John Mark Hicks

“Some nations boast of their chariots and horses but we boast in the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7. Israel prays for their king but trusts Yahweh to provide rather than military might. Israel does not boast about its military, but boasts about their covenant God who saves the Messiah, and through the […]

Psalm 134 concludes the Songs of Ascents (begun in Psalm 120) with a call to bless Yahweh standing in the courts with lifted hands. Standing in holy space, worshippers encounter God, and prayers are lifted that call upon God to bless each worshipper (“you” is singular in 134:3). The final Psalm of Ascents ends with […]

When family sit at the table together in unity, it is like Aaron receiving the blessing of ordination for the sake of the people of God and Zion receiving the blessing of moisture from Mt. Hermon. God has commanded that Zion is the place of blessing, and it brings everlasting life to those who receive […]

In Psalm 129 Israel remembers its oppressive past (and perhaps present as well) as they journey to Zion to gather with the people of God for the praise and blessing of Yahweh. Those who hate Zion–the place where God dwells-have no part in the blessing, and Israel has been sustained in their history by God’s […]

Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks discuss the meaning of Psalm 127. It is a wisdom Psalm about God’s providential involvement in the building, protection, and blessings in our lives. It is a Psalm for workaholics, and a Psalm for everyone who thinks achievement, reward, and rest depends on them alone. Unless God is involved, […]

Paul opens the letter with a long blessing or doxology that is a single sentence (from verse 3 to verse 14). While our English translations do not reflect this (because that would be bad English), the rhetorical flare of the single Greek sentence is magnificent, explosive, and comprehensive. Summary Opening the letter by blessing God […]

Hebrews 13:1-25 Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held […]

The Blessedness of Naomi (Ruth 4:13-22) So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the LORD made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in […]

Boaz at the City Gate (Ruth 4:1-12) No sooner had Boaz gone up to the gate and sat down there than the next-of-kin, of whom Boaz had spoken, came passing by. So Boaz said, “Come over, friend; sit down here.” And he went over and sat down. Then Boaz took ten men of the elders […]

Ruth Seeks Naomi’s Security (Ruth 3:6-16) So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had instructed her. When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and he was in a contented mood, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came stealthily and uncovered […]