John Mark Hicks

Psalm 13 is a typical lament that moves from complaint to petition and then to praise. It beautifully illustrates this typical structure. Consequently, I will use this Psalm as the framework for the following discussion. The psalmist prayed:                         How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?                                     How long will you hide your […]

(English Version Here) Israel había experimentado recientemente una derrota. Aunque quizás sea un contexto exílico, probablemente refleja una derrota militar en el período preexílico (por ejemplo, la invasión de Zera el cusita durante el reinado del justo Asa en 2 Crón. 14:9-10, la invasión de los moabitas durante el reinado del justo Josafat en 2 […]

(English Version Here) El Salmo 13 es un lamento típico que pasa de la queja a la petición y luego a la alabanza. Ilustra maravillosamente esta estructura típica. En consecuencia, usaré este Salmo como marco para la siguiente discusión. El salmista oró:                         ¿Hasta cuándo, oh Señor? ¿Me olvidarás para siempre?                                     ¿Hasta cuándo esconderás […]

(English Version Here) Los Salmos reflejan el alma y expresan nuestros intensos sentimientos de alabanza y adoración. Expresan nuestra confianza en Dios (Salmo 23), o nuestro deseo de adorarlo (Salmo 100), o nuestra devoción a sus caminos (Salmo 1). Pero también expresan nuestros momentos más profundos de desesperación, duda y cuestionamiento. Confiesan el pecado (Salmo […]

Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks discuss one of the seven traditional Penitential Psalms, which are used annually at Lent. We question whether this a penitential prayer. Rather, it is a lament and cry for mercy from one who is suffering terribly and mistreated by others (much like in Job 16, for example). The Psalm […]

Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks discuss the opening prayer of the Psalter. Surrounded by many who claim God no longer listens to him, the Psalmist expresses confidence in Yahweh’s presence. God will answer him when he cries out and deliver him. Salvation comes from the Lord alone. Consequently, the Psalmist has no fear of […]

Publicado por primera vez en Leaven 8.2 (primavera de 2000) 75-80. (An English translation is available here: “Job’s Sanctuary Experience and Mine.”) Translated by Wilson Silva Garcia.             Vivimos en un mundo caído lleno de pecado, desesperación y muerte.  Sin embargo, es el mundo de Dios y él es soberano sobre él (Salmo 115:3).  La […]

Dr. James Nesmith, Jr. joins Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks to discuss the meaning and significance of Psalm 58. This is an imprecatory lament against injustice on the part of rulers (whether “gods” as NRSV has it, or “rulers” as the NIV [2011] has it). How might we pray this prayer today as disciples […]

Dr. Tiffany Mangan Dahlman joins Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks to discuss Psalm 77. This powerful and disturbing lament calls us to remember the ways of God in the midst of our grief and troubled times. What is the significance of this lament for our present moment?

Titus Walelo joins Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks to discuss the meaning and significance of Psalm 88. It is perhaps the darkest lament in the Psalter. We have all felt this Psalm in our souls at times, and we share some of our stories as we read Psalm 88 together in lament. How do […]