On Robert Alter's The Book of Psalms

Pastor and author Russell Moore routinely invites listeners to send him their desert island book list (or music list), a collection of one dozen books (or songs) that one would want to have with them if they were stranded on a desert island.  Robert Alter's commentary and translation, The Book of Psalms, would be on my desert island book list.

Hebrew scholar Robert Alter has carefully translated the entire Old Testament into English, with copious notes that provide commentary and insight into the text the important language of Biblical Hebrew. I was first drawn to Alter when good friend Tim Hall got me to read Alter's commentary on Genesis. Since then, I've looked for opportunities to pick up some of Alter's books, especially as I begin a study of an Old Testament passage. 

Alter's books have an introduction that explores the historical context of the passages and the challenges of translating Hebrew into modern English, attempting to carry both the accurate meaning of the text and its emotional, poetical impact. This is especially interesting with the psalms, which come to us as a collection, some overlapping others, some with discrepancies in the ancient manuscripts, all intended to convey emotion, human passion and anxiety.

The book is 558 pages, of which 514 pages are devoted to the translation and commentary. I especially enjoy the format -- I can read through the text (Alter's translation) and then return to read through his notes on the various verses, sometimes on the Hebrew words, sometimes on the general structure and goal of the poem. Alter's translation is both careful and beautiful, and it forces me to read the text with new eyes. And if, somehow, I read the text mindlessly, Alter's notes force me to return to the text, seeing the various phrasings and Hebrew words as part of a greater whole.  Although Alter is not a Christian, nor, I think, a religious Jew, his love for the Hebrew scripture is exciting and uplifting. I don't know if he worships as he translates the text, but his words lead me to do so.