The Book of Psalms has a long and illustrious use in the history of the Church. The Book of Psalms was regularly used as the hymnal of the Church. In fact, today, some Reformed and Presbyterian churches only use the Book of Psalms for that reason. The Book of Psalms is not only known as the “worship manual” of the Bible, but is often read for other reasons such as helping people to deal in healthy ways with their emotions and to find comfort in the midst of difficulty. This is why when I saw the new book The Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life (Psalm 1-12) by Dr. Dale Ralph Davis I was excited to dig in and learn more about the first twelve chapters of the Psalms.
In the opening pages of Psalms we discover the foundational truth for right living. It is as children of God that we can learn to delight in our Father. Dr, Davis, a highly regarded biblical scholar and writer, helpfully guides his readers through Psalm 1-12 with clear and pointed application to our daily life.
The Psalmist begins with the most essential truth for mankind – to belong to belong to the congregation of the righteous. It is in the Word of God that the author explains that the righteous man finds his direction for living. The delight of the righteous is in the law, the teachings of the Lord God. All those who belong to Him are to mediate on His Word. The Psalms are a treasure trove for such a godly and holy pursuit.
In the middle of the twelve Psalms, we see basic principles unfold with great clarity. Much like our own troubles today, the Psalmist endured wickedness all around, a world hostile to the true God and on a very personal level—deceit and persecution from his enemies. Readers of this book will be pointed toward the glorious rule of the Messiah, to whom the whole world belongs. In light of this, we are prepared to face all kinds of troubles that otherwise cause despair. The righteous rely on God, and the Psalms teach God’s people how.
Davis poignant insight into the original language of the text, guides readers to deeper levels of understanding. Verse-by-verse exposition crystallizes the author’s message, and the cross-references show the passages in the broader biblical context. Illustrations from history and from the author’s personal experiences help paint the truth in living color, demonstrating the relevancy of the text across cultures and throughout time. This is an ideal resource for small groups, as a teaching guide, and for personal study.
Whether you’ve studied the Psalms or not, The Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life has something for you. This excellent book will help you to understand the first twelve chapters of the Book of Psalms in an easy to read and digest way. I highly recommend this look at the first twelve chapters of Psalms. I believe you’ll find it relevant to your daily life and helpful for you navigating the various challenges that life throws at us every day. This is an ideal resource for small groups, as a teaching guide, and for personal study. Whether you’re using this book for sermon preparation or for personal study, Dr. Davis’ helpful exposition of the first twelve chapters of Psalm will be a blessing to you and enrich your reading of the Psalms as they have for me.
Buy the book at Amazon, WTS Books, or from Christian Focus.
Title: The Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life Psalm 1-12
Author: Dale Ralph Davis
Publisher: Christian Focus
I received this book for free from Christian Focus for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
