John Mark Hicks

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 […]

Since October 7, 2023, that title has been my most popular blog post (written in 2013). It is probably rather disappointing to discover that the blog is an exposition of Amos 2:6-8. The prophet identified the sins of Israel as the oppression of the poor and needy, sexual immorality, and economic injustice. Amos not only […]

Psalm 135, along with Psalm 136, is the Great Hallel, the praise and blessing the pilgrim offers in the temple courts (where God dwells). Those who have ascended the holy mountain and now stand at the top of the steps in the court with the priests and Levites declare God’s goodness, beauty, and election of […]

A PDF is available here. For a 2016 class, I prepared a statement of the gospel. I believe it is has a longer history but I am uncertain. Since I will soon begin reading Five Views on the Gospel (due out in June), I thought I would share my own thinking (at least as it […]

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 joy of several creation values in Psalm 128:1-3 (work, intimacy, and family) that are blessings from the Lord who dwells in Zion. Those who fear the Lord and walk in the ways of God are blessed from Zion and experience the peace and good of God’s creational […]

English version available here. Dios llamó a Israel para guiar a las naciones y le confió los oráculos de Dios. Cuando Dios llamó a Abraham, su intención era crear una nación que bendeciera a todas las naciones. En lugar de destruir a la humanidad en la Torre de Babel, Dios optó por comenzar de nuevo […]

“Peace upon Israel!” is how Psalm 125 concludes. This is God’s goal for those who trust in the Lord, whose hearts are oriented toward righteousness, and walk in the paths of God’s goodness. The promise is that God will remove all wickedness and injustice, and those who trust in the Lord will inherit the land. […]

Pilgrims enter Jerusalem excited to experience authentic community, thanksgiving, and justice. They come to the house of the Lord to experience shalom (peace) and ask God to give peace the place where the Lord dwells. What does it mean to pray for Jerusalem? How might we pray for Jerusalem today? Psalm 122 guides in the […]