Songs of the Spirit - Megan Daffern (2018)

The Psalms are a unique treasury of spiritual insights, central to both Jewish and Christian devotional life. They were also Jesus’ own prayer book, and are full of themes and experiences which fitted and illuminate his life and story, as they do ours. But they move from exquisite beauty and praise to despair and even vitriolic anger, and need wise interpretation. Megan Daffern describes them as Songs of the Spirit; timeless, making connections between past and present, and allowing us to come closer to God in prayer. She will explore some of what she has learnt from studying, translating and praying these extraordinary songs of hope, challenge and wisdom. The Revd Dr Megan Daffern is Chaplain at Jesus College Oxford and lectures in Old Testament at the University of Oxford. Her latest book is Songs of the Spirit: A Psalm a Day for Lent and Easter (SPCK 2017) which includes her own fresh translations of the Psalms. Recorded on 4 March 2018.