This is where C.S.Lewis shows that he isn't a pure theologian. His analysis of the psalms is more litterary than theological. His understanding of the imprecatory psalms as containing naivete, error and contradictions or wickedness is clealy miscontrued ! This reflects poorly on his view of scripture as containing or carrying the Word of God, rather than being the word of God. (p22 & 111-112) ( )

Short and to the point, taking the Psalms for the poetry they are and addressing each emotion that is woven throughout them. Some good historical context, and just wise thoughts on a book that is hard to pin down. ( )

From Goodreads:

Once again, Lewis elucidates what can be so difficult to understand. That is not to say he is right about everything (many a theologian will take umbrage at his doctrine of Scripture), but he certainly draws out truth that he is uniquely qualified to see.

Lewis admits he is a layman writing for fellow laymen. The work of trained theologians is to come alongside this faithful co-laborer and tighten the screws, plug the holes. When we do, “Reflections on the Psalms” is as wonderful a companion to the Scripture’s Songbook that we could hope to find. ( )

I liked this better than Mere Christianity, and some of it was very calming, but Mr. Lewis and I disagree on a little too many things! Still would recommend and buy for friends. ( )

In this wise and enlightening book, C. S. Lewis examines the Psalms. As Lewis divines the meaning behind these timeless poetic verses, he makes clear their significance in our daily lives, and reminds us of their power to illuminate moments of grace.

"Um homem não pode defender a verdade o tempo todo; é preciso que também haja um tempo para que possa alimentar-se dela."

Ler CS Lewis é como arejar a mente e o coração das teias de aranha. Neste livro, o capítulo 3 (A Morte nos Salmos) e 4 (A Bondade do Senhor) são os meus preferidos. ( )

Thoughtfully superb, as is most of Lewis' work.

May I learn to love judgement as the Psalmist does. ( )

My interest in Lewis' spiritual writings is deepened with each one I read. Reflections on the Psalms only bolstered that confidence. Despite his usual disclaimer regarding his theological pedigree, he illuminates the great themes and purpose of the Psalms to bring new light to understanding. Moving from "Judgement' in the Psalms, he progresses through 'cursings,' death,' nature, and other narrations of his extended reflection to finally teach, really, a word about allegorical meanings.

Of particular interest is his treatment of Melchizedek, who drifts into view as priest and king in Genesis and is highligted in Psalm 10. This mysterious man assumes a superiority accepted by Abraham, the father of the faith, without question. Lewis describes him as a "numinous figure" who God provided with unforgettable impressiveness, "...the idea of a priesthood, not Pagan but a priesthood to the one God, far earlier than the Jewish priesthood which descends fro Aaron...somehow superior to Abraham's vocation."

This is a book I will re-read. ( )

The thing I love most about this little book is the speculative nature of it, which Lewis owns from the first sentence: "This is not a work of scholarship." He's conjecturing based on his knowledge of ancient cultures and the context of the whole Bible. I'm not sure about some of his conclusions, but he isn't either. He asks questions such as, did the inspired writers always know what they penned was inspired? Do the psalmists ever sin with their words (cursing their enemies, etc) and if so, what use are such writings to the Christian (i.e. why does God want us to read them?).

Lewis compares and contrasts often: other ancient works of similar literary genre to the psalms, the ancient Jewish perspective to the Christian perspective. He references specific psalms as well as the book in general to muse about topics like death, joy, praise, nature, the Law, and the Messianic "second meanings." I would not start a reader here to discover his nonfiction work, but for those of us who enjoy spending time with his humble, honest reflections on any topic, this book is certainly worthwhile. ( )

Best known as the author of the Chronicles of Narnia and several book on Christian apologetics, C.S. Lewis here takes a variety of "reflections" on themes in Psalms, not as an expert but as a companion reading alongside.

Each chapter focuses on one aspect of the Psalms, starting with what Lewis considers the hardest ones - vengeance, for example, and cursing - broken down topically in an almost random way. The final three chapters are closely intertwined, discussing "second meanings" when perhaps the author is talking about more than he actually meant and readers are interpreting it differently in literature, Scripture in general, and then finally the Psalms. Though not my favorite Lewis, Psalms is one of my favorite parts of Scripture so it was fun to get an idea of what Lewis thought of these topics (definitely have your own translation with you, as he refers to specific verses throughout often without quoting them or expanding much on them). ( )

I always enjoy Lewis. This is a different kind of book for him. Not strictly apologetics, but it shows this very intelligent, classicly trained English gentleman wrestling with aspects of the Psalms that can be off-putting for many. I don't always agree with what he says, but enjoy seeing how he gets there. Always intrigued when a non-theologian writes about religion. What if I were to write about plumbing?
This book has a lot that makes it profitable to read. ( )

