Martin Luther on the Psalms

In case you don’t know, Psalms was one of Martin Luther’s favorite books of the Bible …. possibly because he was a musician.  I gave my husband a copy of The New International Commentary on the Book of Psalms for his birthday.  The preface included this quote by Martin Luther:

” (the Psalter) …. might well be called a little Bible.  In it is comprehended most beautifully and briefly everything that is in the entire Bible.  It is a really fine enchiridion or handbook.  In fact, I have a notion that the Holy Spirit wanted to take the trouble himself to compile a short Bible and book of examples of all Christendom or all saints, so that anyone who could not read the whole Bible would have anyway almost an entire summary of it, comprised in one little book.”

It is comforting to me to think that as I age and become less able to read and comprehend some portions of the Scripture, I will still have the Psalms — short bursts of insight and emotion to pray and meditate with every day.

For more quotes from Martin Luther on the Psalms, refer to these previous posts:

Martin Luther and the Book of Psalms

Martin Luther Quote on the Psalms #2