Singing in the Reign: The Psalms and the Liturgy of God's Kingdom

Christians know the Psalms, sing the Psalms, and pray the Psalms more than any other book of the Bible.

Yet, even as believers have grown more devoted to individual psalms, they have lost the big picture—the single sense that unites all the psalms as one coherent book.

Michael Barber is at the forefront of an emerging movement in biblical theology. With this book, he is recovering the narrative plot that was the common heritage of Jews and Christians in the ancient world. Barber shows how King David serves as an example for the chosen people as they struggled in exile. As David was rescued by the Lord, so would Israel be restored as a kingdom for all ages.

This is the story of Christ as well, whom Barber reveals as the “new David.” And, in Christ, it is the story of every Christian. The Psalms bring us—in our reading and in our prayer—from suffering and pleading to glory, triumph, and praise.

Barber’s analysis follows upon an extensive introduction by Scott Hahn, Ph.D., detailing the historical, cultural, and theological background of the Psalter.

Michael Barber is Professor of Theology, Scripture and Catholic Thought at John Paul the Great University. He completed his Ph.D. in Theology at Fuller. He has an M. A. in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and received his B. A. in Theology and Philosophy from Azusa Pacific University. Dr. Barber is the host of ‘Reasons for Faith Live’ a radio show heard nationwide each Friday at 2pm ET on EWTN’s Radio Network. In addition to teaching at JP Catholic, he teaches classes for the Diocesan Institute of San Diego, where he helps to form the future deacons and religious educators of the Diocese. He lives in San Diego, CA with his wife Kimberly and their children.