Psalms for Contemplation
Invitation to an Intimate Reading
of Selections from 36 Psalms
Invitation to an Intimate Reading
of Selections from 36 Psalms
Translations by Max D. Ticktin
Introduction by Deborah McCants and Ruth Ticktin, Editors
Video Introduction
Praise
Max wants the reader to meet the psalms, to see the human being who is its author. Max reads the Psalms, tries to understand the inner meaning of the text, and then attempts to have the person who will read his “renderings” fully engage the human emotions behind the text. In this, Max is the consummate teacher, always conscious of what the student may be bringing to the page, and how difficult it is for students to master the biblical world view. Max is telling them, “The Bible is a work of human understanding. Seen in the right light, you will find that its concerns are the same as the workings of your own soul.”
Rabbi Edward Feld
Fortunately for the present group of translations, Rabbi Max Ticktin was both a great scholar of Jewish literature and a pursuer of peace, one who confronted challenging imagery in beloved texts and explored the layers of nuance in the Psalms’ lines – and in the ways they have been used. He also favored a democratic approach to translation, not shying away from using the translations of other scholars in his teaching, and incorporating later works of literature that drew on imagery and words from the original Psalms.
Lauren B. Strauss, PhD.
Max wants the reader to meet the psalms, to see the human being who is its author. Max reads the Psalms, tries to understand the inner meaning of the text, and then attempts to have the person who will read his “renderings” fully engage the human emotions behind the text. In this, Max is the consummate teacher, always conscious of what the student may be bringing to the page, and how difficult it is for students to master the biblical world view. Max is telling them, “The Bible is a work of human understanding. Seen in the right light, you will find that its concerns are the same as the workings of your own soul.”
Rabbi Edward Feld
Fortunately for the present group of translations, Rabbi Max Ticktin was both a great scholar of Jewish literature and a pursuer of peace, one who confronted challenging imagery in beloved texts and explored the layers of nuance in the Psalms’ lines – and in the ways they have been used. He also favored a democratic approach to translation, not shying away from using the translations of other scholars in his teaching, and incorporating later works of literature that drew on imagery and words from the original Psalms.
Lauren B. Strauss, PhD.
From the Introduction:
“Although the plagues of today may differ from those of the Psalmists’ days, Max suggests that while considering the historical use, we continue to sing the Psalms on the steps of our personal temples, in our own exile, or on our life pilgrimages.”
Thank you to:
Ruven Afanador for cover photograph; Rabbi Edward Feld for preface;
Dr. Lauren B. Strauss for review; Solomon McCants for back cover portrait.
From Psalm 77 verses 3-7
In troubled times I sought the Eternal. At night, my hand was outstretched
unceasingly. All of me refused to be eased.
I but bring Adonai to mind, and I groan. I muse and my spirit is enveloped.
You had a tight hold on my eyelids. I lay pulsating without words
I counted out the days of old. Considering the years long ago
I had my night-time song in my heart. I muse and my spirit goes exploring
Hillel director at University of Wisconsin, University of Chicago, and assistant national
director in Washington, DC. In his 2nd over thirty-year career, Max taught Hebrew literature
and humanities at George Washington University.
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72 Page Poetry Collection
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