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 well­rewarded 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 exam­ine 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