Latest Publication: Sermons on the Psalms

Just before Christmas, our latest publication, Sermons on the Psalms, arrived from the publisher. Together with my colleagues from the Centre for Bible Engagement of Seminari Theoloji Malaysia - Dr Peter Lau, and Dr Elaine Goh, we jointly edited this volume as our special publication celebrating the 40th anniversary of the seminary. STM was founded on the Feast of Epiphany, Jan 6, 1979. 

The Story Behind the Book

The idea for this book was initially birthed when the faculty members contemplated a special publication celebrating the 40th anniversary. It was quickly decided that we should put together our sermons on Psalms preached at our Thursday community chapel based on Lectionary Reading during the First Semester of 2018. 

Psalms are often neglected in the teaching and preaching of the Malaysian Church. Yet Psalms offer rich reflections on our journey of faith. Drawing from personal experience, the psalmists express a whole range of emotions - from joy to lament, from praise to weeping, and from exultation to sorrow. Because of this, Psalms help us to pray and to relate to God more honestly and intimately. They also express clearly who God is, what he is like, and what he has done.

The Selection of Psalms 

The psalms in this book were selected and arranged based on the Psalms reading in the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) for Year B, 2018. In particular, the psalms selected were preached at STM by faculty members in the weeks of first
semester from January to May 2018. Some of the psalms were preached in English while others in Chinese. All the sermons correspond to the nearest Sunday reading in the lectionary.

From left: Dr Elaine Goh, Rev Dr Philip Siew (Principal), and Rev Dr Lim Kar Yong

The first sermon was on Psalm 139, which was the psalm for the Second Sunday after Epiphany. The last sermon was on Psalm 98, which was for the Sixth Sunday of Easter. The RCL Sunday readings are organised around the two major seasons of the Christian church year, Advent-Christmas-Epiphany, and Lent-Easter-Pentecost. The psalms in this book thus straddle both major Christian seasons. However, for the purpose of easy reading, the psalms in this book are arranged according to their numerical order, first according to chapters written in English and then followed by Chinese. A brief abstract is also provided for the Psalms preached in Chinese. A bibliography containing selected commentaries for further reading is also included at the end of the book.

Celebration of our Diversity

Reading through this book, one would certainly notice the different approaches taken by the faculty members in preaching the psalms. This diversity within STM is indicative of the richness of the seminary. The faculty draws from different ethnic backgrounds and denominations. They received their theological education from around the world; the diversity of theology within the faculty is reflective of this, and this is reflected in the preaching of the psalms. Thank God that he can use this diversity to build up his Church.

Ordering Information

 We pray that you may be encouraged in your journey of faith and moved to praise our great God as you read and reflect on the Psalms, just as we did on first hearing them and putting them into publication.

Please contact the seminary if you are interested in purchasing a copy of this book.