Singing the Songs of Jesus - A Review

Book Review

Title: Singing the Songs of Jesus - Revisiting the Psalms
Author: Michael Lefebvre

Binding: Paperback

Pages: 160

Cost: $12

Review:

About two weeks ago I got a copy of this book. Even the title caught my attention. It's an easy read and is well written. Having read it I now find myself wanting more. Don't misunderstand me! There is nothing missing from Lefebvre's book. It actually has everything I could hope for in addressing how the Psalms are Jesus' and that they are meant to be sung in the Christian Church. The problem is that this book has opened my eyes to the fact that even though I've been singing the Psalms in worship for the last 4 years (and to some degree my whole life), there's so much more to them that I've missed. Here's just a short list of the more that this book, Singing the Songs of Jesus, has brought (and I expect will continue to bring) to Psalm singing in my life.

More of Christ's Kingship - In this little book, especially the latter half of chapter two and all of chapter three, I was exposed to a role of The King that I had never thought of: worship leader. Lefebvre rightly identifies the executive leaders of Israel as not just war heroes but leaders of the people into the worship of God. This isn't just for Israel, though. It is for the Christian Church. Christ is our King and as such He leads us into the worship of God the Father and He does so using His songs. As Christians sing the Psalms in worship, King Jesus sings to God the Father. King Jesus sings to His people and He leads them to sing with Him to The Father and to one another. I'd be putting it lightly to say that this is revolutionizing my understanding of corporate praise. Even this paragraph doesn't do justice Lefebvre's treatment in this little book.

More Union with Christ - Lefebvre anticipates some of the difficulties that those unfamiliar with the Psalms encounter. Among these are imprecatory, lament, and penitential Psalms. Can a Christian call for judgment on the wicked or moan about the state of the fallen world? Does Christ, who was without sin, confess His sins in penitential Psalms? Using vivid analogies and even working through tough exemplary Psalms, Lefebvre shows that the Psalms thrust us out of our comfort zone. We cannot sing them outside of having Christ lead us in singing them. They also show us the degree to which Christ identifies Himself with us as our sin-bearer.

More Meditation - In Singing the Songs of Jesus, Psalms are contrasted with non-inspired hymns as having the Spirit-inspired ability to bring the Christian worshiper to heart felt praise. Though Psalms can and do declare praise for God (as most hymns do exclusively) they have an added element which stirs the emotions of the soul. They do this by meeting the believer where they are: living in a fallen world, often suffering, wrestling with doubt, dealing with sins of others but also their own sins. The Psalms lead us to glory, but they follow the path God has prescribed. Ultimately they bring us to the meditations of Jesus. These truly are His songs.

So to wrap things up...

If you are a Christian, I recommend this book to you. It will show you how to better see Christ in your worship. It will help you to better understand the 150 Psalms of the bible. If your experience is anything like mine, it will excite you to worship God. Whether in personal devotion or as an 8 lesson group study (7 chapters + epilogue/closing), this book is well worth $12.

If you are a Psalm Singing Presbyterian, I recommend this book to you. If you feel you know everything you need to know to sing the Psalms, read this book. I truly believe there's something in here for everyone; whether a long time student of the Psalms or just a beginner. Michael Lefebvre is able to tackle deep topics but to do so in a way from which anyone with a basic understanding of the Bible can benefit.