Catholic Psalms Study in English
After some years I am returning to Verbum/Logos and am very grateful to this forum and Logos Support in resolving the initial problems I had.
Now I am ready to study the Bible, as issues with the program are resolved. I am interested in the Psalms in English from mainly, but not exclusively, a Catholic perspective. I am considering an upgrade and would welcome suggestions for resources, even though I have a large number already, and also on the preferred version of Logos for my interests,
Again, I want to take this opportunity to thank those who replied to me and the great help I got on the phone from Logos support.
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I don't think the version of Logos is going to make any difference to you, but having the right resources certainly could. Here are some resources I've found useful which focus mostly on the English text:
One work that comes to mind immediately is Derek Kidner's two-volume commentary on the Psalms in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series (Evangelical). It is a non-technical commentary that nonetheless has been consistently ranked among the best on the Psalms for many years (published in 1981). It is inexpensive, and also happens to be on sale right now.
An interesting nontechnical modern (2009, U. Notre Dame) Catholic work that's available in Logos is Benedictine Fr. Laurence Kriegshauser's Praying the Psalms in Christ. This work treats each Psalm in order, providing an amazing number of cross references - which are super easy to use in Logos.
Another useful modern (2001, Emmaus Road) Catholic work on the Psalms is Michael Barber's Singing in the Reign: The Psalms and the Liturgy of God’s Kingdom. This is a fairly short book that approaches the Psalms thematically, and spends the last third of the book covering the restoration of the Kingdom under Christ.
There were several good studies of the Psalms published in English by Catholics in the first half of the 20th century, and Logos has a couple of them: by McSwiney, and by Boylan. These are only available in a set. They are somewhat technical, and translate/deal with the Vulgate.
Among Catholic treatments of the Psalms, the six-volume collection of Saint Augustine's sermons is notable. Logos has an older "Oxford movement" era translation available for pretty short money, but also has a more modern translation available at a premium price. If you have the Philip Schaff Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers set, you already have an abridged version of the Oxford translation in volume 1.8 of NPNF.
Saint Alphonsus de Liguori wrote a very highly regarded treatise on the Psalms and Canticles of the Divine Office which is quite usable as a commentary on Psalms in Logos/Verbum, seeing as it is indexed on Bible refs, and will sync fine to any Bible, Psalter, etc.
One very interesting topical work from Evangelical scholar Gordon Wenham that might be of interest is Psalms as Torah: Reading Biblical Song Ethically.
Most important would be helpful translation of the Psalms. One of my favorites is The Psalter, or Psalms of David: In English Verse, by mid-19th century Oxford don John Keble. It's a bit free, but terrific. The other Psalter I'd recommend at this time is the original Grail Psalter, this being the version currently used by English-speaking Catholics to pray the Liturgy of the Hours daily. Also rather free, but great for recitation/praying.
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Super helpful post. I just wanted to comment on this:
John W Gillis said:There were several good studies of the Psalms published in English by Catholics in the first half of the 20th century, and Logos has a couple of them: by McSwiney, and by Boylan. These are only available in a set. They are somewhat technical, and translate/deal with the Vulgate.
It's hard to find commentary on the Vulgate Psalms that considers Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. I've enjoyed having this one.
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Brian W. Davidson said:
It's hard to find commentary on the Vulgate Psalms that considers Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. I've enjoyed having this one.
I went over this product page several times, but didn't see the value. Now, I do ... thanks! My understanding (poor) is the Psalter was the earlest, beyond basic teachings (long before a canon).
"If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.
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These suggestions (and a bit more) have been added to this Reading list: Psalters and studies (logos.com)
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
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Another resource I'd like to suggest are the two Psalms volumes from the Ancient Christian Commentary, which provide a catena style overview of patristic readings:
https://verbum.com/product/50266/ancient-christian-commentary-on-scripture-psalms-1-50
https://verbum.com/product/50267/ancient-christian-commentary-on-scripture-psalms-51-150
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Dear All,
First of all, please forgive me but this request is more about the technique of making notes re the Psalms (and other books).
I cannot understand the tutorials (partly because of my age and partly because of my lack of computer skills!). I would be so grateful if I could find someone to do a screen share with me and show me step by step how to take notes in Verbum. I just cannot explain in writing my problem or understand the written text. If someone could find the time to help it would be a great grace for me! Thank you.
Father Kevin.
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Fr. Kevin,
We have a live webinar coming up on taking notes in Verbum! You can register here. There will be a presentation and then a question and answer section. The webinar is November 14th at 10 AM Pacific.
We also have a training video on taking notes: https://support.verbum.com/hc/en-us/articles/4402655783693-Verbum-360-Training-Verbum-10-
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Thank you Donald, I shall give it a try. However, I have tried before and I just cannot follow these webinars(my inability, no reflection on those who offer such webinars). I would really need for someone to do a screen share with me and direct me step by step in the very basics of making notes; anythings else just appears to me as too complicated and I get lost (again my 'fault').
Someone has offered to do a screen share with me and I shall try to let you know how I get on.
Gratefully, Fr. Kevin.
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