Since we're spending a couple of months in the Psalms this summer, I thought I'd share with you a few resources I have found helpful in understanding and applying the psalms to daily life.  These are in no particular order:

1. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Prayerbook of the Bible.  This is a short little book (more of an essay really) mainly about ways the psalms should be used by the church today.

2. Tremper Longman, How to Read the Psalms.  Very helpful introduction to the Psalms.  There are chapters on each of the different psalm genres.  You'll even learn a little bit about the character of Hebrew poetry by reading this book.  Tremper has good exercises at the end of each chapter to help you interpret the psalms.

3. C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms. I found myself disagreeing with Lewis in small areas when reading this book.  But for big picture, and for beauty in writing, you can't beat Lewis.

4. Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.  Good book on discipleship based on the psalms of ascent (Psalms 120-134).  We used this for a small group a few years ago at North Cincinnati, and I think people got a lot out of it.

5. James Montgomery Boice, Psalms, 3 vols.  James Boice was the longtime pastor of Tenth Pres in Philadelphia.  These are his sermons on all 150 psalms.  Really solid, stuff.  Westminster Bookstore sells all 3 volumes together.

6. Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, 3 vols.  The preaching notes from the great 19th century Baptist preacher.

7. John Calvin, Commentary on Psalms, (3 vols in Calvin's Commentaries).  I always find myself coming back to Calvin.  Amazing how his work stands the test of time.

8. Gerald Wilson, Psalms, Vol. 1 (NIV Application Commentary).  I don't like all commentaries in this series, but Wilson on Psalms is very good.  Commentary on each passage is broken down into three sections: Original Meaning, Bridging Contexts, and Contemporary Significance.  This only covers Psalms 1-72 and I haven't heard of volume 2 will be out anytime soon.