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This psalm lection contains a magnificent constellation of biblical terms, portraying them with a striking intimacy that catches modern readers off guard: “righteousness and peace will kiss each other” (verse 10)?¹ This psalm lection contains (...)

Chapter 13 of Matthew features the third major discourse of Jesus in this Gospel. In a set of seven parables, Jesus reveals the character of the reign of God—the “reign [or realm] of the heavens,” (...)

The assigned verses are a portion of a much larger psalm that concludes book three of the psalter.1 The context of both the verses and the psalm are interpretively significant. Verses 1 to 4 introduce (...)

This is a commentary on the middle section of Psalm 50—Psalm 50:7-15. The psalm can be divided into three sections: Psalm 50:1-6—Introduction (See my 2021 commentary on these verses) Psalm 50:7-15—God speaks to his people (...)

Psalm 47 is a hymn that celebrates God’s reign as king over the earth.1 The psalm also portrays a procession for the purpose of celebrating God’s kingship. This is most evident in the declaration that (...)

In Psalm 104, the world that God creates and recreates is not just ordered, but rhythmic, each created thing a note that contributes to the Spirit’s song.1 The whole of creation is like a song (...)

God makes the whole world shout “Hooray!”1 It’s just this sort of shout, hari‘u, that begins Psalm 66. Hari‘u is an imperative verb meaning: “(Hey, all of you) make some noise! Shout!” The verb appears (...)

This psalmist is a refugee.1 In fact, the Psalter is “refugee literature,” in a very real sense. It’s written by refugees, for refugees.2 The Psalms give voice to those who yearn for a place of (...)

Psalm 116 is fourth in a group of psalms known as the “Egyptian Hallel” psalms (Psalms 113-118), the psalms recited at the Passover meal on the eighth day of Passover.1 Psalms 113 and 114 are (...)

In the context (wake, aftermath, light) of Easter, Psalm 16 proposes a contrast of sorts, between “the holy ones” (verse 3) and “those who choose another god” (verse 4).1 This contrast is set within the (...)