The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary

( 7 )

All Available Formats + Editions

——

$11.37

NOOK Book

——

$11.37

The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary (eBook) Pub. Date: 10/19/2009 Publisher: Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
$7.98

$12.51

Paperback

$7.98

$12.51

The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary Pub. Date: 10/19/2009 Publisher: Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
$4.24

$23.62

Hardcover

$4.24

$23.62

The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary Pub. Date: 9/10/2007 Publisher: Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.

Customers Who Bought This Also Bought

Advertising

Overview

A brilliant new translation and commentary of one of the Bible’s most cherished and powerful books.

Like the Five Books of Moses a cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the Book of Psalms has been a source of solace and joy for countless readers over millennia. The cleansing purity of its images invites reflection and supplication in times of sorrow. The musicality of its powerful rhythms moves readers to celebration of good tidings. So today as it has been throughout our past, this is a book to be cherished as the grounding for our daily lives.

This timeless poetry is beautifully wrought by a scholar whose translation of the Five Books of Moses was hailed as a "godsend" by Seamus Heaney and a "masterpiece" by Robert Fagles. Robert Alter's The Book of Psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the Hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these ancient poems. His learned and insightful commentary shines a light on the obscurities of the text.

Robert Alter is a widely acclaimed literary scholar. He is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley.

Editorial Reviews

Michael Dirda

Every generation needs to revitalize the classics by looking at them anew, and many previous poets and scholars have taken stabs at translating the Psalms. One should welcome such efforts. Students will certainly find The Book of Psalms valuable, and it can usefully correct and supplement the more familiar English version.
—The Washington Post

Library Journal

Following his critically acclaimed 2004 translation of the Torah (The Five Books of Moses), Alter (Hebrew & comparative literature, Univ. of California, Berkeley) here turns his attention and considerable skills to the book of Psalms, taking great pains along the way to remain faithful to both the sense of the original Hebrew and the rhythms, metaphors, wordplay, and unique voice of its poetry. An extensive introduction explains Alter's philosophy of translation and the challenges faced by those rendering Hebrew text in English, and detailed, footnoted commentary gives philological, literary, and theological background and justifications for word choice and usage. A short list of resources for further reading is also included. Alter's translation may seem somewhat startling for readers more familiar with the verbose language of the King James Version, but it offers both clarity and fidelity to the meaning, meter, and nuances of the original Hebrew. Highly recommended for theological and academic libraries and for public libraries with large theological collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ5/1/07.]
—Amanda K. Sprochi

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780393337044
Publisher: Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date: 10/19/2009
Pages: 560
Sales rank: 153,736
Product dimensions: 5.60 (w) x 8.20 (h) x 1.30 (d)

Meet the Author

Robert Alter was awarded the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Lifetime Achievement and the PEN Center Literary Award for Translation. He is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley, and has published many acclaimed works on the Bible, literary modernism, and contemporary Hebrew literature.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5

( 7 )

Rating Distribution

5 Star

(2)

4 Star

(3)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(1)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines

Tell the world what you think of this product.

Add Recommendations

Your Name: Create a Pen Name or Leave Anonymously

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

- HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
- Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
- Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
- Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
- Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
- Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
- Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

- By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
- Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
- See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.

Anonymous

Posted September 20, 2007

Didactic Translation of the Psalms

Robert Alter, Ph.D. presents his translation and explanation for the 150 biblical Psalms. His work is truly a scholarly tome presenting the Psalms in their historical context and how they were intentionally or unintentionally influenced by translators and time. He reaffirms that original translators or editors organized the Psalms according to five books so the Psalms appear as divine as Moses' pentateuch. A marketing ploy in the ancient order? He describes how translations done over hundreds of years can accidentally or intentionally change the meanings of this great spiritual collection. Even simple and trivial letter swaps such as including a letter from one word to the following word dramatically altered the meaning of the original poem. Translation challenges also include how the translator altered the meaning of a Psalm by ignoring or substituting simple words when faced with complex concepts or unique words. The introduction to Alter's book is academically robust enough for someone who wants a dry explanation of the Psalms without an a lot of spiritual discussion. Dr. Alter numbers the Psalm chapters according the Masoretic, or the Hebrew numbering schema versus the Septuagint of Greek schema. This distinction is important for the reader who wants to make comparisons between Dr. Altar's collection and those in other textbooks. I particularly liked how Dr. Altar concurrently presented numbered footnotes on the same page as the text being studied. It was easy to maintain a focus on the Psalm presented at the top of the page and quickly glance at the explanation found at the bottom half of the page. He systematically explains syntax, rhythm, cadence and poetry of the psalms. It became easier to read the Psalms following Dr. Altar's explanation of the poet's tool called 'poetry related sequencing'. The poet starts a stanza or verse with a general comment that sets the tone for th Psalm. The poet then uses sequentially more specific verbs or nouns until the final verse contains the unequivocal action or unambigous meaning of the verse. Dr. Altar's book is meaningful for it's translations, grammatical explanations, and the eruditous way he explains an ancient written language. For these reasons The Psalms would be a meaningful addition to one's Psalm library. Other texts must be read for theologic or spiritual interpretation but Dr. Altar's tome is necessary for it's academic muscle.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted January 1, 2012

This a His book is lame

Lame

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
KelleyZ

Posted January 20, 2010

Outstanding resource!

I'm using this as a devotional. One psalm per day, I read the psalm and then re-read it with Alter's comments. Then I journal my thoughts on it. It's really opened my eyes to some of the meanings behind the verbiage used. A truly remarkable book!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted September 9, 2010

No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous

Posted January 2, 2010

No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous

Posted March 8, 2009

No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous

Posted March 30, 2012

No text was provided for this review.

If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble