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Introduction

We are living in troubled times. Terror and disasters have shocked Germany and the world. But we needn’t to despair when we think of tomorrow. Therefore not because God lives.

These experiences haven’t only made the authors of the psalms in the bible, but countless humans experienced comfort and hope for their lives through the psalms. Yes, that is true, I’m not alone but in God’s hand.

I know many people who can’t do anything with the bible, but who in spite of that love and honor the psalms. Here people “like you and me” talk, cry, shout, sue, pray and despair, of themselves, of their life situations, of God. That is no smart talk from the pulpit, but here in many texts it is about pure survival.

I myself loved the psalms all my life. I cried and hoped with the authors of the psalms – and they with me. They gave me words when my voice was chocked by tears, they let me believe, when I was in despair of God.

The psalms are not political correct or conform to society, but come directly from the heart of the praying man. They frankly say and mean it so: “Pest and Cholera”, “death and doom” for the enemies, for the powerful and godless. That is pre-Christian, pre-humanistic, archaic.

Let’s face it, mostly we push it aside, are too good socialized and well-mannered, but in our darkest hours we forget that we are Christians, we forget “make peace without weapons” and “love your next”. Then we become wild and uncivilized.

There is a lot in us, what slumbers under our blank polished surface. It still breaks in the Psalms through the surface of the language. When it became too violent for me, I weakened it.

I translated the psalms, which you can find here by myself. In doing so, I was more interested in my own experiences of faith, which influenced my translation of the psalms, than in textual accuracy. I interpreted the psalms that way that everybody can pray them. God opens his arms for every human, who comes in his distress to him – no matter if Skeptic, Jew, Muslim or Christian.

Let yourself be touched by the psalms. I would be glad, if they could help you right then to talk to God, when your life circumstances have made you speechless.

God bless you, my friends!

Yours Volker

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