Journey: Psalms For Pilgrim People

by J. Alec Motyer

What is possibly the most exquisite single group of psalms - 120-134 - describe themselves as 'songs of ascents'. They recall the journeys of pilgrims from all over the land 'up' to Jerusalem to keep the feasts of the Lord. And as the people walked, they

Genres: Biblical Studies, Christian

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2009

About the author

J. Alec Motyer (M.A., B.D., D.D.) was formerly principal of Trinity College in Bristol, England. He has extensive experience in parish ministry and is well known as a Bible expositor. He is author of The Prophecy of Isaiah, and he is Old Testament editor of IVP's commentary series, The Bible Speaks Today. He has written several volumes in that series.

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall it really enjoyed this volume, especially the observation that the Psalms of Ascents can be broken into triads with repeated themes. Occasionally Motyer gets a little disorganized in his enthusiasm for textual details, but it’s like listening to a brilliant elderly professor, lovable because of his eccentricities.

[Marco Ambriz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommend to anyone wanting something to accompany you in reading The Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 120-136) for prayer and reflection. Alec Motyer provides some very helpful historical background and some powerful thoughts on the Christian life as a pilgrimage today. Not an exhaustive study but just the right amount to have a guide for gleaning more deeply in the Psalm. I was inspired in several places to see God at work in the history of the people of Israel and encouraged to have hope of his work in me today.

[Andrew Cottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book for a slow personal pilgrimage through the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). For that purpose the book was excellent

[Derek Winterburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alec Motyer writes a book that is scholarly and devotional, rooted in the text and connected to real life. This is a gentle introduction to the Songs of Ascent psalms. I was not altogether convinced by his theory of the psalms being in triplets, or all of his structural analyses - but the author's depth of knowledge of the Old Testament world is highly illuminating. Read this book for a guided reading of these wonderful psalms, that is abreast of scholarship but written from a pastor's heart.

[Calvin Coulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. Motyer is a gift from God who shines light on the songbook of Israel as they journey toward the holy city.

[Carmen Thong · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compelling study/thematic focus on a set of psalms that I have yet to encounter - but some of his analogies or sentences were just very odd and confusing...