Bible
Psalms in an Age of Distraction Experiencing the Restorative Power of Biblical Poetry Ethan C. Jones Foreword by Elizabeth Robar
The psalms endure. Throughout the centuries, Christians have read, prayed, and sung this rich collection of poems. But in our current age of distraction, the daily rhythms of modern life revolve more around screens than biblical texts. This book argues that the psalms are poetry for the soul, poetry that shapes us. Beyond highlighting the poetry of the Psalter, the book attends to the theological freight of these poems. As such, we learn to read Scripture more attentively and love God and the world well. The first part of the book explores how we can read the psalms amid the pull of modern distractions. The second part highlights the various features of several psalms, showing what these poems can teach us about living in a more focused, attentive way. This engaging book demonstrates how our thoughts, emotions, and worship of the triune God are sharpened and deepened through the psalms. In an era of dimly lit faces and multitasking, the poetry of Psalms remains ready to train our ears, steady our hearts, and teach us to pray so that we might flourish in Christ. “In a discussion tautly guided by attention to textual specificity and fully informed about current scholarship, Jones invites the reader to be alert to the rich resources of the Psalter. Readers can expect to find in these pages suggestive connections between the imag - inative claims of faith and the day-to-day reality of our common life.” —WALTER BRUEGGEMANN, Columbia Theological Seminary “Jones’s excellent book pays scrupulous attention to juxtaposi- tion, paradox, and metaphor and the way these poetic devices work to enhance meaning. His reading of the psalms is refreshing, prophetic, and strikingly relevant to the age we live in.” —MALCOLM GUITE, Girton College, Cambridge “Designed for nonspecialists, this book will prove edifying and in- structive for a wide range of readers—from beginners to seasoned experts.” —BRENT A. STRAWN, Duke University “While the physicality of digital images on our mobile devices pro- vokes curiosity so that we want more, the ethereal quality of poetic images in the book of Psalms provide a reassuring stability. Jones uses several psalms to illustrate their universal poetic appeal in our transient world, offering a fascinating reclamation of ancient biblical poetry for a contemporary setting.” —SUSAN GILLINGHAM, University of Oxford (emeritus)
OCTOBER 2024 • 176 pp. • paper • $24.99 • 9781540967640
Ethan C. Jones , PhD, is associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew and Don and Helen Bryant Chair of Old Testament at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He previously served as a visiting scholar in Hebrew studies at the University of Cambridge. He is the author and editor of several books and numerous articles that engage the language, poetry, and theology of the Old Testament.
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