This exceptional book explores our understanding of the Psalter as a book of prayer in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It focuses in original and helpful ways on the genre of Lament as a text medium through which personal distress can be engaged with and processed in the action of prayer, and explores some of the psychodynamic shifts which can occur for people praying in this way, providing some actual case examples of the process at work. The author provides a thorough examination of the lament genre found in the Psalter from a theological perspective and also offers a practical working model which could be incorporated into work with people who are suffering from distress in a variety of forms.

The book begins by exploring a number of signposts in psalms' scholarship which alert us to the value of psalms as a form of prayer. The particular focus is lament psalms, and their potential as a form of prayer for people engaging with distressing experiences in life. What follows, is a discussion of lament as a process and the areas of potential change for someone who uses these psalms for prayer. The final section of the book includes stories of several people who prayed some of these psalms over a period of time. It explores their responses and reflections in an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of praying psalms such as these. The book culminates with a chapter which invites the reader to pray some psalms of distress themselves with notes suggesting an appropriate ritual to follow and some ideas for further exploration. 'David J. Cohen's book, Why, O Lord?, provides a wonderful, comprehensive view of the psalms of lament. It is an encouragement to all Christian traditions to look with fresh eyes on the psalms as prayer, and particularly the psalms of lament, as our suffering, and the suffering of many in our world, needs the language to cry out to God in times of darkness. The psalms express every human emotion and use a strong confidence that we can cry out to God, and that God will hear our suffering, and that transformation is possible. Bringing the psalms of lament into ritual, so aptly described by Cohen, brings a new dimension to worship, both personal and communal. This book is an excellent academic and pastoral addition to our knowledge of the psalms.' Angela McCarthy, lecturer in Theology at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, Australia: National President of the Australian Academy of Liturgy

Synopsis: Baptists worldwide recently celebrated 400 years of history and witness. This volume is a collection of papers presented at the "Beyond 400" conference held in Perth, Western Australia, as part of these celebrations. Contributors have written from a broad range of perspectives reflecting biblically and theologically on the thinking and practice of Baptists in the past and present. These reflections form a basis for exploring how Baptists can function more effectively in our contemporary world situation and imagine themselves in the future. Chapters range from providing historical perspectives to biblical and theological reflections on issues that have been critical to Baptist belief and ministry. They examine the core values that, historically, have distinguished Baptists within the broader context of the church and explore how these values might both underpin and play out in Baptist churches today. Contributions reflect a firm belief among both the presenters and attendees at the "Beyond 400" conference that Baptists not only have a future but also offer a necessary voice to our world. This voice is firmly based on the issues that first precipitated the Baptist movement some 400 years ago, and the continuing relevance of these issues as they are reimagined for our contemporary situation. Endorsements: "This is a surprisingly rich feast of papers exploring the relevance and place of ecclesiological convictions and traditions in a post-denominational era. The lead articles by Nigel Wright and Martin Sutherland help the reader feel part of the original conference that birthed this publication. Supplemented by a rich array of supporting articles, the final product is timely and thought provoking-even prophetic." --Brian Harris Principal, Vose Seminary, Perth, Australia "This book stretched my thinking and articulates future directions for Baptists around the world. As a Baptist denominational leader, I appreciate its position that a denomination is not a church but rather a resource and service provider enabling local churches to fulfill their mission." --Mark Wilson Director of Ministries, Baptist Churches Western Australia Editorial Biography: David Cohen is Head of Biblical Studies and Lecturer in Hebrew Bible, at Vose Seminary, Perth, Western Australia. He has written about the relevance of lament Psalms for worship and pastoral care in Text and Task: Scripture and Mission (2005) and, together with Michael Parsons, edited On Eagles' Wings: An Exploration of Strength in the Midst of Weakness (Wipf & Stock, 2008). Michael Parsons, formally Director of Postgraduate Research at Vose Seminary, is now Associate Research Fellow at Spurgeon's College, London. He is the author of Luther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives (2004), Reformation Marriage (2005), Calvin's Preaching on the Prophet Micah (2006), and Martin Luther's Interpretation of the Royal Psalms (2009), and editor of Text and Task: Scripture and Mission (2005).