Becoming the Psalms: A Spirituality of Singing and Praying the Psalms

by Kathleen Harmon SNDdeN

Overview

Cantors throughout the United States and elsewhere have long known Kathleen Harmon, SNDdeN, as a reliable teacher and mentor in how they understand and practice their important ministry. In Becoming the Psalms, she explores the spirituality of the psalms, a spirituality that shaped God’s people in the past, forms the church today, and leads us into the future. Each chapter offers cantors who pray and sing the psalms a better understanding of the role of the psalms in shaping faith. 

Kathleen Harmon is known as the author of Music Notes, a popular column in the journal Liturgical Ministry. Becoming the Psalms showcases some of her finest entries as well as new material exploring the relationship between praying the psalms privately and praying them liturgically, as well as the function of the responsorial psalm as proclamation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814648841
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	06/22/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	104
File size:	345 KB

About the Author

Kathleen Harmon, SNDdeN, is a noted liturgical theologian and musician, author and composer, presenter and teacher. She holds a graduate degree in music and a doctorate in theology.

 

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

Part I The Psalms, the Story of Salvation 1

1 The Story by the Psalms 3

2 From the Beginning to the End: Walking the Way toward Praise of God 7

Part II The Psalms Shape Faith 13

3 The Psalms Interpreted Israel's Story 15

4 The Psalms Transformed Israel's Faith 26

5 The Psalms as Dialogue between YOU and I 36

6 The Psalms as the Prayer of Jesus 46

Part III The Psalms Challenge Faith 57

7 Dealing with Disconcerting Texts 59

8 Persisting in Prayer when Gold Is Silent 67

9 When the Psalms Make Us Say Things We Don't Want to Say (or Maybe Do, but Don't Want to Admit It) 73

Part IV Becoming the Psalms, Living the Spirituality 83

Scripture Index 92

Editorial Reviews

In this lucid, accessible book, Kathleen Harmon describes the deep and lasting value of praying the Psalms in Christian worship. She describes the formative power of the Psalms to strengthen the life of faith and to sharpen our perception of God and God's love for the world. This book promises to inspire those beginning their journey with the Psalms, as well as to spark renewed vitality for life-long worshipers.
John D. Witvliet, Director, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Professor of Worship, Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary

EBOOK COMMENTARY

Kathleen Harmon has written an accessible guide to the Psalms and their value and use for a life of faith. She is informed about current scholarship and effectively draws such work toward a Christ-centered spirituality.
Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary


In this lucid, accessible book, Kathleen Harmon describes the deep and lasting value of praying the Psalms in Christian worship. She describes the formative power of the Psalms to strengthen the life of faith and to sharpen our perception of God and God's love for the world. This book promises to inspire those beginning their journey with the Psalms, as well as to spark renewed vitality for life-long worshipers.
John D. Witvliet, Director, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Professor of Worship, Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary


Kathleen Harmon has given us a look at the psalms that is simultaneously inspiring and informative. She shows us from several perspectives how the psalms shape who we are, both individually and communally, and we are led to realize how we need both lament and praise. Her book makes us want to steep ourselves in the spirituality of these prayer-poems and truly "become the psalms." The last chapter alone makes the book worth having.
Irene Nowell, OSB, Adjunct Professor of Theology, St. John's University School of Theology


In Becoming the Psalms, Kathleen Harmon, SNDdeN, artfully combines solid scriptural scholarship about the psalter with a theological-liturgical grounding, and pragmatic insight drawn from years of experience as a teacher and singing liturgical minister. The book delves deeply into the psalter in a number of ways, though always through a language that will be accessible to most readers. She is to be congratulated for taking on texts from the psalter that may be difficult for those who have to proclaim or hear them; for addressing the need to keep praying even when God seems silent; and for concluding with our need to live out these rich, ancient texts daily, as disciples. This volume will be a first-rate addition to the bookshelf of anyone involved in liturgical music ministry, scripture study, preaching, or spirituality.
Alan J. Hommerding, Senior Liturgy Publications Editor, World Library Publications


Becoming the Psalms: A Spirituality of Singing and Praying the Psalms is a worthy book, and because of its small size, one which will be easily accessible to a variety of groups. It is to be commended to all who seek to grow their appreciation of the biblical Psalter, and the many ways it can enrich our lives of prayer both individually and as the Church.
Jonathan Hehn, OSL, is a Presby-Lutheran musician and liturgist currently serving Good Shepherd Lutheran and Saint Leo University in Tampa Florida

From the Publisher