Psalms has often been thought of as a book of praise, but it also contains mourning, bewilderment, and confusion. In fact, the amount of “negative psalms” outnumbers the psalms of praise. Futato shows us the difference between the negative aspects and the psalms of praise and that praise is part of the concluding phrase in the book. Not only that, but praise is large part of the negative psalms. 

To think of oneself as a fool is not something that most people want to do and reading Schwab’s book on Proverbs gives the reader a greater understanding of its content. Schwab makes the point that no fool would seek out God’s wisdom, and by persisting in the reading of Proverbs, we are reminded that even though we can behave unwise in certain points in our lives, by keeping the thoughts and ideas in Proverbs in the forefront of our minds that we can grow in wisdom and knowledge. 

Key Features 

• Introductions to the historical and cultural context, the literary style, and the major themes and theological concerns 
• Exegetical and textual notes 
• Commentary pays special attention to context and major theological themes 

Recommendations 

An enormously helpful series for the layperson and pastor alike because it centers on the theological message of each book and ties it directly to the text. This approach has been needed for some time and will be an invaluable supplement to other commentary series. 

—Grant Osborne 

A treasure house of insight into the biblical text. Written by some of the best scholars working today, it is an essential tool for pastors, students, church leaders, and lay people who want to understand the text and how it relates to our lives today. Like the NLT text it uses as its base, this commentary series is extremely readable. 

—Tremper Longman III 

About the Authors  

Mark D. Futato, Ph.D., The Catholic University of America, is Robert L. Maclellan Professor of Old Testament and academic dean at Reformed Theological Seminary in Florida. He is the author of several books and articles, including Beginning Biblical Hebrew and Interpreting the Psalms: An Exegetical Handbook. He has also contributed to The Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible and The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis. Dr. Futato is an ordained minister and served on the translation team for the book of Psalms in the New Living Translation. 

George M. Schwabb, Sr., Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary, is associate professor of Old Testament at Erskine Theological Seminary in South Carolina. He is ordained in the Second Presbytery of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Evangelical Theological Society. He has authored numerous scholarly publications, including Hope in the Midst of a Hostile World: The Gospel According to Daniel. He served as a reviewer for Psalms and the wisdom books for the New Century Version. 

Series Introduction 

The Cornerstone Biblical Commentary series provides students, pastors, and laypeople with up-to-date, accessible evangelical scholarship on the Old and New Testaments. Presenting the message of each passage, as well as an overview of other issues relevant to the text, each volume equips pastors and Christian leaders with exegetical and theological knowledge so they can better understand and apply God's Word. This volume includes the entire NLT text of Psalms and Proverbs. 

Other features: Provides pastors, teachers, and students with up-to-date evangelical scholarship. Both exegetical and translation commentary. Part of an 18-volume collection. Features New Living Translation Text.