James M. Houston

The Psalms as Christian Worship: A Historical Commentary is a collaboration by two of the most revered evangelical scholars of the last 50 years.

Bruce Waltke, who has been teaching and preaching the book of Psalms for over fifty years, skillfully establishes the meaning of the Hebrew text through the careful exegesis for which he is well known. James Houston traces the church's historical interpretation and use of these psalms, highlighting their deep spiritual significance to Christians through the ages.

Waltke and Houston focus their in-depth commentary on thirteen psalms that represent various genres and perspectives or hold special significance for Christian faith and the life of the church, including Psalm 1, Psalm 23, Psalm 51, and Psalm 139.

While much modern scholarship has tended to "despiritualize" the Psalms, Waltke and Houston's "sacred hermeneutic" listens closely to the two voices of the Holy Spirit—heard infallibly in Scripture and edifyingly in the church's response. A masterly historical-devotional commentary, The Psalms as Christian Worship will deepen the church's worship and enrich the faith and life of contemporary Christians.… (more)

A tidal wave is coming. The baby boomers have already started reaching the age of retirement and as they age, they will change everything. Is the church ready? And how can elders benefit the church? How does the church support and encourage not only elders but caregivers? This is an outstanding, passionate book. It repeats itself a little and goes off track once in awhile, but overall, is very good. I would encourage any young person to look at some type of gerontology as they prepare to work in the world that is coming.… (more)

This is really two books in one. An historical survey of commentators throughout the centuries by Houston, and a detailed grammatical commentary on the selected Psalms by Waltke. Houston's survey is often haphazard and hard to follow. His choice of which time periods to cover seems random, and the information he chooses to include seems, at times, unrelated to the Psalms. I found this section of each psalm often unhelpful. Waltke's commentary is not for the faint of heart. It is very technical both in Hebrew grammar and poetic terminology. It is, however, thorough. I did not like this commentary as much as his Genesis commentary, but the styles are very different.… (more)