Psalms 42–72 (Reformed Expository Commentary | REC)
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
In the inspired poems of the Psalms, we find the full range of human emotions laid bare before the heart of God. Pastor-theologian Richard D. Phillips provides thoughtful, devotional commentary on the psalms of Book 2 (Psalms 42–72), which is distinctive for its variety of authors. He shows that in the spiritual walk of faith, these psalmists take believers by the hand and guide us in our communion with God, pointing always to Christ.
- Presents a comprehensive exposition characterized by careful attention to the details of the text
- Provides a sequential, systematic treatment of a book of the Bible, passage by passage
- Applies the text of Scripture to contemporary challenges of life
Top Highlights
“The homesickness that we feel when we are unable to join fellow believers for worship should call to mind the greater alienation from God that is caused by sin.” (Page 6)
“Psalm 51 presents four vital matters regarding this doctrine: repentance requires confession of sin, relies on God’s mercy, finds cleansing in Christ’s blood, and produces new obedience by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Page 88)
“The first problem that he notes about his old age is weakness, including the loss of both strength and ability” (Page 322)
“The Christian life does not end with forgiveness, but begins there.” (Page 94)
“First comes transgressions (Hebrew, pesha‘), in verses 1 and 3. Transgress means ‘to cross a boundary’ or ‘to break a rule.’” (Pages 88–89)
The book of Psalms is a divinely inspired handbook of worship—God’s ‘how‑to’ book of worship. Only the operation of inspiration can explain the book’s remarkable unity in spite of its multiple authorship. The personal and sundry ways that each author expressed his feelings, fears, doubts, joys, sorrows, and desires are paradigms illustrating how God expects worshipers to express themselves. The Psalms address the issues of life. In his exposition of Psalms 42–72, Phillips carefully explains the details of the Psalms in concise and clear language and consistently bridges the distance between the then of the ancient poems and the now of current life. Laypeople will benefit as they read the commentary with their Bibles open, and pastors will be instructed in how to turn their exegesis into meaningful sermons for their congregations.
—Michael Barrett, VP for Academic Affairs/Academic Dean, Professor of Old Testament, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
The Psalms open the soul to expose the heights of worship and the depths of sorrow—sometimes in the same psalm. They are, as John Calvin put it, ‘an anatomy of all parts of the soul.’ Both informative to the mind and encouraging to the soul, Richard Phillips’s sermonic commentary leads the believer through valley and mountaintop to discover that wherever we are, our faithful God is there with us and will minister to our every need.”
——Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Richard Phillips has provided an excellent expositional commentary on the second book of the Psalter, Psalms 42–72. It is theologically rich and robust, and will be of great use to pastors as they prepare their sermons on this part of the Psalms. I am especially pleased with how the author looked toward Christ through these psalms, doing so in a good and appropriate way. May the church indeed benefit from using this fine work.
——John D. Currid, Chancellor’s Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary
- Title: Psalms 42–72
- Author: Richard D. Phillips
- Series: Reformed Expository Commentary (REC)
- Publisher: P&R
- Publication Date: 2019
- Pages: 390
- Christian Group: Reformed
- Resource Type: Commentary
- Topic: Psalms
