Praying the Psalms of Jesus - by James W Sire (Paperback)

About the Book

Sire explores two types of psalms, those about Jesus and those Jesus might have heard read. Following the pattern of "Learning to Pray Through the Psalms," this book explores how Jesus might have heard and related to the psalms as they were read in the synagogue.

Book Synopsis

At key moments in his life on earth, Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, turned to the Psalms for words to express his deepest thoughts and emotions. It is not hard to imagine Jesus, his mind and heart saturated with the words and thoughts of the Psalms as they were prayed aloud in the Temple, going off early in the morning to pray. How much must he have mouthed the words of the Psalms and given them a fulfillment? They became his answering speech to his heavenly Father.In these pages you will discover how the psalms that relate closely to the mission of Jesus can also become our answering speech. We will begin our journey into the mind of Christ by immersing ourselves in several psalms which Jesus himself refers to and fulfills. And then in the second half of the book, we will immerse ourselves in psalms that Jesus would have meditated on during his time on earth, focusing on the heart and mind of Jesus as he prayed the psalms. Structural analysis of each psalm will help us grow our ability to read the Psalms. The guided personal prayer liturgy with each chapter will help us go deeper in the experience of praying the Psalms.Through these psalms we will discover more of the human life of our Lord and Savior. And in the process we will discover more of who we are as we come before our holy God.Also included: a group discussion and prayer experience to accompany each chapter.

Review Quotes

"A very good tool for reminding the reader of the human life of Christ, as well as the life and journey of each human being."

"A very good tool for reminding the reader of the human life of Christ, as well as the life and journey of each human being."

--Anna Marie Kane, SSJ, Catholic Library World, June 2009

"Church leaders, pastors and teachers of adult Sunday School classes may find this work very helpful for a more complete understanding of these nine Psalms."

"Church leaders, pastors and teachers of adult Sunday School classes may find this work very helpful for a more complete understanding of these nine Psalms."

--Libraries Alive, June 2008

"I found reading Praying the Psalms of Jesus a way for meditation as well as a study giving me new insights into relating the Old and New Testaments."

"I found reading Praying the Psalms of Jesus a way for meditation as well as a study giving me new insights into relating the Old and New Testaments."

--Elaine Rodning, The Lamplighter, February 2008

"Sire is a gentle teacher, injecting touches of humor, so that despite the seriousness of the material and intensity of commitment required to grasp the content, there is a personable writer inviting us on a journey."

"Sire is a gentle teacher, injecting touches of humor, so that despite the seriousness of the material and intensity of commitment required to grasp the content, there is a personable writer inviting us on a journey."

--Carolyn Egolf, Congregational Libraries Today, May/June 2008

"Sire's educated insights allow readers to delve into the Scriptures and glean new meaning from the passages."

"Sire's educated insights allow readers to delve into the Scriptures and glean new meaning from the passages."

--CBA Retailers Resources, September 2007

"Sire's primary purpose is to deepen our prayer, and he serves this end with solid scholarship and spiritual insight."

"Sire's primary purpose is to deepen our prayer, and he serves this end with solid scholarship and spiritual insight."

--People of the Book Blog, Oct. 21, 2007

"Tying Old and New Testament together in joyous proclamation of our Lord, Praying the Psalms of Jesus makes appealing, challenging food for Christian group and/or individual study. While many of the ideas demand deep thought, the narrative is clear and uncomplicated, presented by an author who obviously has great affection for the Psalms."

"Tying Old and New Testament together in joyous proclamation of our Lord, Praying the Psalms of Jesus makes appealing, challenging food for Christian group and/or individual study. While many of the ideas demand deep thought, the narrative is clear and uncomplicated, presented by an author who obviously has great affection for the Psalms."

--Donna Eggett, Christian Book Previews, February 2008

About the Author

James W. Sire (Ph.D., University of Missouri), formerly a senior editor at InterVarsity Press, is an active speaker and writer. His other books include The Universe Next Door (a worldviews textbook) and Learning to Pray Through the Psalms.