One of my preaching instructors at seminary once mentioned a handful of books that he keeps within easy reach of his desk for sermon preparation.  I’ve done the same ever since and find myself referring to them often.

To preach the text effectively we have to do more than dissect the text and preach the parts.  We have to be concerned with understanding the flow of thought, the literary artistry, the implications of the genre and form, etc.  So when I’m preparing to preach a text, I tend to use the Scripture index to find if it is addressed in books like these:

Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible by Leland Ryken is a very helpful book – perhaps just a paragraph or two, but often those thoughts are very helpful.  The Art of Biblical Narrative by Robert Alter – a classic that should be required reading for us all.  It covers less biblical texts, but its great when the text is in there!  Reading Biblical Narrative or Poetry, both by JP Fokkelman is worth a look too.  As is The Literary Structure of the Old Testament by David Dorsey.

There are others, but I’ll leave it there.  These are not atomistic commentaries, but rather literary guides.  Do you have a shelf like this close at hand?  What is on it?