John Mark Hicks

In Micah 6, the prophet served as Yahweh’s prosecutor calling for witnesses, listening to the accused, and charging the defendants. They are not a people who pursue justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Through economic injustice and violence, the people have now received God’s verdict: invasion and exile. But hope is not lost. Who is like Yahweh? […]

Why “go to church”? Or, better, why participate in the assembly of fellow-believers? Psalm 40 provides a response. We go to tell the story, to proclaim the good news of God’s righteousness, God’s saving work. To rehearse the story of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. We go to present our living sacrifices to the Lord […]

The worshipping assembly of Israel proclaims that they do not trust in military power or national agendas. Instead, it lives by faith in the steadfast love of the Lord. The praise of God on the lips and instruments of God’s people is lovely, fitting, and awesome. Not because of who we are but because of […]

God covers our sin when we don’t cover it up. God takes away our sin even when we are burdened with its guilt. God does not count our sin against us when we confess it. Psalm 32 is the testimony of one who left the path of God and was overwhelmed by the torrents of […]

May one lament and trust at the same time, even in the same moment? Psalm 31 does, and Jesus quotes this Psalm as his last words on the cross. What does trust look like when surrounded by mockers, predators, and living on the verge of death? How does one trust in such circumstances? This is […]

Psalm 21 is a royal Psalm that locates the king’s strength in Yahweh’s steadfast love. Yahweh saves and blesses the king of Israel because the king trusts in the steadfast love of the Lord. Yahweh delivers the king from the enemies of Yahweh and gives him the glory of the Lord’s presence. The Psalm idealizes […]

Hosea, the prophet who functions as a prosecutor, announced God’s judicial verdict in the previous chapter. Yet Hosea still holds out hope if Israel will seek God’s face (Hosea 5:15). Will Ephraim repent? Will they return to the Lord? Will they seek God’s path rather than their own? Hosea 6 opens the door, but Israel’s […]

The first three chapters of Hosea functions as a prophetic sign-act where God’s relationship with Israel is given a concrete model in the relationship of Hosea and his family. They alternate between judgment and hope, between marriage-divorce-remarriage. God entered into covenant with Israel, and Israel broke faith with Yahweh, but Yahweh promises to renew covenant […]

Though Israel walks through troubles threatened by gods, kings of the earth, and enemies, Yahweh is loving and faithful. Consequently, Israel confesses the name of Yahweh before the gods, gives thanks for Yahweh’s grace and deliverance, and walks confidently in the way of the Lord despite its troubles. One day all the kings of the […]

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 […]