The Contextualized Psalms (Punjabi Zabur)

“Since one cannot worship in Pakistan without singing Zabours, this book should be part of the training for every Christian worker (expatriate and national). They belong to Christians of all denominations, but Muslims also need to hear of their poetic quality and spiritual truths. For example, the most popular, Psalm 24, reiterates that Jesus is King. Others mention the prophets and such themes provide workers with connecting points to the gospel.”


—Warren Larson, Senior Research Fellow and Professor, Zwemer Center for Muslim-Christian Relations at Columbia International University





“All in all, this book by Dr. Yousaf Sadiq offers multiple dimensions of interest. It provides a window into sociocultural and missional history in the region of present-day Pakistan. It also highlights a process of transmission from Europe to Asia of a particular worship form within the Protestant tradition. The book additionally raises a number of interesting and important questions relating to Christian-Muslim relations in Pakistan. These questions offer potential bridges between the faiths rather than focusing on awkward differences. Thus this book looks into the past, the present, and the future, and in doing so, it represents an invaluable addition to Christian scholarly literature.”


—Peter G. Riddell, from the Foreword





“Contextualizing our faith demands that we holistically engage every dimension of faith to ensure full-orbed biblical integrity and cultural salience. Yousaf Sadiq offers a living example of the Punjabi Psalter which embodies the Psalms in metrical and lyrical framing serving as a vehicle of faithful transmission and embodiment of the richness of the Psalms for Pakistani Christians—biblically anchoring their faith and offering cultural connections with the majority Muslim communities which surround them.”


—Scott Moreau, Academic Dean and Professor of Intercultural Studies, Wheaton College Graduate School