Wisdom from the Psalms

by Peter Kreeft

The Psalms are the most popular, most universally loved and used book in the Bible, which in turn is the most popular book in the world. They are hymns, songs, poems and prayers, both formal (liturgical and communal) and informal (spontaneous, personal, and individual); and this gives them many layers of meaning rather than one, unlike theologies and creeds.


They Psalms are literally inexhaustible, so a new book of reflections on them is always welcome. Especially a book by the beloved, widely read, best-selling author and philosopher, Peter Kreeft.


In this work Kreeft shares his personal explorations into the riches of the Psalms, his profound expeditions into this deep ocean of the divinely inspired spiritual water. He focuses on the dozen or so Psalms that are most people's favorites, including Kreeft.


Kreeft says that the Pslams are powerful prayers, and a spiritual weapon that God himself has given us for our great task of spiritual warfare, which is human life on earth.


"What prayers did Jesus and his disciples pray? The Psalms! As all Jews have always done ever since they had them. The Psalms are God's answer to our plea, 'Teach us to pray.' Christ prayed them not only in synagogue but throughout His life, and at his death. He prayed Psalm 22, 'My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?' even as He was dying on the Cross."
- Peter Kreeft, from the Introduction

Genres: Religion, Theology, Christianity, Catholic

243 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2020

About the author

Peter Kreeft is an American philosopher and prolific author of over eighty books on Christian theology, philosophy, and apologetics. A convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, his journey was shaped by his study of Church history, Gothic architecture, and Thomistic thought. He earned his BA from Calvin College, an MA and PhD from Fordham University, and pursued further studies at Yale. Since 1965, he has taught philosophy at Boston College and also at The King’s College. Kreeft is known for formulating “Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God” with Ronald K. Tacelli, featured in their Handbook of Christian Apologetics. A strong advocate for unity among Christians, he emphasizes shared belief in Christ over denominational differences.

Reviews

[Laura Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic spiritual reading

[George Trudeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book should be retitled Kreeft’s musings about the Psalms. By comparison Bonhoeffer and Lewis’s books are inductive and they do not try to push their denominational beliefs on the text. Kreeft frequently pushes Roman Catholic teaching on Mary and Inclusivism that is no where found in the Psalms.

3.5 stars since Kreeft always keeps things interesting.

[Julie Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a series of free-flowing meditations on 12 psalms, a line or two at a time. As such it is effective and Kreeft is good at tying the psalms in with everyday life and bigger Christian themes and principles. I myself found the meditations a bit too free-flowing for me to be able to really focus on them well. It also tends to be a bit repetitive. If we read Kreeft's favorite quote once, we read it many times ("... those in Hell sing Sinatra's song "I Did It My Way"). This made me realize that it probably isn't intended for reading straight through, the way I did.

However, a book's reception is always dependent on one's reading style and state of mind. The book is a good one for those looking for something that is beyond a standard commentary. It may be the perfect devotional at some other time in my life. I definitely will be trying it again sometime in the future.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Wisdom from the Psalms” by Peter Kreeft is another excellent read for the “Catholic in the Pew” about several of the most famous and inspiring Psalms in the Bible. The writing, the research, and the implications have been theology researched and explained in the fantastic book. Highly recommend. Experienced as an Audio book.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kreeft does an amazing, deep dive, verse by verse, into twelve of the Psalms using the King James translation of the Bible and his own considerable spiritual insight, literary prowess, and keen wit to open them up for readers in a style he compares to rabbinic Midrash. I love this book!