Very few commentaries can function as a single comprehensive resource for the Biblical passage at hand. The wise expositor makes use of theological introductions, critical comments on the Greek or Hebrew, a good exegetical commentary and then a few devotional commentaries – of course he also makes his own personal study of the passage.

What Allen P. Ross does for us in his new book, "A Commentary on the Psalms: volume 1" (Kregel, 2012), is distill the insights of decades of research and study on the book of Psalms into a single tool that can truly be a one-stop-shop for the busy pastor.

Ross provides 180 pages of introduction to the book of Psalms, focusing on structure and theology. He then gives us more than 700 pages of commentary on just the first 41 psalms. Each psalm is covered separately, the text is provided with an eye for meaningful textual variants (which are discussed at some length). The psalm’s composition and context is then briefly sketched and an exegetical analysis is provided. Then comes a detailed commentary focusing on exposition, and all this is wrapped up with a brief recounting of the message and application of the psalm.

Ross aims to help modern preachers and teachers to truly exposit all of the psalms in their entirety (not just a line here and there). He blends contemporary insights with gems of yesterday as he analyzes the Psalms and provides a very useful tool for the modern preacher. Ross with help from the team at Kregel, has crafted his tool to be most user-friendly. The font is large, there are helpful charts and diagrams, and clear section headings which break up the massive book. He uses footnotes throughout for more technical discussions, but chooses not to provide Hebrew transliterations as a rule, preferring just English translations and the Hebrew words themselves.

When we have his entire three volume commentary (at least from reading the introductory material it appears this will be three volumes), we will truly have a single and comprehensive resource for what may be the most important book in all of Scripture. His approach is to stick to the text but not to shy away from reading the text in light of the context of the NT revelation as well (at a later stage in the interpretation). Even if in some respects one differs with Ross, he will still find Ross’s book immensely helpful.

Ross shows how vital the Psalms were both for Hebrew worship and that of the early church. Even in the Reformer’s era, intimate knowledge of the psalter was a prerequisite for anyone aiming to take up a pastorate. How far we have fallen from an age where psalms made up the bulk of corporate worship. May Ross’s work help revive a study and interest in the Psalms today.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Kregel Publications. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review. ( )

Allen P. Ross’ A Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 1 (1-41) is a great addition to any pastor, teacher, or student’s library of commentaries on the Psalter. Dr. Ross’s work on the book of Psalms in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol 5 serves as an appetizer for this current work.

Dr. Ross shows an easy familiarity with the text of the Psalms. He is obviously at home with the biblical text; each Psalm is presented in the author’s own translation from Hebrew.
He comments freely on relevant literature about the text.

The structure of the commentary is: the author’s translation along with brief footnote discussions of textual variants; contextual overview; an exegetical analysis; exposition; and message and application. The exegetical analysis is presented in outline form, although it does not appear that the intent was to produce an outline. While some commentaries strive to condense the text into a simple outline, Ross allows the text to construct its own outline.

Particularly interesting is the section dealing with textual variants. Ross brings to bear variant readings from the Vulgate, LXX, and other Hebrew text traditions.

A Commentary on the Psalms, Vol 1 is not stuffy reading. Ross walks his reader through the garden of the collection of Hebrew worship material and points him to the God who is worshipped through His Son. If volume 1 covers Psalms 1-41, then four or five volumes may be required to complete the Psalter. Regardless, I intend to own each volume and recommend that everyone who loves the Psalms do likewise.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publications as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )

I am a lay person who is a 'serious student of the Bible'. I read the exposition of Genesis by Ross entitled Creation and Blessing and became a fan of him and his style. That exposition was perfect for me and my level of development as is this commentary/exposition of the Psalms. According to Ross it's "for pastors, teachers and all serious students of the Bible." This commentary isn't quite as academic as Goldingay's, but is very beefy and didn't leave me wanting at all. In fact, he answers questions I didn't know I had. It would be a little much for a new Christian, especially the introduction. At nearly 900 pages for volume 1 of 3, it may also look a little intimidating.

I find introductions to commentaries extremely helpful. This one is fairly long and extremely informative, and even motivating. One of the most 'valuable' parts of the Introduction is The Value of the Psalms. He quotes quite a few people from different time periods, including Calvin, and writes about the importance of the Psalms, how this importance used to be realized, and how the church in general has lost the value and stopped using the Psalms as a model for prayer and use in worship, beyond a cursory reading here and there. This has inspired me to spend more time with the Psalms and this is the type of commentary that can be used in sort of a devotional way, for lack of a better term.

There are quite a few subjects dealt with using just the right amount of words, a few of them being Literary Forms, Theology of the Psalms and a guide to Exposition of the Psalms should you want to tackle one yourself if you're not up to that level.

Ross is experienced in teaching the exposition of the Psalms in the seminary classroom and expounding them in churches, and has gained a good sense of what needs to be explained in a concise way, which I think shows in this commentary.

As opposed to taking a verse or line from a Psalm for a message (or plaque?) Ross says, "the exposition should cover the entire psalm, and that it should not only explain the text verse-by-verse but also show how the message of the psalm unfolds section-by-section. After all, a psalm is a piece of literature and therefore has a unified theme and a progression of thoughts developing that theme." He has "not included views down the history of interpretation" but mainly sticks to his own exposition except for various quotes from others used sparingly. This is definitely not a 'commentary on commentaries'.

Some Hebrew words are shown and explained. There are no transliterations, which aren't helpful anyway. For those who don't know the language, he describes the words in a pretty understandable way. Footnotes deal further with Hebrew, Greek (Septuagint) and various English translations.

Each Psalm has his own fairly literal/formal translation along with textual variant issues dealt with in the footnotes. Then Composition and Context, Exegetical Analysis (an outline), Commentary in Expository Form, and Message and Application.

He seems to answer most or all of my questions as mentioned before. Ross explains many of the terms, phrases and Hebrew idioms that people like me can learn from. For pastors it can help in wording explanations. In Psalm 13 for example, Ross explains why it is a lament, how the text shows that the trouble is ongoing, what the significance of an asposiopesis is, and explains what 'remember' means in this context.

I have been given a copy of the book by Kregel Publications for an unbiased review. I'm afraid I sound like it's not very unbiased because the review is all so positive. The only possible negative thing I can find at this point is the typeface is a little on the large size for me. A bit smaller and the book wouldn't be so large and wouldn't have as much of a "rudimentary" look, because it's not. The quality of the paper is very good and the cover design bound to the hard cover (no need for a silly dust jacket) is very classy.

I think this commentary would be valuable for nearly anyone. I would only rule out new Christians as mentioned before because they might get lost with many of the theological terms and subjects, especially in the introduction, even though it isn't at a high academic or technical level. For those who are motivated though, I'm sure they would benefit in some way and it would be a good investment for the future.

Ross mentions that volume 3 will have a bibliography and writes about how important it is to have more than one source and emphasized that this isn't the only commentary one should own. If I can afford it, I plan on acquiring the other volumes if and when they come out, maybe by the time you read this.