Psalms

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-trainingStrong recommendation
Bible Book: Psalms
Publisher: Banner of Truth
Theological Perspective: Reformed
Resource Type: Commentary
Last updated: February 5, 2026
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Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.3/10

A deeply pastoral guide to the Psalms that helps us preach prayer, suffering, and praise with realism and hope.

Publication Date(s): 1985
Pages: 1064
ISBN: 9780851514819
Faithfulness to the Text: 8.6/10
We find close attention to the words and movement of each psalm, with a clear desire to follow the text rather than our mood.
Christ Centredness: 8.1/10
The Psalms are handled as the prayers of God’s people, and the fuller fulfilment in Christ is respected without being forced.
Depth of Insight: 8.7/10
We are helped by spiritual realism and thoughtful observations that support preaching with depth and honesty.
Clarity of Writing: 7.9/10
An older style and a long work, but the meaning is usually clear and the purpose is consistently pastoral.
Pastoral Usefulness: 9/10
Strong for the care of souls, shaping prayer, and preaching that addresses both heart and mind.
Readability: 7.6/10
Best read in portions, but it is accessible and spiritually rich for steady use.

Summary

At a Glance

Length
1064 pages
Type
Expository (Mid-Level)
Theo. Perspective
Reformed
Overall score
8.3 / 10
Strength
Rich spiritual application grounded in close reading of the Psalms.
Limitation
Less focused on modern scholarly questions and technical linguistic detail.

We find Dickson’s Psalms a substantial pastoral companion for reading and preaching the church’s songbook. He is attentive to the voice of the psalm, the shape of its prayer, and the way the believer learns to speak honestly before the Lord.

This commentary often feels like guided meditation. It is not hurried, and it does not treat the Psalms as vague inspiration. Instead, it helps us see how lament, praise, confession, and hope are formed by truth about God and His covenant faithfulness.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this commentary because it gives us language for the inner life of faith. When our preaching on the Psalms becomes thin or overly general, Dickson helps us recover spiritual depth, and he keeps us anchored to what the text actually says.

We also benefit from his practical wisdom. He helps us apply the Psalms in a way that is realistic about suffering, temptation, and spiritual weariness, while still calling us to trust, worship, and perseverance.

For pastors, it can nourish our own souls as we prepare to feed others, which often leads to preaching that is more tender and more true.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend this as a strong resource for those preaching the Psalms and for those who want to deepen their prayerful reading of Scripture. It is large and best used steadily, but it rewards that pace with rich pastoral help.

As pastoral next steps, we can visit the Bible Book Overview, browse Top Recommendations, and use the Reformed Commentary Index to build a wiser working library.


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Classification

  • Level: Mid-level
  • Best For: Busy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-training
  • Priority: Strong recommendation

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Reviewed by

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