Psalm-Shaped Prayerfulness

A School of Prayer—From the Foreword by Wilfred J. Harrington, OP

For people who treasure the psalms and yet are often quite mystified by them, help is at hand. Weaving together her expertise in Scripture and liturgy, Margaret Daly-Denton accompanies the reader through a profitable and enjoyable learning experience. From the Psalter as a collection of ancient Israelite religious poetry to the New Testament portrayal of Jesus as pray-er of the psalms, Daly-Denton guides readers through the centuries-long process of reinterpretation that is ongoing as psalms sung in worship shape the everyday prayerfulness of Christians. Throughout this book, suggestions for further reading and contemplation point the reader toward self-directed learning.

Written in an accessible and friendly style, Psalm-Shaped Prayerfulness is intended for newcomers to biblical studies, people training for ministry, church musicians, members of parish liturgy teams, and anyone with an interest in the scriptural roots of Christian spirituality.

Margaret Daly-Denton's early career was as an organist and composer with an academic and practical involvement in liturgy. Her Alleluia, Amen: Music for the Liturgy, (1-978) was a seminal resource, and her music for the Liturgy of the Hours is sung in monasteries worldwide. She served extensively on ICEL (International Committee on English in the Liturgy). More recently, her doctoral research at Trinity College Dublin on the early Christian reception of the psalms, was published as David in the Fourth Gospel (2000). She has taught Bible and liturgy at various institutions in Ireland.