Part of the new Handbooks for Old Testament Exegesis series, Mark D. Futato’s Interpreting the Psalms fills an important place on the shelf of the serious Bible student. Explaining and building on foundational principles, Futato takes the reader beyond a simplistic explanation of Hebrew poetry. He incorporates the results of current scholarship as he helps the reader unfold the meaning of the Psalms.

Futato’s interpretation of the Psalms is non-traditional, but valuable. He presents and defends his position that the primary purpose of the Psalms is instruction, not worship. The first two psalms form an introduction to the book. Psalm 1 presents the main purpose: the way of blessing (contrasted against the ungodly way) hinges on the Law (torah) of God. Psalm 2 sums up the main message: the Lord is king!

Building on this foundation, Futato lists and describes some of the overarching themes of Psalms and provides thematic categories for contextual interpretation. His emphasis on interpreting the Psalms in context covers all levels: historical, book, category and whole-Bible. Throughout this handbook, Futato repeatedly teaches contextual interpretation.

The book ends with an example: Futato practices what he teaches. The final chapter is an excellent exposition of the 29th psalm. Throughout the book, but in this chapter especially, I gleaned not only principles and concepts but also many insightful exegetical details.

I found Interpreting the Psalms to be very helpful and instructional. However, I recommend it with a few cautions. Mythopoeic language is an recurring topic in this book. Futato points out similarities between phrases used in Psalms and phrases used in other ancient Near East literature. In the last chapter, he allows that Psalm 29 may be a re-written song to Ba’al. Though suggestions like that are common in scholarship today, I’m a bit edgy around such claims. I’m certain that the Lord is greater than Ba’al and any other eastern deity, but I’m not convinced that David would take a pagan hymn and change the name at the top to “Yahweh.” My other dislike is his choice of English versions. Over 90% of the passages printed in this book are quoted from the NIV or NLT.

Beyond those disclaimers, I enjoyed and benefited from Interpreting the Psalms. In my opinion, it would make an excellent textboook for a seminary class on the Psalms or a valuable resource for a pastor in the ministry.