It was with great anticipation that I read Rabbi Hayyim Angel’s latest commentary, “Psalms: A Companion Volume” (Kodesh Press, 2022). Like so many of his other books on biblical text, Rabbi Angel’s ...

Editor’s note: This article was first published in the Aug. 2, 1997, issue of America, titled “Praying the Psalms: Some Notes.” For some years I have been keeping rather extensive reading notebooks.

A surprising psalm changed my view on God’s presence during seasons of trial. In this Close Reading series, biblical scholars reflect on a passage in their area of expertise that has been formational ...