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Lewis writes here about the difficulties he has met or the joys he has gained in reading the Psalms. He points out that the Psalms are poems, intended to be sung, not doctrinal treatises or sermons. Proceeding with his characteristic grace, he guides readers through both the form and the meaning of these beloved passages in the Bible.
Excellent and Worthy Reflections
| Customer Rating:  | | In this intriguing book, C.S. Lewis explains the general themes of the songs (and the particulars of some psalms) in ways that examine a variety of important issues for the lay reader. Included in this easily readable analysis is an examination of the type of Judge God is portrayed at in the Psalms, the way in which the Psalms have to be judged as poetry (and not as essays or sermons, something easy to forget), the contrast between the psalms of Israel and the psalms of the pagans, the allegorical meanings of the Psalms, and such issues as the imprecatory nature of some psalms. Overall, this is an excellent work, a worthy read among C.S. Lewis' stellar body of work, and especially useful for readers of the Psalms who are not theologians. The only criticism I would make of the work is that he assumes his audience is Anglican, which makes some of his references puzzling for those of us who are not (his use of Whit Sunday for Pentecost and his use of the Anglican psalm cycle is a bit distracting). |
Reflections on the Psalms, Lewis
| Customer Rating: | | Interesting to read Lewis' journey through some of the more difficult Psalms. Definitely written after his conversion to Christianity. |
Inspiring & Thought provoking
| Customer Rating: | | C.S. Lewis' thoughts on the Psalms are, like the rest of his writing, very carefully thought out. He finds nuggets of wisdom in places most commentators overlook. Over all, a very enjoyable & thought provoking work. |
Lewis' hidden gem
| Customer Rating: | In most, if not all, of Lewis' non-fiction works, he, at some point, refers and appeals to "real theologians", perhaps, in an attempt to distinguish the framework of his opinions, thoughts, and understanding from individuals that have been formally educated in theology. While Lewis certainly appeared to dedicate a great deal of his time to theology, he continually reminded readers that he was not a formally educated theologian, nor did he consider himself an expert. In Reflections on the Psalms, however, it can be recognized that his authoritative disclaimer is a little more direct, adamant, and deliberate than that which might be considered typical within his work. Having been written towards the end of his life and career, it almost appears as if Lewis is pleading with the reader to remove any preconceived perception of higher authority on the matter that he might maintain in one's mind. That is, it seems as if Lewis' purpose was genuinely that of sharing thoughts and resulting conclusions that he, as a layperson, had found himself reflecting upon. He goes so far as to compare this work with schoolmates sharing and comparing notes in an effort to better comprehend how a problem is worked out, as opposed to appealing to an instructor who might only offer a solution without ever actually explaining the intricacies of how a particular difficulty is overcome. Lewis claims that this work might be beneficial to the unlearned reader because he, considering himself equally unlearned in comparison to some, had only recently met these particular difficulties and, therefore, could still remember what it was like to not understand, in contrast to the expert that has known the answer for so long that they have forgotten the difficulty altogether. While the authoritative disclaimer might be more persuasive in this work, after reading it throughout, it will likely be difficult for many readers to swallow the reality of their own understanding if Lewis is, as he claims to be, lacking in comparative understanding on the theological spectrum of knowledge.
Reflections on the Psalms, as is the case so often with this author, is an enlightening undertaking for those that have experience similar thoughts and struggles as those outlined within. This work is not the comprehensive study on the Psalms that the title might indicate but rather Lewis' actual reflections on the Psalms. Not attempting to compose a comprehensive study, Lewis has selected topics based on his own interests and approaches them systematically, beginning with those topics which he found most difficult and less pleasant to contemplate and progresses upon those foundations. That which one might find most enjoyable about this particular work is that it is not apologetic and, as such, Lewis replaces what might otherwise be argument with fluid, acute, contemplation. In this fashion, Lewis, almost casually, sheds brilliant light on some of the most difficult issues that might arise in a Christian's mind.
Surprisingly, this, one of Lewis' lesser known works, might be one of his very best. What might be considered more surprising by the unsuspecting reader is the depth of truth and understanding woven into what, if literally judged by its cover, could be interpreted as a comparatively shallow study on the Psalms. Some, like this reviewer, might have had their interest directed after reading the essay published in Christian Reflections that anticipates this work, but very little comparison should be made. Reflections on the Psalms is exactly what it is in content, not necessarily in title. This work should be recommended, at least for consideration's sake, to any Christian.
"A man can't be always defending the truth; there must be a time to feed on it." - C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms
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Meditative but also literary contemplation of the Psalms
| Customer Rating:  | This was a lovely book: not what I thought it'd be and all the better for it. Lewis's clear and reassuring insights into Christianity here combine with his adroit literary criticism, making this one of his most "formal" books--this is true despite his typical disclaimers about its seriousness or depth at the beginning. It is not so much a set of "postcard" or fortune cookie reflections, as might be found in various mediation books, as a thoughtful pondering of the Psalms' formal characteristics.
Beginning with the elements and characteristics of the Psalms that he finds most troublesome--"to polish off the nasty things first and leaves the titbits for the end"--Lewis looks at themes and recurring subjects without ever forgetting that the Psalms are poems, and Jewish poems at that. He weaves historical contextualization and a keen understanding of poetics into his frankly Christian assessment. For my money, the late chapters in the book on "Second Meanings" and "Scripture" are worth the price of the book. Lewis is very helpful on "reading too much" into scripture, and on appreciating the subtleties of scriptural interpretation generally.
It ends raggedly and abruptly, and there were plenty of things I wish Lewis had discussed more fully. But so excellent and helpful was the book that what I really wish is that he had done this kind of examination with more books of the Bible. Lewis had such a remarkable gift for articulating the common misgivings and doubts of believers, and for finding memorable and plausible ways of answering them.
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