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

How odd it is to be hearing and singing Psalm 95 in the middle of Lent!1 The “preacher” who composed the book of Ecclesiastes wrote famously wrote that “for everything there is a season, a (...)

Psalm 130 is the eleventh of the fifteen Songs of Ascents in Book Five of the Psalter (Psalms 120-134).1 These psalms are most likely songs that ancient Israelite pilgrims sang as they made their way (...)

Jesus’ words in Luke 23:46, incorporating the words of Psalm 31:5, “Into your hands I commit my spirit,” forever tie the psalm, along with Psalms 22 and 69, to the passion narratives of Jesus of (...)

I cannot read this psalm without singing it. If you have a favorite sung version of the psalm, start by singing it, and then turn to interpretation. For me, it is the monks of Mepkin (...)

Scripture is a confounding thing. If you’re not baffled by it, you’re not paying attention. Mark Twain is reputed to have said, “It’s not the parts of Scripture I don’t understand that trouble me, it’s (...)

Borne out of a gut-wrenching anguish, Psalm 22 is the cry of one who knows what it is to be bullied by his enemies, rejected by his community, and abandoned by God.1 The threat for (...)

Discussion on texts for Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Ordinary 23 (Sept. 8, 2019): (Gospel) Luke 14:25-33; (First Reading) Deuteronomy 30:15-20; (Semicontinuous First Reading) Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 1; (Second Reading) Philemon 1:1-21. Recorded at Luther (...)

Discussion on texts for Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (Sept. 16, 2018): (Gospel) Mark 8:27-38; (First Reading) Isaiah 50:4-9a; (Semi-continuous First Reading) Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 116:1-9; (Second Reading) James 3:1-12. Recorded at Luther Seminary, Saint Paul, (...)

Discussion on texts for Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Sept. 9, 2018): (Gospel) Mark 7:24-37; (First Reading) Isaiah 35:4-7a; (Semi-continuous First Reading) Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 146; (Second Reading) James 2:1-10, [11-13], 14-17. Recorded at (...)