Exceptional Commentary
Title:
A Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 1:
1-41
Author: Allen P. Ross
Pages:
928
Publishers:
Kregel Academic & Professional
Year:
2012
Note: I received a complimentary copy from Kregel
publishers for this review. Other reviews located at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/
One of
the reasons I love to look through commentaries is to glean the richness of the
Scriptures from those who study them in a depth that enriches the soul. There are various commentaries of the 66
individual books of the Bible, with some being valuable while others may not
be. Some may determine the use of a
commentary based on denominational preference, others to understand various
viewpoints. One thought must always be
foremost in the user’s mind and that is to clearly understand the truth of the
Word of God first and foremost. The
deeper we dig into the Word, the closer we see the beauty and majesty among
other qualities of our God and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. There are some commentaries I would not
recommend as they are based on opinion instead of thorough study. Man’s writings will never be perfect for
there is only one Book that is truthful, The Bible.
Most people tend to delve right into
the commentary; I usually read a couple of pages in different parts of the book
while standing in a bookstore. I pray as
I look, and have only a couple times regretted purchasing a particular
commentary. Here, however, is one commentary I found to be just exceptional. Why?
While reading the Preface, I read the author’s purpose on page 11, “...was
to focus on the chief aim of exegesis, the exposition of the text.” Allen P. Ross acknowledges the various
historical variations of the text in Psalms 1-41; however, as stated on page 12,
“So I have written this commentary for pastors, teachers, and all serious
students of the Bible who wish to develop their understanding of the Book of
Psalms, to improve their ability to expound it with precision and depth.” This means to me that he wrote for anyone
seeking God. It is not an academic book,
but rich with information gleaned from the Scripture to aid anyone for any
reason.
This is
not a commentary on parts of Psalms 1-41, but the whole Psalm. The Scripture is right there for the reader
followed by: Composition & Context, Exegetical Analysis, and Commentary in
Expositional Form, ending with Message and Application. The footnotes show the original language as
well as explain the meaning. These
footnotes aren’t necessarily distracting or too many and that helps the student
to read and understand the Scriptures.
I find this type of commentary very
beneficial as a student of the Word of God for my own walk with the Lord. It also benefits me as a woman who shares the
Word of God in study time with other women.
This commentary is refreshingly different because it seeks to help us
understand the Word and not be divided based on denominational leanings or any
other preconceptions. Allen P. Ross’
commentary rates a 5+ star and I highly recommend it to anyone who seeks God.
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