Psalms 73-150 (Kidner Classic Commentaries)

I finished Vol 1 a few months ago, and now Vol 2. Simply loved the easy to understand devotional style of this author, who did such detailed work on the original translations of some intricate phrases in the complicated understanding of the Hebrew writing. I learned so much, and really loved these two volumes!

You can read my full review here: wp [.] me/p3JhRp-RNDerek Kidner was a brilliant British Old Testament scholar. He taught at Oak Hill Theological College before becoming Warden of Tyndale House. He wrote many commentaries in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary (TOTC) series and The Bible Speaks Today (BST) series. He has written volumes on the books of Genesis, Ezra–Nehemiah, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Jeremiah, and Hosea.At just over 240 pages this serves as a nice, thick completion to his commentaries on the Psalms. Each Psalm is given between 3-6 pages. Kidner doesn’t treat the Psalms as just words on a page. They are life.For example, in Ps 113, who is like the Lord? No one. “It is here that God’s glory most sharply differs from man’s: a glory that is equally at home ‘above the heavens’ (4) and at the side of one forlorn person” (437). God’s glory is seen in “giving the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother” (v9).Kidner doesn’t allow himself to fall into the mire of despair, that swamp of gritty details and mindless facts. He is brief and crisp. He takes conservative views on the Psalms. Discussions about the Hebrew text are usually placed in the footnotes.You’ll have to look elsewhere if you want in-depth word studies, structure of the psalm(s), literary analysis, reading the Psalms as a canonical unit, or opposing views. Although some will want to look for other commentaries on the Psalms, not everyone wants all of the extra analyses. These volumes are especially helpful for the pastor, the student, and as a morning devotional (with some extra details).Kidner’s volume works best if you have both volumes. Volume 1 has the Introduction and exegesis of Books I and II. Volume 2 continues on the page number where Vol 1 left off (so Vol 2 starts on page 285). So a reference back to “page 12” means page 12 in Vol 1. There is no Bibliography in Vol 2, so I assume its in Vol 1. Nevertheless, you really ought to own both.Thanks to IVP Academic for the book!

I have found these commentaries easy to read, helpful, and encouraging.

It is pretty good for a brief look at each of the Psalms. It will be unsatisfactory for anyone looking for a commentary to speak to the poetic structure, the grammar, or the Hebrew. But if you just want a concise explanation of each Psalm - this is worth a look.

This does not read like a book and provides commentary on a select verse(s) but it seemed spot on. I am enjoying my studies alongside the MacArthur commentary.

Loving this so far, but you may need the first volume as well, even if you only want the commentary on a Psalm included in this one. This is due to the fact that he references the introduction often, which is found only in the first volume.

This product was exactly what I needed. The shipping was fast the customer service was great. I will definitely be back.

Loved this commentary!! Learned many things. I will definitely reference this in the future!!

Kidner's death a couple of years ago removed in my view the finest contemporary conservative old testament commentator. His two volumes on the psalms are much better than the successor volumes in the same series. Dr Jim Packer once classified commentaries on a scale. The top grade was SS which he explained was 'sell your shirt to get this'.Kidner's commentaries all are worth discarding your shirts for.

This is an excellent study book on the Psalms, written by an excellent author. I know that these books will be my companion for many monthsto come.