Sep 23, 2020 robert alter, the book of psalms, a translation with commentary, w. Attridge 2006, 117 pages within paperback i am the wrong reader for the psalms. Ww norton, 2007 1 in the following overview, i survey the book s introduction and then give a sample of alter s translation of a pair of familiar psalms, 1 and 23, along with a selection of his helpful comments on the text andor his rendition of it in english. These translations were accompanied by a lucid commentary, which was.
Robert alters the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these ancient poems. It has been most plausibly linked by both medieval and modern commentaries with a root that indicate. A translation with commentary by robert alter hardcover mint condition item specifics isbn10. There is no biblical book that has affected the inner lives of readers and. In 2018, robert alterprofessor of hebrew and comparative. Jun 11, 2019 robert alter has accomplished the monumental feat, 22 years in the making, of singlehandedly translating the hebrew bible into english. Oct 30, 2009 a cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the book of psalms has been a source of solace and joy for countless readers over millennia. Apr 26, 20 this essay discusses how robert alter enters into the scholarly debate of analyzing the book of psalms and places it in its historical context.
His influence stems primarily from two remarkable books, the art of biblical narrative and the art of biblical poetry published by basic books in 1983 and 1987 respectively. A translation with commentary by robert alter by alexandra glynn, song translator in minnesota, u. Known for his translations of biblical texts, alter has also written extensively on the european. About the author robert alteris a widely acclaimed literary scholar. Ive read other single translations of the book of psalms.
A translation with commentary by robert alter 2007, 548 page paperback the harpercollins. In the first of these alter took up close reading of scriptural. Scholar and translator robert alter is the author of more than 20 books of criticism, translation, and commentary. Alter is musically and poetically sensitive he takes us back to the essence of the meaningjames wood, the new yorker from the front cover. Robert alters hebrew bible translation is at once accurate. Book of psalms robert alter hardcover books online. The book of psalms a translation with commentary by. Alter s the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these ancient poems. Augustines understanding of the meaning of his own experience. A translation with commentary by robert alter 2007, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay.
Alter and robert alter 2009, trade paperback at the best online prices at ebay. The book of psalms by robert alter free delivery at eden. Though not reckoned as a scripture scholar in any conventional sense, robert alter has affected the study of the hebrew bible in immense ways. He earned his ba from columbia university and phd from harvard university. Professor alter, finally, writes commentary, and so he regards the book he is. Bible verses from the book of psalms to help us turn from despair, and to look to god in hope and trust.
Retuning the psalms by robert alter articles first things. Robert alters translation of the hebrew bible is the bestand arguably the. A brilliant new translation and commentary of one of the bible s most cherished and powerful books. While his brief versebyverse commentary is not the main focus of the book, alter s comments are helpful and scholarly. The wisdom books translated by robert alter with commentaries is quite a relief for anyone interested in 1 ancient literature, 2 biblical writings, or 3 philosophy to live by. The commentaries give insight into the original authors techniques and cosmology helping us appreciate the genius of teh insights and presentation of the writings. His learned and insightful commentary illuminates the obscurities of the text. According to many researchers it was ezra, the priest and scribe, himself who completed the final collection of the psalms ezra 3.
The speaker, beset by mocking enemies who say he is beyond hope. At the recent nsts research symposium september 19, 2014 held in new york city, the wellknown hebrew scholar and translator, robert alter, 2 presented a keynote paper entitled. Robert alter s the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these ancient poems. The complete psalms by pamela greenberg, psalms for praying by nan merrill, the psalms in other words by dom hubert van zeller, a book of psalms by stephen mitchell. Alter appears to be interested in demonstrating that the wider ancient anthropological context is paramount to understanding the original meaning of these hymns. This timeless poetry is beautifully wrought by a scholar whose translation of the five books of moses was hailed as a godsend by seamus heaney and a masterpiece by robert. Every psalm is treated with precision of the hebrew text. A translation with commentary ebook written by robert alter. New revised standard version, general editor harold w. A translation with commentary 2nd imp by alter, robert isbn. We can see what alter is after by comparing his translation of th. The book of psalms a cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the book of psalms has been a source of solace and joy for countless readers over millennia. Robert alters hebrew bible translation is at once accurate and.
