New revised standard version, general editor harold w. A translation with commentary by robert alter at indigo. For thousands of years, the psalms have been a powerful part of jewish and christian liturgy. Can you recommend some jewish commentaries on the psalms. His learned and insightful commentary illuminates the obscurities of the text. This essay discusses how robert alter enters into the scholarly debate of analyzing the book of psalms and places it in its historical context. The sinfulness and misery of a wicked man, the ground and reason of both. After more than two decades of work, a new hebrew bible to rival the king james. Robert alter has accomplished the monumental feat, 22 years in the making, of singlehandedly translating the hebrew bible into english. Robert alters the book of psalms excels them all in both content and commentary. Reading robert alters magisterial the hebrew bible. A translation with commentary by robert alter 2007, 548 page paperback the harpercollins study bible. The book of psalms read march 10 to november 17 i read two versions with notes the book of psalms.
Alter s the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the. A translation with commentary by robert alter 2007, 548 page paperback the harpercollins. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The 5 sections in psalms are labeled as books one through five. Robert alters 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. One theory is that they more or less track the history of israel, with emphasis on david. A translation with commentary by alter, robert and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. His learned and insightful commentary shines a light on the obscurities of the text. Robert alter s avowed reason for attempting a new translation of psalms is that the king james version is often though not invariably eloquent, but it ignores the rhythms of the hebrew almost entirely. While his brief versebyverse commentary is not the main focus of the book, alter s comments are helpful and scholarly. Can anyone recommend academic or ancient jewish commentaries on the psalms. 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.
Robert alter offers a translation of the hebrew scriptures in a way that captures the intended poetry like no other modern translation. A brilliant new translation and commentary of one of the bible s. Alter s the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable. A translation with commentary by robert alter, alter and r. Biblical scholar, professor, and author robert alter, well known for such works as his translation of the five books of moses and books on the bible as literature, has delivered another work as both scholar and poet. Nt church history apostolic period nt extrabiblical literature studies jesus and the gospels synoptic gospels and surrounding issues the book of acts in its. Ive read other single translations of the book of psalms. A translation with commentary by robert alter 560pp, ww norton. The complete psalms by pamela greenberg, psalms for praying by nan merrill, the psalms in other words by dom hubert van zeller, a book of psalms by stephen mitchell. A translation with commentary kindle edition by alter, robert.
Psalms with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Robert alter, the book of psalms robert alter s recent commentary on the psalms provides a fresh translation and an accessible introduction to the psalms for the nonspecialist. The preeminent scholar robert alter has finally finished his own translation. Robert alters landmark work sheds fresh light on old testament. About the author robert alteris a widely acclaimed literary scholar.
In this paper then i will summarize often in the authors own words and briefly comment on this informative introduction 2007. After more than two decades of work, a new hebrew bible to. Every psalm is treated with precision of the hebrew text. A translation with commentary 9780393337044 by alter, robert and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Pdf introduction to robert alterthe book of psalms, a. Translation of psalms that sounds like hebrew ethics. The book of psalms is divided into 5 sections which is parallel to the divisions of the writings of moses in the pentateuch which has 5 sections or books. Alter s the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of. Alterthe book of psalms, a translation with commentary1 introduction to robert alter alter is musically and poetically sensitivehe takes us back to the essence of the meaning james wood, the new yorker from the front cover. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
We have made it easy for you to find a pdf ebooks without any digging. I have been reading robert alter s the book of psalms, his introduction tracing the psalms origins back to the bronze age over 3,000 years ago, reciting his clear translation, going to the hebrew, recalling my mother never left the house without a small hebrew copy of psalms in her pocketbook, dipping into david halberstam writing about. Attridge 2006, 117 pages within paperback i am the wrong reader for the psalms. One theory is that they more or less track the history of israel, with emphasis on david moving to the fore, his accession as king, the coronation of solomon. Overview of robert alter, the book of psalms a translation with commentary. A cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the book of psalms has been a source of solace and joy for countless readers over millennia. 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. Since he began, alter s translation has been published in segments. Pdf overview of robert alter, the book of psalmsa translation. Author explores the psalms, sans soul for thousands of years, the psalms have been a powerful part of jewish and christian liturgy. Alters 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. He effectively summarizes his earlier work on biblical poetry and describes the difficulties of translating psalms. A translation with commentary by robert alter available from rakuten kobo. It is a collection of 150 poems or songs by various authors and it is divided into five books similar to the pentateuch.
Robert alters monumental translation of the hebrew bible. While his brief versebyverse commentary is not the main focus of the book, alters comments are helpful and scholarly. The book of the psalms is probably the best known part of the old testament ot. A translation with commentary by alter, robert isbn. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. The psalms volume in robert alter s series of annotated translations of the hebrew bible combines familiarity with. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the book of psalms.
One of newsweeks best books of the year and winner of the robert kirsch award for lifetime achievement. The book of gimp a complete guide to nearly everything, the cherry cola book club, and many other ebooks. The book of psalms, wisdom books, and the five books of moses. Robert alter completes his monumental translation of the. Threatenings against the enemies of christs kingdom.
The introduction covers the historical and literary background of the psalms. A translation with commentary ebook written by robert alter. 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. The book of psalms sefer tehillim my jewish learning.
I will proceed from there to a selective critique of alter s translation of psalm one, which together with. The book of psalms by robert alter books the guardian. A translation with a commentary is a literary masterpiece. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of psalms. 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. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. Robert alters new translation, the book of psalms norton. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Introduction to robert alterthe book of psalms, a translation with commentary. A worker organizes torah scrolls at the museum of the bible in washington, d.
The 1611 king james authorised version of the book of psalms and of course of the entire bible is so deep in the english. A cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the book of psalms has been a source of. The first deals with historical historical contexts, contexts which outlines the. In alter s hands, this beloved book of prayers and songs gets a distinctive new style. Christian commentaries are always seeing the texts through the eyes of christian history and not so much as jewish scripture. Robert alter is a widely acclaimed literary scholar. Alter 2009, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. The book of psalms a cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the book of psalms has been a source of solace and joy for countless readers over millennia. They are mainly to be found in the first, second and fifth book. Robert alters translation of the hebrew bible, the magnificent capstone to a. Nahum sarnas songs of the heart republished as on the book of psalms offers a fine introduction to the book of psalms and analyses of selected chapters.
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