Known for his translations of biblical texts, alter has also written extensively on the european. A translation with commentary 2nd imp by alter, robert isbn. His learned and insightful commentary illuminates the obscurities of the text. Robert alters translation of the hebrew bible, the magnificent capstone to a lifetime of distinguished scholarly work, has won the pen center literary award for translation. May 21, 2019 the hebraic poetry it entails is incredibly concise and imaginative, and alter attempts to capture the rich lexicon of bodily images that have often been interpreted by other translators and thus distorted. Robert alter s most popular book is the art of biblical narrative. Alter brings to bear his expertise of the hebrew language, his sensitivity to hebrew poetry, his grasp of linguistics and grammar, and his breadth of knowledge of biblical manuscripts. A cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the book of psalms has been a source of solace and joy for countless readers over millennia. A translation with commentary by alter, robert and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
A translation with commentary by robert alter 560pp, ww norton. The book of psalms read march 10 to november 17 i read two versions with notes the book of psalms. He published his translation of the hebrew bible in 2018. I have been using it as a comparative study with my more favorite and familiar, grail translation. His learned and insightful commentary shines a light on the obscurities of the text. Books by robert alter author of the art of biblical.
Robert alter earned his bachelors degree in english. Alter s the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these. I will proceed from there to a selective critique of alters translation of psalm one, which together with. The book of psalms by robert alter flashcards quizlet start studying the book of psalms by robert alter. A translation with commentary norton biblical scholar robert alter faces a barrage of questions. This timeless poetry is beautifully wrought by a scholar whose translation of the five books of moses was hailed as a godsend by seamus heaney and a masterpiece by robert fagles. Introduction to robert alterthe book of psalms, a translation with commentary. Finally we have a person who knows the hebrew language and the culture of jews people and who has invested 25 years of his life in translating old testament. Robert alter s book of psalms is an exeptionally rich read into the history and life of each of the psalms. The psalms with robert alter and marilynne robinson youtube.
Robert alters the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these ancient poems. Robert bernard alter born 1935 is an american professor of hebrew and comparative literature at the university of california, berkeley, where he has taught since 1967. While his brief versebyverse commentary is not the main focus of the book, alters comments are helpful and scholarly. Robert alter, professor of hebrew and comparative literature at the university of california, has finished his masterpiece, the hebrew bible. A translation with commentary, denies the historical validity of such statements. Since he began, alter s translation has been published in segments. If they are prayers, why does he consider them poems. A translation with commentary by robert alter 20091019 by robert alter isbn. Robert alter has accomplished the monumental feat, 22 years in the making, of singlehandedly translating the hebrew bible into english. The present book consists of an extended introductory essay, a translation of the 150 psalms, and lean notes that assist the reader in modest ways to understand either the meaning of the text itself or alter s decisions concerning translation. Sep 17, 2007 for thousands of years, the psalms have been a powerful part of jewish and christian liturgy. A commentated new translation of the book of psalms seeks to preserve and convey its powerful message and musical rhythms while lending insight into the texts obscurities, in a volume by the acclaimed translator of the five books of moses. Since he began, alters translation has been published in segments. Feb 25, 2008 biblical scholar and hebrew studies professor robert alter appeared at the y in december 2007 for a reading and conversation on the psalms with marilynne robinson, author of the pulitzer prize.
A translation with commentary by robert alter, alter and r. Robert alters the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these ancient poems. The book of psalms by robert alter flashcards quizlet. Alter allows that the book of psalms consists in a collection of smaller collections, and he notes the editorial decision to conclude the book with six psalms of praise, the final one a grand orchestral climax. Overview of robert alter, the book of psalms a translation with commentary. Alterthe book of psalms, a translation with commentary1 introduction to robert alter alter is musically and poetically sensitivehe takes us back to the essence of the meaning james wood, the new yorker from the front cover. See all books authored by robert alter, including the art of biblical narrative, and genesis. Besides being a noted translator of texts of ancient peoples, like the babylonians, he is a professor of comparative literature at berkely, and a twotime recipient of the guggenheim. In this paper then i will summarize often in the authors own words and briefly comment on this informative introduction 2007. Robert alter has 56 books on goodreads with 25516 ratings. Best books of the year and winner of the robert kirsch award for lifetime achievement. Alters the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of. Robert alter s new translation of the book of psalms beautifully illustrates how people respond when their lives are changed, changed utterly. Attridge 2006, 117 pages within paperback i am the wrong reader for the psalms.
