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I keep this small volume in my Chaplain Kit. All 150 canticles are displayed with frequent paragraphs in a size meant to be read. (Or sung!)

The Preface notes that "In the life of Christians, there can never be too many translations of the Psalter." The "unity of the chosen people's prayer guided its elaboration as well as its adoption by the Church." [Preface 7] We take this as a signed form of Unitarian Universalism.

The short Liturgical Introduction enumerates uses and issues concerning the Psalms. They are received without a discernible basis for their Order, and often the meaning and function remains unknown -- Psalm 2 and 110 for example. The Superscriptions themselves are not definitive or clear. [18]

The Intro goes on to acknowledge both a wide spectrum of "attitudes toward God" [19]. We also take as an admission the fact that Christianity attempts to usurp, wholesale, the legacy and significance of a Chosen People. This point is underlined with the curious and unlikely claim that Jesus rejoiced with these canticles. [8] Did he dance like King David?

The rejoicing and unity expressed by cited Psalm 122:1 provides nothing to suggest Christ sang of his own coming. The indulgence in overstatement is not a weakness of the Notes, but a delicious provocation. I love these Notes which cite Scriptural authority and are numerous.

Understanding the topical grouping of the Psalms can ease their usage for the synthetic functionalist. The "Alleluia" psalms largely appear in the first half. Then there are psalms of the Kingdom, which acclaim the Lord as King--47; 93; 96; 97; 98; 99; 145. Christians expressly re-read royal psalms "in a Messianic perspective". [20]

Another cluster voices love of the People for Jerusalem, known as the "canticles of Zion"--24; 46; 48; 78; 84; 87; 122.

Many songs of thanksgiving are expressed in modulations of gratitude, often mixed with complaints, repentance, and sorrow. 13; 16; 22; 23; 31; 32. Indeed, most of the Psalms are laments. Psalms 22 and 77 echo theodicies from Book of Job. Indeed, the last words of Jesus on the Cross repeat Psalm 22:1--"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"… (mer)