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On the Book of Psalms: Exploring the Prayers of Ancient Israel
This book is the result of a lifetime of study of the Hebrew Bible by a mature scholar whose love of the Tanakh, and especially of the Psalter, shines through on every page.
312 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 1993
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About the author
Nahum M. Sarna
20 books13 followersNahum Mattathias Sarna (Hebrew: נחום סרנא; March 27, 1923 – June 23, 2005) was a modern biblical scholar who is best known for the study of Genesis and Exodus represented in his Understanding Genesis (1966) and in his contributions to the first two volumes of the JPS Torah Commentary (1989/91). He was also part of the translation team for the Kethuvim section of the Jewish Publication Society's translation of the Bible, known as New Jewish Publication Society of America Version.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 30, 2020
This exploration of 10 psalms combines a theological and historical perspective to provide an excellent analysis of the psalms. (Unfortunately, though, he does not provide a literary perspective.) The history is especially interesting, particularly Sarna’s knowledge of the surrounding ancient cultures and the elements borrowed from them.
Sarna highlights 10 psalms. I’m not sure why he picked these particular ones. He talks of sharing the “thought world” of the original psalmists. None of the 10 stood out to me as particularly noteworthy in previous readings (compared to Psalms 22, 44, and 88,which I consider more interesting), or particularly famous (like Psalm 23). Of course, I’m reading more from a literary than a religious/historical point of view.
For someone who knows little about the psalms, this is an excellent introduction of these ancient and complex works.
But a word of caution: This book provides at times a painstaking, exceedingly close reading of the psalms. As with most close readings, however, the author sometimes misses the forest for the trees. The reading is so close it becomes myopic in places.
To cite a quick example: In his explication of Psalm 19, Sarna methodically goes through the poem showing links between the language in the poem and the sun. If you aren’t familiar with the poem, the first half or so talks a lot about the sun and the second half doesn’t explicitly mention it. (Some people wonder if Psalm 19 is two different psalms intentionally or unintentionally combined.)
But Sarna is determined to find the connection to the sun in the second half. And he does a line by line (and word by word analysis) until he comes to this:
“The fear of the lord is pure,
Abiding forever”
p. 88
As soon as I read this, I knew he’d find a line or reference in either another psalm, another part of the Torah or in contemporary ancient literature in which “forever” or “eternity” was linked to the word/image “sun.” And, surprise, he did! Well, it’s not a surprise. I bet I could find a link between “eternal” and “sun” in Homer. Or ancient Chinese texts. Or ancient Sanskrit texts. This is a commonplace. It doesn’t explain anything. (Besides, I couldn’t help but feel that you can prove anything and its opposite with a quote from the Bible.)
My peeve aside, this is still an interesting read for someone who wants to dig deeper into the psalms. I wish he would have discussed the poetic form a bit more, but I learned a lot. I strongly encourage reading Robert Alter’s fantastic translation of the psalms. It is both beautiful and enlightening.
Sarna highlights 10 psalms. I’m not sure why he picked these particular ones. He talks of sharing the “thought world” of the original psalmists. None of the 10 stood out to me as particularly noteworthy in previous readings (compared to Psalms 22, 44, and 88,which I consider more interesting), or particularly famous (like Psalm 23). Of course, I’m reading more from a literary than a religious/historical point of view.
For someone who knows little about the psalms, this is an excellent introduction of these ancient and complex works.
But a word of caution: This book provides at times a painstaking, exceedingly close reading of the psalms. As with most close readings, however, the author sometimes misses the forest for the trees. The reading is so close it becomes myopic in places.
To cite a quick example: In his explication of Psalm 19, Sarna methodically goes through the poem showing links between the language in the poem and the sun. If you aren’t familiar with the poem, the first half or so talks a lot about the sun and the second half doesn’t explicitly mention it. (Some people wonder if Psalm 19 is two different psalms intentionally or unintentionally combined.)
But Sarna is determined to find the connection to the sun in the second half. And he does a line by line (and word by word analysis) until he comes to this:
“The fear of the lord is pure,
Abiding forever”
p. 88
As soon as I read this, I knew he’d find a line or reference in either another psalm, another part of the Torah or in contemporary ancient literature in which “forever” or “eternity” was linked to the word/image “sun.” And, surprise, he did! Well, it’s not a surprise. I bet I could find a link between “eternal” and “sun” in Homer. Or ancient Chinese texts. Or ancient Sanskrit texts. This is a commonplace. It doesn’t explain anything. (Besides, I couldn’t help but feel that you can prove anything and its opposite with a quote from the Bible.)
