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When a psalm is divided up, like the one for this Sunday (verses 1-7, 17-19), the integrity of the psalm is lost.1 Then the beautifully intertwined words of lament to God and praise of God (...)

This rich passage comprises four subscenes as the Gospel positions Jesus in Galilee (Matthew 4:12-16) and narrates the opening acts of Jesus’ public activity (Matthew 4:17-23). Jesus in Galilee Herod the tetrarch’s silencing of John (...)

As much as any psalm in the Psalter, Psalm 27 expresses trust in the lord and claims absolute dependence on God. This is apparent in verse 1, which begins the lectionary reading: “The Lord is (...)

The lectionary selection from Psalm 40 includes 10 verses that express thanksgiving (verses 1–10) and one verse of petition for help (verse 11). The shift from thanks to plea represents a major problem of interpretation (...)

Psalm 15 is classified generally as a Community Hymn and more specifically as an Entrance Liturgy. In three movements — Question (verse 1), Response (verses 2-5b), and Promise (verse 5c), the prospective worshiper is schooled (...)

One of the defining features of the prayer for help is the return to trust that defines its complaint. Psalm 31 has both of these elements, and each is employed to full effect. These two (...)

Psalm 31 is one of three psalms that appear prominently in the story of Jesus’ passion. For the Gospel writers this psalm, along with Psalms 22 and 69, seems to have expressed better than any (...)

Why is it called “Maundy Thursday?” That was my question as I began looking at these texts for the Thursday of Holy Week. You’d think I would know the answer to that question, having attended (...)

Psalm 118 is called a “song of victory” in the New Revised Standard Version, and it invites Israel (and all who read/pray/hear it) to join its voices to that of the psalm, and to say (...)

Psalm 118 has been and is an extraordinarily important psalm in the history of Judaism and Christianity. It was Martin Luther’s favorite — “My own beloved psalm,” as he put it. Luther considered verse 17 (...)