John Mark Hicks

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 […]

Deeper Bible study? Engaging Group Discipleship? Training leaders for Small Groups? These online offerings are available at minimal cost. There are four self-directed opportunities where you are able to learn at your own pace. Each unit contains original videos, suggested readings, and learning activities. One course is engages learning with a community through synchronous ZOOM […]

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 […]

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 […]

The Psalms mirror the soul and give expression to our intense feelings of praise and worship. They express our confidence in God (Psalm 23), or our desire to worship him (Psalm 100), or our devotion to his ways (Psalm 1). But they also express our deepest moments of despair, doubt and questioning. They confess sin […]

(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 […]

Psalm 24 was used in Second Temple Judaism every first day of the week. It began the week in temple assembly, and it recalls the first day of creation as well as the day of resurrection in the life of Jesus. It welcomes those who seek the face of God and who come with clean […]

Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks discuss the meaning and significance of Psalm 13, which functions as a model lament. It begins with questions and disillusionment (13:1-2), petitions God in the middle (13:3-4), and expresses trust in God in the final verses (13:5-6).

Abby Kaplan joins Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks to talk about Psalm 45. This royal wedding song has both an original significance in Israel and a messianic meaning. The Psalm, sung by Israel, desires a king of justice, humility, and truth, and celebrates the inclusion of a woman from outside of Israel. Ultimately, the […]

Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks discuss the meaning and significance of Psalm 150 as the conclusion to the Psalter.