Treasuring the Psalms

Ian J. Vaillancourt

Reviewed by: Larry E. Wilson

Treasuring the Psalms by Ian J. Vaillancourt. IVP Academic, 2023. Paperback, 240 pages, $28.00. Reviewed by OP minister Larry E. Wilson.

In Treasuring the Psalms, Ian J. Vaillancourt encourages readers to use the book of Psalms as a valuable treasure. “This book was not written with the goal of giving readers all the answers; it was written with the goal of equipping them to dig deeply in the bottomless gold (or treasure!) mine of the Psalms on their own” (213). Dr. Vaillancourt, an associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Heritage Theological Seminary in Cambridge, Ontario, makes this book accessible to all, regardless of Hebrew knowledge or academic background. For those with deeper interest, he offers extensive footnotes and online appendices. The book is written clearly and offers discussion questions at the end of each chapter.

Vaillancourt begins by emphasizing the significance of two key terms in the Psalms: YHWH (God’s covenant name) and hesed (God’s loyal covenant love). He also highlights three critical insights: the Psalms as a book of praises (Tehillim), as a microcosm of the entire Bible (Martin Luther), and as an “anatomy of all the parts of the soul” (John Calvin). The body of the book is then structured around three main sections that guide readers in how to read the Psalms (1) canonically, (2) christologically, and (3) personally/corporately.

The first section proves to be especially enlightening. Vaillancourt underscores the importance of not only the Spirit-inspired superscriptions but also the Spirit-inspired placement of each psalm within the five books of the Psalter. This approach thrillingly unveils the messianic character of the entire Psalter, challenging the common belief that only a handful of psalms are “messianic.” The second section reinforces this as it explains how to read each psalm in terms of its fulfillment in Christ. In the third, Vaillancourt guides believers on how to appropriate the psalms as their own in Christ. He illustrates this with sample psalms of lament, thanksgiving, and praise.

Treasuring the Psalms could be strengthened in some areas. Are some of his terms possibly confusing (e.g., “direct application”)? Does he overstress the discontinuity between the old and new covenants at points (e.g., his treatment of the imprecatory psalms)? Does he under-stress the devotion to and prayers for Zion (the church) that permeate the Psalter? Still, his explanation of what he means by his terms is clear. His discussion of the Psalms is overall helpful and gospel saturated. He makes so many good points.

There’s a growing and valuable conversation about why and how to read/pray/sing the Psalms Christianly. Vaillancourt’s book serves as a very helpful contribution.