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Byron Snapp

PSAlMS OF PROWSE:
ExPLORING THE MAjEsIY
AND F AlTIfFULNESS OF GoD
Book Review
Psalms ofPromise: ExploringThe
Majesty andFaithfulness of God by
E. Calvin Beisner. Naupress 1988,
282pp. $10.00. Available to Counsel
of Chalcedon readers directly from
the author when you mention this
anicle for $ 7.50 plus $1.00 postage
and handling. WriteE. CalvinBeisner
Rt. 1 Box 285 Pea Ridge, Ark. 7275l.
The author gives 18 Psalms a
deeper meaning as he explores with
the reader how the covenant is
interwoven in each. The study of the
covenant points the reader time and
again to the Christ of the covenant.
Thus the reader comes away with a
deeper sense of God's rnaj esty and
faithfulness.
Beisner carefully chooses the
Psalms and arranges them in such an
order that the reader is taken from
creation cPs. 104) to the coming of
God'kingdominitsfullness(Ps.145).
Along the way we learn of the God of
the Covenant CPs. 74), Repentance
cPs. 51), and the imponance of God'
sovereignty.
Written by a PCA elder this book
is great for the layman. Mr. Beisner
brings to his work sound theology
and conveys that theology to his
readers in a clear, cogent, illusrrative
style that leaves the reader well-
rewarded with each page read. The
author has a real gift in providing an
excellent outline for each psalm and
then taking the reader through the
psalm, section by section.
Mr. Beisner does not fail to tackle
the most difficult psalms-the
imprecatory psalms. In a chapter
entitled "Curses on Covenant
Breakers" based on Psalm 109 he
exploresthiswholesubject. Healways
keeps God's honor in the center of the
discussion. DiscussingPs. I09:21 he
writes:
''In this verse, too, we find the
motive behind the whole psalm:
'Deal...with me for your name's sake.'
It is the honor and glory of God's
name that concerns David more than
anything. That and not personal
vengeance is the motive for David's
cursing prayer against his enemies.
That men should deal treacherously
with anyone is a gross injustice that
dishonors God: but that they should
deal so with God's anointed king,
who God personally set over His
chosen people, is a greater affront. So
both in praying for his enemies'
punishment and in praying for his
own deliverance C which he roots not
in anything good in himselfbut solely
in the goodness of God's love (v.21)
David prays for God to be honored."
(p.169). The author goes on to exam-
ine imprecatory prayers in the New
Testament. He closes the chapter by
offering keen insights and guidelines
for imprecatory prayer today.
I would like to have seen a psalrn
centered on the family (such as Ps.
127 or Ps. 128) included in his
selections since the theme is the
covenant. Yet families can gain much
insight from his penetrating study of
other psalms. Foomotesareincluded
at the end of each chapter, not a the
bottom of each page.
We hear very little of the covenant
and its outworking in daily life. This
bookpointsusnotonlytothecovenant
but to the god of the covenant. It
needs to be read by church officers
and laymen alike. Beisner's study
shows the author's respect for both
the Old Testament and the New
Testament. We find the unity of
Scripture undergirded. Finally his
work shows that sound theology is
foundational toobedientliving. Many
believe theology is cold, dull materiaL
Thus they dwell only on anecdotes
and practical advice. Others bury
deep into theology and leave thereader
with no practical advice. Beisner
presents sound theologyina refreshing
manner. He has clearly done
background studies and linguistic
analysis of key words. Yet the reader
isnottakenintothetheologicalkitchen
where this study has been prepared.
Instead Beisner allows the reader to
feast on the finished product. The
reader comes away from each psalm
with much food for thought and a
renewed understandingofhowtolive
before our covenant God . .Q
December, 1991 $ 1HE COUNSEL of Chalcedon 7

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