A Book Review - "An Exegesis of Psalms 1-41" by Dr. Thomas Strouse, Th.D.

"An Exegesis of Psalms 1-41" by Dr. Thomas Strouse, Pastor of Bible Baptist Church (BBC), Cromwell, CT and Professor Emeritus at the Bible Baptist Theological Seminary (BBTS), Cromwell, CT. The seminary operates under the authority of BBC. Dr. Strouse mentions in the Acknowledgement page that during the years 2002-2005 he wrote this commentary on BOOK 1 of the Psalter and taught the results of his study and work to the Adult Sunday School class (of a previous church). The members were instrumental in enhancing this book through their contributions via comments, observations, suggestions and corrections, including some who financially contributed towards the publication of this book.

Dr. Strouse' observations are based upon the study of the preserved Hebrew text (The Masoretic Text). While most Bible commentaries neglect the inspired headings, Dr. Strouse' work builds upon each title and provides a historical and Scriptural background for each of the Titled Psalms.

The first 16 pages offers a short introduction to the book of Psalms. He explains the names and divisions of Psalms, the authorship and date, the Titled and Untitled Psalms, the Nature of Hebrew poetry including figures of speech, literary structure, and the theology of Psalms. The rest of the book from pages 17 to 369 is an exposition of each of the 41 Psalms which composes BOOK 1 of 5 books or divisions of the Psalter. It is loaded with great information linking many of the Psalms to the life and times of David. The footnotes are copious but incisive (there are 923 footnotes). Pages 371 to 373 contains the Bibliography.

I have read other Bible commentaries in conjunction with Dr. Strouse's book (example, Vangemeren's "Psalms" - Expositor's Bible Commentary - Revised Edition; Kidner's "Psalms 1-72" - Tyndale O.T. Commentaries; Alden's "Psalms Vol. 1 Songs of Devotion" - Everyman's Bible Commentary; Sorenson's "The Book of Psalms" - Understanding the Bible series) and I have found Dr. Strouse's work to be exceptional. First, because it is Biblical in approach and substance (meaning he receives the word of God as such and avoids the ditch of textual criticism), and second because he is insightful in bringing out the content and context of each Psalm. 

Dr. Strouse's book is 373 pages of good reading.

(c) 2006, Thomas Strouse; Emmanuel Baptist Theological Press.