NEW COLLEGEVILLE BIBLE COMMENTARY: PSALMS 1-72 - 9780814628577

New Collegeville Bible Commentary: Psalms 1–72 (Volume 22) by Dianne Bergant, CSA, is a 144-page paperback commentary on the first half of the Book of Psalms, from Psalm 1 through Psalm 72. Its range includes many of the most familiar psalms, among them Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd") and Psalm 51, the psalm of repentance. Bergant explains the circumstances in which they arose and how they served for both teaching and prayer. It is suited to readers beginning a study of the Psalter, to Bible study groups, and to anyone who wants to pray familiar psalms with deeper understanding.

Bergant approaches each psalm through its theological and historical background while drawing out its qualities as poetry, so readers meet the laments, hymns of praise, and prayers of thanksgiving in this collection with fresh understanding. This is the first of her two Psalms volumes in the series; the second, Volume 23, covers Psalms 73–150. A past president of the Catholic Biblical Association, Bergant is Distinguished Professor Emerita of Old Testament Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Use & care: Suited to personal prayer with the psalms, parish Bible study, and Lenten reflection, when Psalm 51 is prayed often. Open the paperback gently rather than folding the cover back, and store it upright on a shelf.