One thing I have to say for Crossway, they know Bibles, and they know how to produce some beautiful editions.
I requested a copy of their standalone edition of the Psalms to review, and Crossway was kind enough to oblige. I am very glad they did.
The ESV Psalms contains nothing in it but the Psalms from a traditional Bible. Each psalm is a standalone section, unlike most Bibles where one psalm immediately follows another on a page. The paper is a thicker, more book-like paper as opposed to a traditional thinner Bible paper. The overall size is 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. It comes with a smyth-sewn binding and a ribbon bookmark.
I received the top grain leather edition, and it is wonderful to hold. It comes in a clamshell box to protect the book. When you take it out, the leather has a matte finish, and it is very soft. If this were a traditional Bible with thin pages, I have no doubt it would lay flat on every page. Because of the thicker pages, however, it will not really lay flat. This is in no way a defect of the Psalms, as the thick pages were intentional. The leather cover is also wrapped around the edges of the front and back cover.
As with all of Crossway’s genuine leather Bibles, it comes with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects with normal use. I can personally attest that Crossway honors this guarantee, going above and beyond what they have to. Their promise is to replace a defective Bible with a Bible of “equal or greater value,” and they stand by their promise.
The text itself is 11 point font, and it is presented in a single-column format (which is quickly becoming my favorite Bible layout). The text color is black, except for the psalm heading, the verse numbers, and the book dividers (the psalms are actually a collection of five books).
At the bottom of each page is the psalm number, a one-line title/summary of the psalm, and the page number.
This edition of the psalms is a wonderful edition to any library. It is a nice break to sit and read the psalms with this edition since it causes the reader to focus on each unit rather than getting lost in multiple psalms per page. I could see this being used as part of a prayer time, praying through various psalms as Donald Whitney recommends.
If you are looking for a unique presentation of the psalms, look no further. This edition from Crossway is both useful for devotions and elegant in its artistic design. You will not regret purchasing one for yourself.
*Note: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
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