This timeless poetry is beautifully wrought by a scholar whose translation of the five books of moses was hailed as a godsend by seamus heaney and a. After the psalms are 5 more great bible verses on hope to encourage and strengthen us. By the time of the publication of the revised commentary in the rebc, i gained a clearer vision of the shaping of the book of psalms and had benefited from the more recent studies by robert alter the art of biblical poetry, 1985 and of adele berlin the dynamics of biblical parallelism, 1985. Philip larkins little poem days offers a sarcastic commentary on the idea. Robert alters landmark work sheds fresh light on old testament. Like the five books of moses a cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the book of psalms has been a source of solace and joy for countless readers over millennia. Reading robert alters magisterial the hebrew bible. Since he began, alter s translation has been published in segments. A brilliant new translation and commentary of one of the bibles most cherished and powerful books. A translation with commentary 20, the book of psalms 2007. Sep 17, 2007 robert alter, a professor of hebrew and comparative literature at the university of california berkeley, has published a new translation of the psalms, the book of psalms. Now that he has completed the magisterial project, it is available in its entirety as a threevolume set.
Citation on award presented to robert alter on january 4, 20. Calvins commentary on the psalms, anew translation of which is now in. One of newsweeks best books of the year and winner of the robert kirsch award for lifetime achievement a cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the book of psalms has been a source of solace and joy for countless readers over millennia. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Robert alter s the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these ancient poems. While his brief versebyverse commentary is not the main focus of the book, alters comments are helpful and scholarly. A translation with commentary by robert alter 560pp, ww norton.
Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Here nefesh lifebreath shows a secondary meaning the throat or gullet through. This timeless poetry is beautifully wrought by a scholar whose translation of the five books of moses was hailed as a godsend by seamus heaney and a masterpiece by robert fagles. In the book of psalms, psalm 92 saturday morning, week ii is identified as a song. A translation with commentary by robert alter 2007, hardcover at the best online prices at. Author robert alter, a professor of hebrew at berkeley, has expertly translated each of the 150 psalms from hebrew into english and then offered a detailed commentary on eachalmost, but not quiteverse by verse. Oct 19, 2009 robert alters the book of psalms excels them all in both content and commentary. This essay discusses how robert alter enters into the scholarly debate of analyzing the book of psalms and places it in its historical context. Buy the book of psalms by robert alter in paperback format at koorong 9780393337044. A translation with commentary by robert alter online at alibris.
This struggle between faith and doubt, hope and despair. One of newsweek s best books of the year and winner of the robert kirsch award for lifetime achievement. Author robert alter, a professor of hebrew at berkeley, has expertly translated each of the 150 psalms from hebrew into english and then offered a detailed. This book is actually by robert alter, who has retranslated the hebrew bible from classical hebrew to modern english. A translation with commentary by robert alter hardcover mint book of psalms. The book of psalms read march 10 to november 17 i read two versions with notes the book of psalms. Robert alters translation of the hebrew bible nyu computer science. The book of psalms is the first and main book of the third part of the hebrew bible, of the writings hebr. A translation with a commentary is a literary masterpiece. Robert alter offers a translation of the hebrew scriptures in a way that captures the intended poetry like no other modern translation. A cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the book of psalms has been a source of solace and joy for countless readers over millennia.
Like the five books of moses a cornerstone of the scriptural. Robert alters new translation, the book of psalms norton. A translation with commentary 9780393337044 by alter, robert and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. I hope to have alter guide me on this odyssey again and again. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the book of psalms. The book of psalms by robert alter books the guardian.
A translation with commentary by robert alter 2007, 548 page paperback the harpercollins study bible. Pdf introduction to robert alterthe book of psalms, a. His learned and insightful commentary shines a light on the obscurities of the text. I used to love belting them out in the chapel several times a. The book of psalms a translation with commentary by robert alter. I particularly recommend the poetical books of psalms, job, and song of songs. Alter brings to bear his expertise of the hebrew language, his sensitivity to hebrew poetry, his grasp of linguistics and grammar, and his breadth of knowledge of biblical manuscripts. Psalms 7 clearly refers to the babylonian captivity. Buy the book of psalms by robert alter in hardback format at koorong 9780393062267. Robert alter s the book of psalms excels them all in both content and commentary. Besides being a noted translator of texts of ancient peoples, like the babylonians, he is a professor of comparative literature at berkely, and a twotime recipient of the guggenheim. In the first of these alter took up close reading of.
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