A Light for the Pathway: Exploring the Psalms

What did the Psalmists of Israel believe? How did they practice their religion? What impact did their faith in God have on the way they handled the struggles and uncertainties of life? How does this speak to us today? This book explores some themes which underlie the faith of the psalmists: for example, covenant, creation, law, justice, humanity, suffering, lament, restoration, and pilgrimage. Holding these together is the overarching theme of God's steadfast love throughout their history. The psalms are prayers and praises, often used in temple worship, some intimate and personal, many corporate and full of thanksgiving. Some are celebrations of the kingly rule of God over all creation. How do we Christians today approach this ancient hymn book, which is full of poetic imagination and deep spirituality? How can it help our own journeys on our pathways of faith and hope? This side of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, can we hear in the psalms words of comfort for our struggles of faith, as well as joy in our worship, in today's confusing world?

David Atkinson undertook research in organic chemistry before being ordained in the Church of England and serving as Fellow and Chaplain of Corpus Christi College Oxford. He was Canon Residentiary at Southwark Cathedral, and Archdeacon of Lewisham, becoming Bishop of Thetford in 2001. He retired in 2009. He is married to Sue and they have two children and eight grandchildren.