I enjoy Lewis's religious writings immensely--something which I always find a bit perplexing since I do not consider myself religious and often have very little or no real understanding of the doctrine or scriptures he is discussing. But he writes about difficult concepts well, and I usually leave his books with some sense that I've understood something I didn't before. Often I get insight into the world from his musings, too (in this book, chapter five sparked some useful thinking about the rampant commercialism of Christmas). There's no doubt that Lewis sometimes comes off super pompous and I often want to smack him upside the head and remind him that not everyone is a white, male, educated, protestant from Britain, but there's worth to be found here if you can accept and see past the fact that he will always sound very much like he's only talking to other people just like him. ( )

We delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.The Psalms were written as songs; we should read them as poetry, in the spirit of lyric, not as sermons or instructions. But they are also shrouded in mystery, and in this careful reading from one of our most trusted fellow travelers, C.S. Lewis helps us begin to reveal their meaning in our daily lives and in the world. Reflecting again and anew on these beloved passages, we can find both joy and difficulty, but also, always, real enlightenment and moments of transcendent grace."e;This book may not tell the reader all he would like to know about the Psalms, but it will tell him a good deal he will not like to know about himself."e; Times Literary Supplement"e;[Lewis] . . . displays in this volume the same keen insight and gifted tongue that have made him one of the most highly respected essayists using the English language."e; Chicago Sunday Tribune"e;Full of illuminating observations."e; New York Times

http://thelittlemaninchina.wordpress.com/2010/07/12/book-review-%E2%80%9Creflect... ( )

Just when I think I've discovered my favorite Jack Lewis book, I go and find another one. This book took me ages to read because I simply did not want it to end. I haven't savored a text like this since reading Hugo's Les Miserables.

Like most pieces of art that make a lasting impact on me, this book raised my blood pressure a bit - made me nervous. I have never learned anything from comfort. While I can say that perhaps Lewis and I don't share identical beliefs, he has forced me (by being so incredibly humble) to his perspective. This is, after all, Jack Lewis. If anyone else had suggested some of what Mr. Lewis suggests in this small Bible study, this book quite possibly would never have seen the light of day. But like all good works, this book mades you read it in its entirety - you must let Jack finish his reasons for not equating himself with a fundamentalist - for even, in his own words, envying them - to find at the end of it all a truly fundamental conclusion. But Jack isn't fundamental because he's fundamental, he's fundamental by reason. That might not make a lot of sense to a Lewis outsider, but I believe anyone familiar with his work will know what I mean. Where Paul (an "outsider")is the Jew appealing to the gentile on Mars Hill, Lewis is the gentile who reasons from even further outside the ring to find the same conclusion - to deny that he found it fundamentally - but at heart to be operating from the same fundamental thinking that drives all good theology. That is, he divides what he reads in the Word based on what has been concluded or revealed about the Person of God Himself. That it is a faith conclusion, and it ultimately drives his reasoning.

Without giving too much away, I will say that Lewis breaks down his study of the Psalms into brilliant, tidy divisions that give a wholistic view of their pattern and importance rather than dividing them by chronology. While some of his themes have been covered before, he ventures to places I have never seen anyone else go before. His extensive knowledge and background in ancient myths adds a fascinating depth here as he is able at a glance to remark on the differences in these Hebrew mindsets compared with their pagan contemporaries. This added flavor - which highlighted how Jewish texts were completely unique - was one of my favorite things about this book and offered so many rich surprises. Indeed, a lack of understanding in this particular field is why so many Christian scholars miss much of what the Spirit was doing. Jack showed me once again that the Spirit's Poetry is incomparable.

While many would be fearful to read Lewis' suggestion that the Psalmist is actually possibly sinning in some of his warmonger type rantings, this notion of dividing what is strictly human from what is strictly God and driving back towards the ultimate question of the Spirit's purpose in preserving whatever has been written is essential to any really strong theological foundation.

Lewis steps away from the Book, turns it around several ways - reads it again and again - and sees beauty that I in my more prosaic form of fundamentalism would have failed to see if not forced by a humbler heart than my own. This would be the heart of Jack Lewis. Thank God he was brave enough to make his deepest quandries (those we have all shared in secretly) public. He has, for a few pages, given me a glance behind his eyes and into a mind different than my own - which is the point.

I have a different - much larger - much wider - much more beautiful view of the Psalms. Thanks to Jack, they have increased. I have decreased.

Good Books don't get much better than that. ( )

Lewis is out of his area of expertise here (as he admits from the outset). This, unlike most of Lewis' writings, is hard to follow and was a chore to read. ( )

LARGE PRINT

See also: 378L8

See also 224.9MD2

'C.S. Lewis relates the Psalms to their triple background: to the ancient Juadaic religion that produced them, to the age of Christ when they kook on new meanings, and to our daily experience in the modern world'.