'My Rock; My Refuge: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms' by Timothy Keller (with Kathy Keller) (Hodder & Stoughton, hardback, 372 pages, £12.99, available from The Good Book for £8.99 + P&P)

While daily Bible study notes such as 'Every Day with Jesus', 'Word for Today' and 'Daily Bread' have long been immensely popular among believers, full-year devotional books by favourite Christian authors and celebrities have become increasingly in vogue, and there is now an utter abundance from which to choose. If you're into this type of inspirational reading to begin each day of the year, you can take your pick.

A current best-seller on both sides of the Atlantic (though the US title is catchier – 'The Songs of Jesus') comes from American theologian and apologist Timothy Keller, author of the huge-selling, 'The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Scepticism'.

Two decades ago, Keller began reading the entire book of Psalms every month. 'My Rock; My Refuge' – his first-ever devotional - is based on his accumulated years of study, insight and inspiration, as recorded in his prayer journals.

Inspirational Reflections

The book (co-written with his wife, Kathy) works through all 150 psalms, one per day (or part of one, and never more than 12 verses a day), providing short inspirational reflections on each passage followed by a thoughtful prayer. Keller is an insightful thinker and his comments, though kept short, are full of spiritual depth and wisdom, providing plenty of food for thought and allowing space for further contemplation.

Keller is an insightful thinker and his comments are full of spiritual depth and wisdom.

Additional references are sometimes provided, allowing further study should you have the time. But please note, this is not a commentary - so do not expect complex theological expositions, or lengthy explanations of some of the more contentious passages within the Psalter. Indeed, many difficult verses aren't discussed at all.

Grow in Hunger

Personally, I'm not the type of person who likes to read other people's prayers, yet there's plenty of meat in Keller's heart-cries to help engender further prayer on your own part. Do consider using this book if you are seeking clear and insightful reflections that get to the heart of each individual psalm. Keller's hope is that as you spend time meditating on them one by one, your hunger for God will grow and you will be drawn into a closer walk of fellowship with him.