My peeve aside, this is still an interesting read for someone who wants to dig deeper into the psalms. I wish he would have discussed the poetic form a bit more, but I learned a lot. I strongly encourage reading Robert Alter’s fantastic translation of the psalms. It is both beautiful and enlightening.
April 14, 2022
After a useful introduction to the Psalms as a whole, Nahum Sarna offers what amounts to chapter-length commentaries on ten of the Psalms: 1, 8, 19, 15, 24, 30, 48, 82, 93, 94.
His incorporation of material from Near Eastern cultures and religions, using it to compare and contrast with the Israelite psalms, is a valuable contribution to our interpretation of this biblical poetry.
His incorporation of material from Near Eastern cultures and religions, using it to compare and contrast with the Israelite psalms, is a valuable contribution to our interpretation of this biblical poetry.
August 28, 2021
Amazing book for historical and cultural context around the writing and has given me amazing new appreciation and understanding for the psalms
June 23, 2022
Nahum Sarna writes with a beautiful clarity and eloquence as he journeys through an exploration of some of Israel's most poignant and enduring psalms. Whilst not attempting to provide an in depth commentary nor a generalist's entry to the Psalter as a whole, Sarna still manages to discuss a spectrum of relevant yet diverse set of psalms which provides a satisfying overview to the famous song book.
Combining dynamic and thorough academic insights with profound reflection upon the religious and spiritual implications and meaning of each psalm, Sarna's work is a delightful and thought-provoking read.
Combining dynamic and thorough academic insights with profound reflection upon the religious and spiritual implications and meaning of each psalm, Sarna's work is a delightful and thought-provoking read.
October 27, 2025
This is a deep-dive into several texts in Psalms, guided by an expert on the books of the Tanakh. Practicing Jews will recognize several of the choices, as they appear in the daily liturgy, but it's fascinating to see them dissected and analyzed in detail from a scholarly perspective, and I learned a lot (for example, how some Psalms were likely meant to be recited antiphonally, with a group of pilgrims being answered by a Priest or a Levite). I only wish that the publisher had reproduced the Hebrew text of the Psalms in question, so those of us familiar with the original can better see how his translation choices agree with or deviate from traditional ones.
September 6, 2017
I really liked this book. I loved Sarna's analysis of Psalm 82. I also really liked his take on the righteous on page 34 and how it relates to "the sinners" and "the scoffers" ... this is a book I have to own, to pick up and read again. Sarna is like that. If you love the scriptures, Sarna is a great author that helps with the content and context of Hebrew passages.
August 14, 2011
I enjoyed Sarna's analysis of several psalms a great deal. It isn't obvious how Sarna picked the psalms for this volume - starting with number one, I initially thought this would go through all of them in order. Several of the later essays are from selections used as daily psalms in the traditional liturgy, but not all. This book did a great job of bringing psalm 15 to my attention - that is not encountered often (ever?) in traditional Jewish liturgy, and the clarity of the ethical contract which the psalmist describes is marvelous.
He does a good job of looking at other similar texts found in the ancient Near East, and showing both commonalities and differences - not to imply a different origin to the psalm, but rather to illuminate how the psalm would have been received contemporaneously. Interesting, the essays get shorter as the book goes on - I don't know whether this is the result of a change in attention, a looming publication deadline, or something else entirely, but it is notable and a bit odd. Sarna's analysis, likewise, is refreshing and clear.
He does a good job of looking at other similar texts found in the ancient Near East, and showing both commonalities and differences - not to imply a different origin to the psalm, but rather to illuminate how the psalm would have been received contemporaneously. Interesting, the essays get shorter as the book goes on - I don't know whether this is the result of a change in attention, a looming publication deadline, or something else entirely, but it is notable and a bit odd. Sarna's analysis, likewise, is refreshing and clear.
February 23, 2015
Re-read.The author is a well-known Biblical scholar. In this book he takes 10 psalms & discusses them - not piously, but in terms of their historical background, themes they share in common with other ancient literature, &c. Well-written & aimed at the lay reader (not other scholars).
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January 23, 2010Very informational. I did a thesis on it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews