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I keep this small volume in my Chaplain Kit. All 150 canticles are displayed with frequent paragraphs in a size meant to be read. (Or sung!)

The Preface notes that "In the life of Christians, there can never be too many translations of the Psalter." The "unity of the chosen people's prayer guided its elaboration as well as its adoption by the Church." [Preface 7] We take this as a signed form of Unitarian Universalism.

The short Liturgical Introduction enumerates uses and issues concerning show more the Psalms. They are received without a discernible basis for their Order, and often the meaning and function remains unknown -- Psalm 2 and 110 for example. The Superscriptions themselves are not definitive or clear. [18]

The Intro goes on to acknowledge both a wide spectrum of "attitudes toward God" [19]. We also take as an admission the fact that Christianity attempts to usurp, wholesale, the legacy and significance of a Chosen People. This point is underlined with the curious and unlikely claim that Jesus rejoiced with these canticles. [8] Did he dance like King David?

The rejoicing and unity expressed by cited Psalm 122:1 provides nothing to suggest Christ sang of his own coming. The indulgence in overstatement is not a weakness of the Notes, but a delicious provocation. I love these Notes which cite Scriptural authority and are numerous.

Understanding the topical grouping of the Psalms can ease their usage for the synthetic functionalist. The "Alleluia" psalms largely appear in the first half. Then there are psalms of the Kingdom, which acclaim the Lord as King--47; 93; 96; 97; 98; 99; 145. Christians expressly re-read royal psalms "in a Messianic perspective". [20]

Another cluster voices love of the People for Jerusalem, known as the "canticles of Zion"--24; 46; 48; 78; 84; 87; 122.

Many songs of thanksgiving are expressed in modulations of gratitude, often mixed with complaints, repentance, and sorrow. 13; 16; 22; 23; 31; 32. Indeed, most of the Psalms are laments. Psalms 22 and 77 echo theodicies from Book of Job. Indeed, the last words of Jesus on the Cross repeat Psalm 22:1--"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" show less

I grabbed this coloring book from a Little Free Library due to the adorable images, particularly the leopard and bald eagle ones. One glaringly hilarious error is on pg. 4: "BATS are small birds and live in caves."

I find myself returning again and again to this particular devotion. While it's not really meant for lay people, it most certainly can be used by non-religious. One can choose which of the Hours to use depending on one's schedule.

That said, the book is not intuitively obvious to use. There is a lot of to-in and fro-ing, back and forth among the different sections in order to obtain the correct prayers and readings. But if you start with Morning Prayer, and work your way through that, the show more "logic" of the book becomes clear. There are a number of permanent ribbon book marks to help with the page flipping.

I know that there are many objections to the non-inclusive language. I find that I can ignore that aspect and use the Office to focus my attention on what is important, which is the message. In that regard, I find it a powerful tool. show less

An brief but interesting read, worthwhile even if one only reads the appended Church documents. Unfortunately, this book is marred by an awful English translation. I'd like to find a copy of the authoritative Latin.