This book is based on the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). Each chapter focuses on one of these psalms and an aspect of the Christian life to which it speaks. (Except for the first chapter, based on Jeremiah 12:5.) The topics are: Discipleship, Repentance, Providence, Worship, Service, Help, Security, Joy, Work, Happiness, Perseverance, Hope, Humility, Obedience, Community, Blessing.

Overall, I quite liked this book. I loved Peterson's emphasis that the Christian life is not based on our emotions and feelings about God or ourselves.

In the chapter on worship, he states, "We think that if we don't feel something there can be no authenticity in doing it. But the wisdom of God says something different: that we can act ourselves into a new way of feeling much quicker than we can feel ourselves into a new way of acting. Worship is an act that develops feelings for God, not a feeling for God that is expressed in an act of worship." (p. 54)

I also liked this bit in the chapter about repentance: "A person has to be thoroughly disgusted with the way things are to find the motivation to set out on the Christian way. As long as we think the next election might eliminate crime and establish justice or another scientific breakthrough might save the environment or another pay raise might push us over the edge of anxiety into a life of tranquility, we are not likely to risk the arduous uncertainties of the life of faith. A person has to get fed up with the ways of the world before he, before she, acquires an appetite for the world of grace." (p. 25)

Peterson's thoughts often seemed abstract and big-picture, rather than practical steps to be taken, so while it was a good and helpful read, it requires more thought for those of us who aren't very intuitive.

One thing I wasn't crazy about was the use of The Message paraphrase instead of an actual Scripture translation.

Sometimes I felt there was a lack of continuity tying the chapters together, and I'm not sure if that's because each chapter is based on a different psalm and aspect of the Christian life, or because I read through this slowly. I think that I'll benefit from reading through it again, more quickly. ( )

Perhaps inevitably I found some chapters of this book more helpful and comprehensible than others. However, Peterson's anecdotes are always real and down to earth, and an extra star for his quoting from my favourite author, Anthony Trollope. ( )

Commentary on Songs of Ascent. Practical thoughts on how we live lives in the midst of a fallen world. ( )

Commentary on Songs of Ascent. Practical thoughts on how we live lives in the midst of a fallen world. ( )

Highly Recommended. ( )