be read in place of Scripture, but as a fan of rewriting Psalms in my own words, or even creating my own, this offered a fresh new way of looking at these poetic and emotional pieces of Scripture.

[Joe]

This is a book you KEEP reading. I read it so many times now I can't really tell you how many. What I do is read the Psalm for the day of the month, add 30, then 30 more, etc., until eventually in a month's time I've read the entire Book of Psalms which is by far the most poetic and musical book of the Bible. The author has re-written them in modern day language such that they seem to apply to what's going on in your life for each day of the month. I highly recommend this to anyone. The date I set for when I FINISHED this book was the most recent date I finished it so I started over again on Jan. 1st 2010

[David Campton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Radically overshadowed by Eugene Peterson's "The Message" contemporary renderings of the Psalms, and this is radically freer in it's approach. However it is particularly helpful for both the overly familiar Psalms and those that are more problematic eg those with a more vengeful tone. It might be accused of smoothing off some of the rough edges of the latter Psalms, and the author does run some Psalms together (avoiding full renderings of some of the more vexing Psalms) but he is not doing a direct translation or paraphrase, but rather exploring the broad themes of each Psalm in a refreshing fashion.

[Pam Fullem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Psalms is really a book of prayer, for all situations, and the author has wonderfully articulated their meaning in a relevant way. This is the kind of book, like the actual Bible, that you read and reread. I have found Psalms that have really expressed my different spiritual situations, and they are beautifully written. Like the original book of Psalms these really can be prayed. The language is current and wonderfully expressed. I strongly recommend this book.

[Stephen Close · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I agree with other reviewers about how this brings the psalms alive to me I have some queries as to how true these rewritten psalms are to the original. The author present what he sees as the message of the psalm to the modern reader and does this in an idiosyncratic way but it would be good to know how strong Mr Brandt's Hebrew is.
So while for some psalms I find it excellent (for example Psalm 90) but for others I have the reservations above (Psalm 38,44)

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandt has a real feel for the shifting emotions that sometimes comfort, sometimes afflict us. His responses to the psalms are honest and reach us where we are. No pretense; no ignoring of our failures - reading these reflections we come face to face with ourselves - and the infinite mercy of our God!

[Ghjones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This re-write of Psalms provided new inspiration in a contemporary setting. I have used many of them in worship
services. Some pastors I know have used them as small devotional openers to important meetings in the church.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so amazing to read what might be considered the spirit of each of the Psalms framed in a positive way with a modern feel. Not a translation--not even a paraphrase--but true to each of the 150 Psalms in a refreshing way. Worth reading over and over. A true Christian classic!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was was introduced to Psalms on my first day of church after being baptized. It was like my eyes were opened by God and I could see the praises of His work. Psalms is such a blessing to me. And this book allowed me again to grow closer to God! Highly recommended!

[Mona Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent; highly recommended.