The Psalms appeal to the Jewish and Christian communities in their appeals for mercy, expressions of hope and devotion, and honest admissions of fear and doubt. Attridge (New Testament) and Fassler (sacred music) of Yale Divinity School and their contributors offer 25 perspectives on how the Psalms affect scholarship and expressions of faith in both communities, including biblical studies, liturgical studies, musicology, art history, theology, and literature. Topics include the Psalms in ancient Israel, their influence on the formation of Judaism and Christianity, their applications in medieval and early modern contexts, and textual traditions. They also offer case studies of contemporary practice, and examples of their uses in current preaching and poetry. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)