Psalm Hymns Volumes 3 &4

     BOOK REVIEW:   Larkins offers us a quintessential western music guide to singing the Biblical Psalms!
     Dramatic poetry, uncensored human pleas during triumph and tragedy, reflect the prescribed and authorized lyrics of religious meditation for Hebrew worship and in the early Church as well. Set to singable hymn melodies, the musical education of Israel in historical Hebrew context can now be used in modern theater, liturgy, praise and worship, campfires, retreats, brain teasers, and for memorization and story-telling.
     The Psalms are an ancient approach authorized for worshiping the Almighty. The Psalm lyrics were meant to be sung.

     MY REVIEW:   L. L. Larkins has taken the Psalms and adapted them to be sung to the tune of various hymns. Psalm 73 can be sung to "In Shady Green Pastures", Psalm 85 to "Amazing Grace", and so on. A few have alternative options as well. The pages are printed in such a way as to leave ample room for margin notations and musical notes if desired (no musical notes are included, all songs are sung from memory). As far as I could find, the Psalms are not directed printed from any version of the Bible, but are instead paraphrased to keep the meaning and yet adapt to the tune. When possible, the tone of the Psalm and the writer of it are noted above the hymn title. The tempo of the suggested hymn can be adapted to lend personality, culture, and preference. The author's intention with this book is to provide unity among church members as they go back to the Psalms and classic hymns, as well as to enrich individual lives. I enjoyed reading through the book and noting the hymn choices and psalm adaptations.
     The book itself is 8.5'' x 5.5'' and softcover. The layout is simple, with a few grayscale pictures printed intermittently. It has a very uncomplicated aura with very little to distract from the words. A brief history of the Psalms is included, as well as a short note on the author.

   I received a copy of this book from BOOKCRASH and was not required to write a positive review. 

Underestimating Miss Cecilia

     This is the second book of Carolyn Miller's third series--all historical fiction. I have read her first series, and enjoyed them for a light fast read about historical times and loves. But this book really disappointed me. Sure, there is the theme of Cecilia learning to rest in God and not her heart's desires, but the whole book was just about their romance. Of course she gets the guy in the end, because that's the only way the book can end. And all her learning to trust doesn't seem necessary because she wound up getting him anyway. There was little suspense and the verdict was accurately predicted from the start. I should have seen from the cover page what I was getting into , but I was attracted to the story of a shy girl in the throws of London society.
     One thing about Cecilia that I did admire was her devotion to helping the poor. She sacrificed her time and her mother's approval to do for them what she could, and even brought Edward around to helping as well. An unfortunate incident involving a mute gypsy results in an innocent man facing the gallows, but Cecilia and Edward persist and are able to free him. But aside from this there really wasn't much to say for good about the book. The drama was cheesy, and the story uncaptivating. Had it not been a review book I doubt I would have finished it.

  I received a copy of this book from KREGEL PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review.