Synopsis
Showing how the Psalms give profound and candid expression to both our highest aspirations and our deepest pain, the late, highly respected Cistercian Abbot M. Basil Pennington shares his reflections on some of the most beloved passages from the Bible s most widely read book. In this companion volume to The Song of Songs: A Spiritual Commentary, Pennington is once again joined by Jewish artist Phillip Ratner, whose evocative works will lead you into more meaningful contemplation of the inner spirit of the Psalms.
Pennington describes how the monastic tradition of regular reflection on the Psalms a technique St. Benedict called the work of God, or Opus Dei can help you transform your everyday life into a powerful life of prayer. Enriched by Jewish and Christian faith, the drawings and meditations speak to every person wanting both to connect with their most human longings and to forge a vital connection with the Divine.
Library Journal
Pennington is a monk perhaps best known for a book called Centering Prayer. This new work, a kind of successor to The Song of Songs: A Spiritual Commentary, selects a handful of the psalms and offers a sweet, personal, almost easygoing response to each. Pennington's commentaries are, in the most ancient sense, sermons ("chats"); his approach, examples, language, and imagery are all easy and accessible, and he fixes his attention on the psalms' aspect as songs of praise and love between God and humanity. Pennington's words are accompanied by pen and wash illustrations by Israel-based artist Ratner. For most collections. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.