Martyn Percy was until recently the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. He was involved in a feud with the college who tried to remove him and accused him of many failings, including financial skulduggery and sexual abuse.
His case came before civil and ecclesiastical courts and he was totally vindicated and exonerated. He was paid substantial damages.
During this ordeal, he endured more than most human beings could endure: psychological torture, hostility, false accusations not least. In this book he explains how the Psalms became essential to him and fortified him in the appalling adversity that he endured, and he has written this book to help others who encounter difficulties – as a result of Covid, recession and hardship. He quotes a verse from a Psalm (50 minimum in all) and then writes a short reflection on each one. These are thought-provoking, they open new windows of experience and they offer solace.
There are three sections: 1. Going Through Fire; 2. Being You and Me in the Darkness; 3. The Grace of God. There are also some helpful anecdotes included, including reference to Henry V who after the Battle of Agincourt, made all his soldiers kneel down and recite the Psalm Non Nobis Domine. ‘Not to us, not to us, O Lord but to Thy name be glory.’
