“Come, let us sing a Psalm, and drive away the devil.” (Luther) I have been duly urged on for a Reformation Day post for this year, so let me get this in before the day concludes! My family does make a big deal each year about Reformation Day, and I always take time at the …
In the preface to his commentary on the Psalms, Matthew Henry has a helpful & instructive section on the proper use of the Psalms. There are many gems in this excerpt (the numbering is Henry’s though I have broken the paragraphs in places and added bold & italics). All scripture, being given by inspiration of …
Throughout the history of the church, key leaders have extolled the value of the Psalms, even its unique value within the canon, typically because it summarizes the whole of scripture and teaches us to worship. Here is Luther echoing this sentiment: “The Psalter ought to be a precious and beloved book, if for no other …
Continue reading ‘Luther on the Preciousness of the Psalter’ »
Just last night my copy of The Hymns of Philip Doddridge came in the mail, and I was straightway taken in. Doddridge (1702-1751) was mentored by Watts and was a prominent Dissenting minister in England. This volume is a reprint of the posthumously published volume of Doddridge’s hymns with a brief biographical sketch added. …
Each Monday I try to post a new “Poem of the Week” on my office door and for some time I have thought I should post that poem here as well. So finally, I am doing so! This is a poem of Amy Carmichael’s which I first encountered through the writings of Elisabeth Elliot. I …
Here is the latest review from my blog on children’s books, The Children’s Hour: The Story for Little Ones: Discover the Bible in Pictures (Zonderkidz, 2011), hb. Ages 3-5 Recently I received a review copy of this book along with some other materials related to Zondervan’s The Story project, an effort to help people see …
Continue reading ‘“The Story for Little Ones” Misses the Mark’ »