Whether you grew up in temple, or church, or the church of rock-and-roll or reggae, you know the Bible’s Book of Psalms. “By the rivers of Babylon.” “Sing a new song.” “Out of the mouths of babes.” “The valley of the shadow of death.”
The Psalms are the song and poetry of the Bible. Poetry of joy and sorrow and consolation that has burst out of the realm of faith to flow through the entire culture.
Now, the great scholar and literary translator Robert Alter brings a new version that goes back to the Psalms’ oldest Hebrew roots.
Up next, On Point: from the King James version to the roots of the Psalms.
Guests:
Robert Alter, professor of Hebrew and comparative literature at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of “The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary.”
Rosalie Toubes, cantor at Temple Sinai in Brookline, Massachusetts.
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Tags: Christianity, history, religion
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