Psalmist, I Am: Live through the Many Emotions of a
Follower, It’s OK! By Ray Abner (WestBow Press, 2012) is not what I had
expected. The book is a collection of passages from the Psalms that show the many
emotions that human beings – people like King David and like you and me- are
prone to experience.
Abner has categorized passages that teach us about God,
about prayer, about being in distress, about following and praising God, and
even how a psalmist (not just King David, but all believers) can proclaim the
ways of God, and in doing so point to Christ.
Selections include some of the better known or favorite
passages from the psalms, and others that may not be as well known, but are
equally applicable. Although Abner doesn't address this specifically, someone
once asked if there were any psalm other than the 23rd that is
appropriate for funerals. The answer, of course, is ‘yes’.
The ‘I Am’ part of the title comes from the pages that are
provided for journaling our own blessings, distresses and praises along with
the emotions that are stirred up as we dwell in the Psalms for any period of
time.
My initial reaction was too discount the book because of its
simplicity, but as I became more engaged, the simplicity is much of what makes
it work.
Much thought went into the selection and categorizing of the
passages, and they are pleasantly arranged.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest
review. I was not required to write a positive review.
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