Psalm 49 and the Path to Redemption

In Psalm 49 and the Path to Redemption Janet Smith revisits her PhD dissertation Dust or Dew: Immortality in the Ancient Near East and in Psalm 49 reconfiguring the book for a general audience and expanding it to focus on a theme of biblical redemption. The new work takes the reader through the development of Israels belief in an afterlife both the positive hope but also the negative fate of those who are spiritually impoverished. Beyond that Psalm 49 takes the reader into the mind and heart of the sages and priests who wrote many of the psalms. There we find how much we share with them emotionally and spiritually. Since Christianity is a movement with roots in the Old Testament the reader is introduced to some important redemption concepts as expressed by Jesus Christ. Finally the book reviews a few modern near-death experiences to ask if the Scriptures regarding afterlife have relevance today. This book is thought provoking and should cause anyone reading it to think about their own personal path to redemption. Psalm 49 reminds us there are no pockets in a shroud; in death the rich and the poor are equally impoverished. Janet Smith takes us on a pilgrimage from death to life in the ancient world and in todays spirituality. Informative. Interesting. Compelling. --Ted Peters Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary the Graduate Theological Union This book should appeal to people who wish to go deeper into the Bible. Focusing primarily on the Psalms Dr. Smith traces various concepts of life after death from its dim beginnings in ancient times up to the present day. Psalm 49 is her central motif: the faithful may rest easy both here and in the grave because the God of life will never forsake those who trust him not their wealth. --David G. Mullen Lutheran pastor retired bishop of the ELCA Throughout the work Smiths convictions shine through. This presentation proclaims that insights she gained from interpreting the ancient texts are relevant for today because they reflect the reality of a living God. Rooted in sound scholarship well written and persuasively argued the work will be of benefit to serious Christian pastors and laity alike. --D. William Faupel Wesley Theological Seminary Retired Janet K. Smith has a PhD in Hebrew Bible from Union Institute & University. She is a former illustrator and geologic draftsperson and presently teaches Old Testament classes in her Lutheran Church. She is author of Dust or Dew: Immortality in the Ancient Near East and in Psalm 49 (Pickwick 2011).