Reading the Psalms with Luther (published by Concordia Publishing House, 2007) serves as a simple but excellent daily devotional book for meditation on the Psalms. The book consists of brief meditations on all 150 psalms. Each meditation in the book is followed by the text of the Psalm drawn from the English Standard Version. The text of the Psalm is then followed by a brief prayer. Each Psalm is pointed, so if desired the reader may sing/chant the Psalm using Psalm tones provided on page 13 of the book. The structure of the book lends itself beautifully for use as a daily devotional.

In his treatment of the Psalms, Luther categorizes the Psalms in a “five-fold” fashion (p.14). Luther suggests some of the Psalms are Psalms of prophesy, some are Psalms of instruction, some are Psalms of comfort, some Psalms of prayer, and some Psalms of thanks. Luther suggests none of the Psalms neatly fit into one or another category, but he does want the reader to “understand that the Psalter deals with these five topics. The classifications are a help, so that we might more easily understand the Psalter” (p.15).

In the meditations for the first 31 Psalms, Luther relates each Psalm to one or two of the 10 commandments and to one or two of the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer. He demonstrates how the Psalm belongs to each of these commandments or petitions. Beginning with Psalm 32, Luther ceases relating the Psalms to the commandments or the petitions. He explains that enough examples have been given “from which it may be easily determined where each of the following psalms belong” (p.77). So from Psalm 32 to Psalm 150, Luther leaves to the reader to determine which commandment and which petition is represented by that particular Psalm.

The longer Psalms are divided by Luther into shorter parts for reading and meditation, each shorter part followed by a brief prayer. For example, Psalm 78 is divided into three segments and can be used on three separate occasions as a devotional reading. Psalm 118 has two segments; Psalm 119 is divided into eleven segments for use at eleven different times. By keeping the readings brief and the meditations simple, the book is well arranged to encourage the reader to be faithful in regular meditation and reading and prayer. This is a wonderfully practical book for personal devotions.

Dr. Phil Haugen
AFLBS/TS Professor of New Testament
Plymouth, MN

Order your copy here: Ambassador Publications Online Store