Psalms are an essential part of a christian spiritual life. Psalm study is often recommended on retreats or when learning about christian communities, saints, or mystics.
This book has helped me engage with the psalms.
Reading the Psalms Again for the First Time, A spirituality for justice-seekers & peacemakers
J. Clinton McCann Jr.
Cascade Books 2024
100 pages
Book size 8 1/2 x 5 1/2
Chapters are short, but packed with information. The book is divined into thematic chapters and in each chapter a couple of psalms from that category are featured. Each chapter concludes with a few discussion questions that will easily get your group into overtime territory. If you have a chatty group, maybe pick one or two questions to focus on and encourage journalling for those who want to deeply engage all of the questions. The book would be a great 10 week study series for a small group and I could even see getting a sermon series out of the content as well.
The subtitle calls attention to Justice-Seekers and Peacemakers, which is initially what drew my attention. Call it whatever you want, social justice oriented, progressive, left-leaning, etc, this book is not for a “red” church and if you want to use it in your “purple” church, be sure your participants are “blue/violet” or it will trigger the “red vs. blue” drama that is still happening all around us. Good luck.
I wish there was a psalm index for quick reference, but flipping through the chapters its easy enough to find the featured palms in bold print.