Oct 19, 2009 a cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the book of psalms has been a source of solace and joy for countless readers over millennia. Jun 27, 2017 robert alter s the book of psalms excels them all in both content and commentary. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. He effectively summarizes his earlier work on biblical poetry and describes the difficulties of translating psalms. A translation with a commentary is a literary masterpiece. One of newsweeks best books of the year and winner of the robert kirsch award for lifetime achievement. Robert alters translation of the hebrew bible, the magnificent capstone to a lifetime of distinguished scholarly work, has won the pen center literary award for. A translation with commentary by robert alter 2007, 548 page paperback the harpercollins study bible. Robert alter, a professor of hebrew and comparative literature at the university of california berkeley, has published a new translation of the psalms, the book of psalms. T here is no biblical book that has affected the inner lives of readers and worshippers over the ages more profoundly than the book of psalms. As an example, take a look at alters translation of one of the bestknown psalms, psalm 23. New revised standard version, general editor harold w. Scholar and translator robert alter is the author of more than 20 books of criticism, translation, and commentary.
And work to compose tonight before midnight a sunday psalm 3. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. A translation with commentary 9780393337044 by alter, robert and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Robert alter s the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these ancient poems. A translation with commentary by robert alter 2007, 548 page paperback. Retuning the psalms by robert alter articles first things. Later jewish tradition made this the first in a sequence of psalms chanted as a prelude to the fridayevening prayer for welcoming the sabbath, evidently because the sabbath was seen as a celebration of creation. While his brief versebyverse commentary is not the main focus of the book, alter s comments are helpful and scholarly. I picked up the three volume set recently and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
A translation with commentary by robert alter 2007, 548 page paperback the harpercollins. Alters the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable. Robert alter is a widely acclaimed literary scholar. The psalter translated from the hebrew by the international commission on english in the liturgy.
He earned his ba from columbia university and phd from harvard university. Robert alter has written a number of outstanding translations and commentaries on the hebrew bible. Robert alters hebrew bible translation is at once accurate. Robert alter s the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these ancient poems. Alter 2009, paperback at the best online prices at ebay.
The book of psalms quotes by robert alter goodreads. A translation with commentary by robert alter isbn. A translation with commentary ebook written by robert alter. Jun 11, 2019 robert alter has accomplished the monumental feat, 22 years in the making, of singlehandedly translating the hebrew bible into english.
In translation, they contain some of the most memorable lines ever written in english. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the book of psalms. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of psalms. Robert alter, the book of psalms robert alter s recent commentary on the psalms provides a fresh translation and an accessible introduction to the psalms for the nonspecialist. Robert alters the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of. Robert alter s translation of the hebrew bible, the magnificent capstone to a lifetime of distinguished scholarly work, has won the pen center literary award for translation. He regards the claims as editorial interpolations attempting to link. Robert alter offers a translation of the hebrew scriptures in a way that captures the intended poetry like no other modern translation. The book of psalms by robert alter books the guardian. Robert alter has done a great job in translating the hebrew bible. Author robert alter, a professor of hebrew at berkeley, has expertly translated each of the 150 psalms from hebrew into english and then offered a detailed commentary on eachalmost, but not quiteverse by verse. Pdf introduction to robert alterthe book of psalms, a translation with commentary ernst wendland academia. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
The book of psalms by robert alter, 9780393337044, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Known for his translations of biblical texts, alter has also written extensively on the european novel, contemporary american fiction, and modern hebrew literature. His immense achievements in scholarship ranging from the eighteenthcentury european novel to contemporary hebrew and american literature earned alter. Augustines understanding of the meaning of his own experience, for example, would not have the focus it does without his reading of the vulgates translation of psalms, and the poetry of george. Alters the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these ancient poems. Biblical scholar and hebrew studies professor robert alter appeared at the y in december 2007 for a reading and conversation on the. Now that he has completed the magisterial project, it is available in its entirety as a threevolume set. This book is actually by robert alter, who has retranslated the hebrew bible from classical hebrew to modern english. A translation with commentary kindle edition by alter, robert.
Robert alter books list of books by author robert alter. The book of psalms by robert alter overdrive rakuten. The book of psalms a cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the book of psalms has been a source of solace and joy for countless readers over millennia. Known for his translations of biblical texts, alter has also written extensively on the european novel. Jan 24, 2008 the latest is a handsome edition, complete with the requisite red ribbon, by robert alter, and it has arrived accompanied by a joyful noise, widely acclaimed in the press as the psalms for our time.
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