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Psalm 16 opens with a verse that expresses its main theme: “Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge” (verse 1). The plea for God to “protect me” is common in the Psalter (...)

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. Psalms 113 and 114 are (...)

Psalm 31, along with Psalms 22 and 69, is among the longest and most impressive of the genre known variously as lament, complaint, protest, and/or prayer for help.1 Not coincidentally, these three psalms figure prominently (...)

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

Psalm 31, along with Psalms 22 and 69, is among the longest and most impressive of the genre known variously as lament, complaint, protest, and/or prayer for help. Not coincidentally, these three psalms figure prominently (...)

Psalm 104 is classified as a creation psalm, a rare breed in the book of Psalms. Only Psalms 8, 19, 65, and 148 share the designation, and, at 35 verses, Psalm 104 is by far (...)

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. The whole of creation is like a song (...)

Psalm 66 is a hymn of thanksgiving in which the voices of the community of faith (verses 1-12) mingle with the voice of an individual psalm singer (verses 13-20). Verses 1-5 of the psalm echo (...)

God makes the whole world shout “Hooray!” 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 (...)

Psalm 66:8-20 is part of a hymn that extols God’s mighty deeds on behalf of God’s people. God’s mighty deeds on behalf of God’s people. Verses 1-12 are oriented toward the Israelites and how God (...)