Psalms in an Age of Distraction - by Ethan C Jones

About the Book

In our current age of distraction, the Psalms, as a rich collection of poems, remain ready to train our ears, steady our hearts, and teach us to pray and to extend our imagination so that we might flourish.

Book Synopsis

Southwestern Journal of Theology 2024 Book Award (Discipleship / Spiritual Formation)

The psalms endure. Throughout the centuries, Christians have read, prayed, and sung this rich collection of poems. But in our current age of distraction, the daily rhythms of modern life revolve more around screens than biblical texts.

This book argues that the psalms are poetry for the soul, poetry that shapes us. Beyond highlighting the poetry of the Psalter, the book attends to the theological freight of these poems. As such, we learn to read Scripture more attentively and love God and the world well. The first part of the book explores how we can read the psalms amid the pull of modern distractions. The second part highlights the various features of several psalms, showing what these poems can teach us about living in a more focused, attentive way.

This engaging book demonstrates how our thoughts, emotions, and worship of the triune God are sharpened and deepened through the psalms. In an era of dimly lit faces and multitasking, the poetry of Psalms remains ready to train our ears, steady our hearts, and teach us to pray so that we might flourish in Christ. The book includes a foreword by Elizabeth Robar.

From the Back Cover

"Filled with wisdom for embracing a Scripture-shaped life"

Ethan Jones shows that in an era of dimly lit faces and multitasking, the poetry of the Psalms remains ready to train our ears, steady our hearts, and teach us to pray so that we might flourish in Christ.

"Jones invites the reader to be alert to the rich resources of the Psalter. Readers can expect to find in these pages suggestive connections between the imaginative claims of faith and the day-to-day reality of our common life."
--Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary

"Jones's excellent book pays scrupulous attention to juxtaposition, paradox, and metaphor and the way these poetic devices work to enhance meaning. His reading of the psalms is refreshing, prophetic, and strikingly relevant to the age we live in."
--Malcolm Guite, Girton College, Cambridge

"What biblical poetry offers us is not relaxation into 'pampered self-care' but 'a better life': one marked by the habits of attention and studiousness. Designed for nonspecialists, this book will prove edifying and instructive for a wide range of readers--from beginners to seasoned experts."
--Brent A. Strawn, Duke University

"A fascinating reclamation of ancient biblical poetry for a contemporary setting."
--Susan Gillingham, Worcester College, University of Oxford (emeritus)

"A faith-infused and timely encounter with the Psalms, filled with wisdom for embracing a Scripture-shaped life in the present cultural moment. Jones's book compellingly presents the poetics of the Psalms as positively soul shaping."
--Katie M. Heffelfinger, Church of Ireland Theological Institute

"Jones's book draws attention to the psalms' poetic features in the service of deepening our understanding and appreciation of the beauty of the Bible's best-known poetic book."
--Aaron D. Hornkohl, University of Cambridge

About the Author

Ethan C. Jones, PhD, is associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew and Don and Helen Bryant Chair of Old Testament at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. He previously served as a visiting scholar in Hebrew studies at the University of Cambridge. He is the author and editor of several books and numerous articles that engage the language, poetry, and theology of the Old Testament.