John Mark Hicks

The Hebrew Bible’s word for the theological idea of “grace” in the New Testament is hesed (steadfast love). Psalm 136 celebrates God’s initiative and commitment, God’s grace, by reciting the line “because his steadfast love endures forever” 26 times. Israel, gathered in assembly in Psalm 135 and Psalm 136 to bless, praise, and give thanks […]

Psalm 123 finds pilgrims standing in the gates of Jerusalem and looking up to the God who is enthroned in the heavens and between the Cherubim of the ark of the covenant. The only petition is: “be gracious to us” (a word used three times in the space of four words). It is a communal […]

Psalm 100 invites all the earth to make a joyful noise and come into God’s presence in order to acknowledge that God is the creator and all peoples belong to him, give thanks, and bless God’s holy name. This invitation is grounded in the goodness of Yahweh whose steadfast love endures forever and faithfulness shapes […]

In Psalm 106 exilic Israel confesses the sins of their ancestors and identifies with them. They recognize the solidarity that shape a people, including their sin and rebellion. They also confess God’s merciful response to sin, and they appeal to God to remember God’s covenant love and renew mercy again. This is a corporate confession […]

Psalm 105–part of the “mini-Bible” (Psalms 103-107)–sings God’s praise for how God’s steadfast love revealed itself in God’s history with Abraham, Joseph, Moses & Aaron, and their journey to Sinai. God is a covenant keeper; and God entered into an everlasting covenant with Abraham that would identify Israel as God’s own possession (chosen ones), multiply […]

If one sees the God of Israel as fundamentally vindictive, angry, or malicious, then one might want to meditate and pray Psalm 103 regularly. The psalmist recognizes God has not treated as we deserve, forgives our sins, liberates us from our oppression, and heals our wounds because God is steadfast love, gracious, and merciful. God […]

Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks reflect on the meaning of Psalm 26 as an entrance liturgy for assembling with the people of God. Does the claim of blamelessness reflect a Jewish legalism? Should we enter the assembly to dwell in God’s glory with a kind of sinlessness? How might we appropriate this Psalm for […]

Bobby Valentine and John Mark discuss the meaning and significance of Psalm 7. A righteous sufferer seeks justice and deliverance. What do you pray when you have been falsely accused? Do you protest your innocence? Do ask God to probe your heart? Do ask God to wake up and do something? Can we maintain our […]

This is one of the church’s penitential Psalms, and it is one of the songs of Ascent in the Psalter. It is Israel’s confession of sin as the community approaches the temple to receive the priestly blessing based on God’s forgiveness and mercy/grace/love (hesed). Out of the depths, Israel cries for mercy and waits for […]

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 […]