Pastor Tim Smith

The past two weeks, we had a great time together digging into the book of Psalms and specifically Psalms 1 and 73. There are many godly men that have helped me to see the Psalms more clearly through their writing and here is a list of some of my top recommendations. I hope this can be helpful in your own investigation of this wonderful and unique book. What’s even better is that there is not a single book on this list over $20 and most are under $12. My late Christmas present to you…

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor, writer and theologian in the time of WWII. I highly recommend his Prayerbook of the Bible. This little book was where I first got a glimpse of Jesus in the Psalms. I also recommend his great book on Christian community, Life Together.

Martin Luther
Luther wrote more on the Psalms than any other book of the Bible and much of his work is centered on seeing Jesus clearly in every page. Unfortunately, though he is long dead and gone, the Lutherans keep pretty tight control on his work and it is not widely available online. However, there is a great devotional book called Reading the Psalms with Luther that can serve as a daily Psalms reader as well as an introduction to Luther’s work on the Psalms. The Psalm texts are even in ESV. Good Stuff.

Charles H. Spurgeon
Spurgeon needs no introduction for many of us. He was one of the greatest preachers who has ever lived. What some may not realize is how much the Psalms played a part in his life. His largest single written work was called the Treasury of David and addressed each Psalm in great depth and insight. Best of all is that you can find this entire work, along with most of his other sermons and books, online for free. If you prefer to have an actual book in your hands, Crossway Publishing has a condensed version as a part of their Crossway Classic Commentary series Volume 1 & Volume 2.

Derek Kidner
I don’t know a lot about Kidner but my worship pastor friend, Bob Kauflin, recommended this little two volume commentary and sent it to me–it has proven to be a great resource.  Kidner’s Psalms Volume 1 and Volume 2 is one of the most concise and helpful commentaries I have found on the Psalms.  It looks like Amazon is out of stock and expecting a new edition at the end of the month but it will be worth the wait.

Mark Futato
Futato is the professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He has written a number of more scholarly works but he has a great little book called Transformed by Praise that has served me well as an introduction to the overarching themes as well as a very insightful and accessible introduction to Hebrew poetry.

Martin Lloyd-Jones
Last but definitely not least, Dr. Lloyd-Jones was another very influential preacher and writer from England.  His expository sermons have sold millions over the years and influenced countless preachers. He wrote a small but very dense book called Faith on Trial on Psalm 73 and it has been very helpful in my study.