This is a substantial introduction to the poetry and the Psalms of the Old Testament. In comparison with other volumes in this series, a larger proportion of space is devoted to the quotation of examples from the Bible. More than other volumes that introduce Hebrew (and Aramaic) poetry of the Bible, this one includes three chapters on poetry outside the Psalter, provides a good explanation of metre, and discusses questions about the unity and use of the book of Psalms. Missing from the volume are a comparison with Ugaritic poetry and a study of some important theological issues raised by the Psalms, for example, the interpretation of the imprecatory Psalms and of those with a Messianic theme. The volume is up-to-date, covers all the substantial areas of Psalm study and, given its clear style, should find wide use among those seeking an introduction to the subject.

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