Each one of the 13 psalms that are supplied with titles, says Johnson (Old Testament, United Theological Seminary, Ohio), refer to moments in the life of King David as recorded in the books of
Samuel, and the theme linking them is his encounter with danger. She analyzes each one, providing an intertextual reading of the title, the psalm itself, and the corresponding narrative, and
finds that the distress David suffered is intensified in order to highlight the degree of his faithfulness before God. The narratives portray him as a consummate warrior, shrewd politician,
talented musician, adulterer, and murder, she points out, but rarely reveal his private contemplations or report any gesture of contrition. She finds this purpose is served by the lyrics of the
psalms. T&T Clark is an imprint of Continuum. Annotation 穢2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
