Psalms 1-72 (Kidner Classic Commentaries)

I learned a lot in the introduction, and then there were tons of great insights through this volume on each psalm 1 - 72, where Book 2 ends. I really appreciated his diligent research on the various ways difficult passages were translated. He was honest on how some phrases are hard to understand in the original Hebrew, what with the way the vowels and consonants can make one word have different meanings. Several times he admitted some confusion was caused by sloppy copiers, something that I have long wondered in other passages of Scripture. He also confirmed that some psalms seem to have been split into two psalms, which is something that I had surmised. Great read! Now on to Vol. 2.

Kidner has a gift for concise expression. Nearly every sentence is lucid and elegant. His insights and observations are both meaningful and practical, with many references to other passages in scripture that lead to further insights . This commentary is useful as a personal devotional tool and for prompting discussions for group Bible study. It can be said with truth that this book is almost indispensable for anyone interested in a better understanding of the Psalter and who seeks to apply its practical truths.

Kidner is the soul of wit. So brief sometimes that I wish he would be more verbose. But his commentary is such a classic and so insightful that I am encouraged to be more concise myself. Outstanding in every way.

I loved these old Tyndale Bible Commentaries and bought a bunch second-hand. I had the second book on the Psalms but did not have this book and so bought it. I am currently reading it as part of my not-quite-daily Bible reading. It seems like the author was quite a well informed Bible scholar. I am a convert to the Catholic church and have not yet run in to anything in the book which would offend those of the Catholic faith. I have started to collect the books in the Tyndale commentary series as well as the books in the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture series which only does the New Testament. I find that commentaries like this one are very helpful in understanding my Bible readings at a higher level.

I have found these commentaries easy to read, helpful, and encouraging.

This does not read like a book and provides commentary on a select verse(s) but it seemed spot on. I am enjoying my studies alongside the MacArthur commentary.

Absolutely love this resource. Readable and thorough. A must-have for all serious students of the book.

Awesome commentary on the Psalms with great cross references and great details on the background of the texts.

Another excellent study book on the Psalms and I would recommend it for others who want to do some serious study. There is great word study as well as outlines, the list goes on. This book will be my constant companion for some time yet.

see my review on volume 2 of Kidner on Psalms

I bought this in order to prepare for a series of sermons on the Psalms and it came highly recommended. I did find it helpful and it has a secure place on my shelves, but I would only say that his approach often focusses on the specific themes and phrases of each Psalm that interest him and expound those, rather than working through the whole Psalm in an even, verse by verse way. To be honest, for general study and preparation I would commend Michael Wilcock's two volumes in 'The Message Speaks Today' series, and use Kidner as a back-up reference book. They divide the Psalms into the same two sections (1-72 and 73-150) so there is an exact comparison. Is Kidner worth having and reading? Absolutely. Might you need something else as well to guide you? Possibly.