"The Pilgrim Psalms: Songs for the Sojourn," was born of the economic crises our nation faced years ago, and the adverse impact wrought upon the author, Dennis E. Warren, and the profound levels of anxiety, sleepless nights and severe bouts of depression he suffered resulting from that catastrophe. Americans will recall that during those tumultuous times, it was frightening to witness millions of Americans losing their jobs, their homes, their security; and more disheartening, to helplessly watch their earnings plummet, and financial resources, which took a lifetime to build, decline to minuscule worth. Most disheartening, at that time there seemed no easy or quick solutions to the downward spiraling economic woes born of that depression.
But through the intervention of various Angels in his life, and delivery of their "word," the author found redemption through his rediscovery of the Pilgrim Psalms in particular, which helped him to relive their comfort and promises in the face of the seemingly hopeless emotional quagmire he had fallen into during those rocky days.
The Pilgrim Psalms offered strength and comfort where doubt began to overwhelm belief, where exhaustion hit like an oppressive load, and where happiness began to escape. He found in the Pilgrim Psalms, a salve to calm his anxious disposition; a rock on which to anchor his dwindling faith.
This book however, was mandated by an angelic messenger, his brother in the faith, who during a lengthy and laborious twenty-six hour aortic valve heart operation was visited by the Spirit. As the medically besieged patient lay in his unconscious state the Spirit relayed the Word: "Tell Dennis Warren to start his own ministry."
This book represents the initial step to fulfil that directive, and outlines the anguish and struggles the author endured leading to production of this modest work.
The book is not an attempt at erudition, nor is it, by any means, exhaustive of the fount of knowledge pertaining to the Pilgrim Psalms. The overall objective rather, is to simply produce a concise, and informative piece of incorporeal literature that will infect others with some of the redemptive magic he found in these ancient poems, while proffering another religious primer through which to commune with our Creator.
Out of necessity, this work encompasses a great deal about the lives and times of Israel's two greatest Kings-- David and Solomon-- both whom committed tremendous national resources to documenting and recording the songs we have come to know as the Psalms.
But one primary goal of this work is to project a beam of light upon some of the crucial and relevant religious and theological issues posed by these ancient songs of praise; while, concurrently, bringing them to life by linking them to real people -- those who prayed them, and more importantly, those who wrote them. For, collectively, these songs of praise relate meaningful human stories.
The Pilgrim Psalms are deeply rooted in the struggles, emotions, problems and challenges men and women have confronted for eons during their sojourns on this rocky terrain we know as Earth. And by reading them, we empathize with their pain, commiserate with their miseries, tread in their footsteps while acknowledging their timeless, universal appeal.
Truly, this book stands as stark testimony to the powerful redemptive and restorative healing power of the Pilgrim Psalms.
Surely, The Psalms live!
