This is the first of a two-volume bible commentary covering the Psalms and examining the role of these biblical poems throughout Jewish and Christian history. * Provides a fascinating introduction to the literary, historical, and theological background of psalmody * Examines the psalms through liturgy and prayer, study and preaching, translation and imitation, and musical composition and artistic illustration * Includes illustrations of significant psalms, helpful maps, and an extensive bibliography; an expanded bibliography to accompany the book is also available at www.blackwellpublishing.com/pdf/9780631218555.pdf* A forthcoming second volume is planned, which will take an alternative psalm-by-psalm approach * Published in the innovative reception-history series, Blackwell Bible Commentaries