He regards the claims as editorial interpolations attempting to link. He effectively summarizes his earlier work on biblical poetry and describes the difficulties of translating psalms. 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. 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. A translation with commentary by robert alter 2007, 548 page paperback. Jun 27, 2017 robert alter s the book of psalms excels them all in both content and commentary. A translation with commentary by robert alter 2007, 548 page paperback the harpercollins study bible. A translation with commentary 2nd imp by alter, robert isbn.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Robert alter, professor of hebrew and comparative literature at the university of california, has finished his masterpiece, the hebrew bible. Robert alter offers a translation of the hebrew scriptures in a way that captures the intended poetry like no other modern translation. 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.
Biblical scholar and hebrew studies professor robert alter appeared at the y in december 2007 for a reading and conversation on the. 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. Alters the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Robert alter has done a great job in translating the hebrew bible. 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. The book of psalms quotes by robert alter goodreads. The book of psalms read march 10 to november 17 i read two versions with notes the book of psalms. 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.
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. The book of psalms by robert alter flashcards quizlet start studying the book of psalms by robert alter. His learned and insightful commentary illuminates the obscurities of the text. 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. I will proceed from there to a selective critique of alters translation of psalm one, which together with.
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. Known for his translations of biblical texts, alter has also written extensively on the european. A translation with commentary kindle edition by alter, robert. I have been using it as a comparative study with my more favorite and familiar, grail translation. Retuning the psalms by robert alter articles first things.
Now that he has completed the magisterial project, it is available in its entirety as a threevolume set. A translation with commentary by robert alter 560pp, ww norton. He published his translation of the hebrew bible in 2018. The psalter translated from the hebrew by the international commission on english in the liturgy. 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. A translation with commentary by robert alter isbn. As an example, take a look at alters translation of one of the bestknown psalms, psalm 23. Robert alter s new translation of the book of psalms beautifully illustrates how people respond when their lives are changed, changed utterly. The book of psalms by robert alter, 9780393337044, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Robert alter s book of psalms is an exeptionally rich read into the history and life of each of the psalms. While his brief versebyverse commentary is not the main focus of the book, alters comments are helpful and scholarly. 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, paperback by alter, robert, isbn 0393337049, isbn 9780393337044, brand new, free shipping in the us 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.
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 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. One of newsweeks best books of the year and winner of the robert kirsch award for lifetime achievement. 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. New revised standard version, general editor harold w. A complete, oneman translation of the old testament, twenty years in the making. I picked up the three volume set recently and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. A translation with commentary ebook written by robert alter. 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.
Robert alter is a widely acclaimed literary scholar. A translation with commentary by alter, robert and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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. Robert alter earned his bachelors degree in english. This book is actually by robert alter, who has retranslated the hebrew bible from classical hebrew to modern english. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Best books of the year and winner of the robert kirsch award for lifetime achievement.
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. See all books authored by robert alter, including the art of biblical narrative, and genesis. Known for his translations of biblical texts, alter has also written extensively on the european novel. The book of psalms by robert alter flashcards quizlet. Known for his translations of biblical texts, alter has also written extensively on the european novel, contemporary american fiction, and modern hebrew literature. Robert alter s most popular book is the art of biblical narrative. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of psalms. Introduction to robert alterthe book of psalms, a translation with commentary. 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. 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. 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. The book of psalms by robert alter overdrive rakuten. Robert alter books list of books by author robert alter.
Pdf introduction to robert alterthe book of psalms, a translation with commentary ernst wendland academia. A translation with commentary by robert alter 2007, 548 page paperback the harpercollins. Attridge 2006, 117 pages within paperback i am the wrong reader for the psalms. A translation with commentary by robert alter, alter and r. The book of psalms by robert alter books the guardian. His learned and insightful commentary shines a light on the obscurities of the text. 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. His immense achievements in scholarship ranging from the eighteenthcentury european novel to contemporary hebrew and american literature earned alter. 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. 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 alter, robert on amazon. 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. A translation with a commentary is a literary masterpiece. Since he began, alters translation has been published in segments.
May 09, 2009 robert alters recent commentary on the psalms provides a fresh translation and an accessible introduction to the psalms for the nonspecialist. In this paper then i will summarize often in the authors own words and briefly comment on this informative introduction 2007. Since he began, alter s translation has been published in segments. Robert alter has accomplished the monumental feat, 22 years in the making, of singlehandedly translating the hebrew bible into english. If they are prayers, why does he consider them poems. A translation with commentary norton biblical scholar robert alter faces a barrage of questions. Sep 17, 2007 for thousands of years, the psalms have been a powerful part of jewish and christian liturgy. Robert alter has written a number of outstanding translations and commentaries on the hebrew bible.
Alters the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable. 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. The psalms with robert alter and marilynne robinson youtube. A translation with commentary 9780393337044 by alter, robert and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. 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. 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. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. 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. 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 alters hebrew bible translation is at once accurate.
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. 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. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the book of psalms. While his brief versebyverse commentary is not the main focus of the book, alter s comments are helpful and scholarly. A translation with commentary, denies the historical validity of such statements. Alter 2009, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. 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. Overview of robert alter, the book of psalms a translation with commentary. Books by robert alter author of the art of biblical. Robert alter has 56 books on goodreads with 25516 ratings. 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. Robert alters the book of psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of. Pdf introduction to robert alterthe book of psalms, a.
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