Voicing God's Psalms

By Calvin G. Seerveld and Cleo Qian

Book Overview

On the pages of this poignant volume are fresh verse translations of the biblical psalms by master wordsmith Calvin Seerveld. Voicing God's Psalms contains thirty-seven psalms from the canonical book of Psalms and several psalmic passages from elsewhere in Holy Scripture (both Testaments) -- all strikingly translated by Seerveld from the original Hebrew and Greek languages into idiomatic American English.

Seerveld has arranged his carefully crafted psalm translations into thematic clusters under nine progressive headings. He follows half of his translations with singable psalm versifications fashioned to various melodies. In an introduction and an afterword Seerveld sets the biblical psalms in historical context, highlights the rough and tender tenor of God's psalms, and offers concrete suggestions for helping these psalms come alive in our private and public worship today.

The accompanying audio CD features oral readings by Seerveld himself of many of the printed psalm translations, interspersed with select versification melodies skillfully played by solo recorder or saxophone.

An extraordinary book-and-CD combination, Voicing God's Psalms will help many worship leaders and music directors in preparing liturgies and will inspire many believers in their personal devotions.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080282806X
• ISBN13: 9780802828064
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 188 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Searing renderings of the Psalms

Seerveld's searing renderings of the Psalms are not only admirable for their literary achievement but also enriching for the way they make the ancient words of the Psalms vivid and direct. Seerveld's selections are comparable to Eugene's Peterson magnificent translation in The Message, but Seerveld's versions feel slightly more raw and gritty, capturing some of the earthy flavor the Psalms no doubt had for their first hearers and singers. Online exclusive recordings of Seerveld's readings are at .