We need more lament songs. I was reminded of of this while studying Amos 8:9. The prophet offers the most chilling metaphor for lament imaginable for an ancient Israelite: “I will make it like the mourning of an only son.” Children killed in their schools, on the streets of a sporting event, by abuse at […]
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Pastoral Care | Tagged: Hymnology, Hymns, Lament, Prayer, Psalms, Songs | 
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
The early church, even as its Scripture was being written, expaned the Hebrew Psalter to include their own faith-hymns. Some (like Luke’s Canticles) are squarely rooted in the Hebrew traditions though with a Christological application and others reflect the new situation of the people of God in the church as the story of Israel is […]
10 Comments | Biblical Texts, Theology | Tagged: Assembly, Ecclesiology, Hymns, Music, Songs, Worship | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
The last of the Passover Psalms, Psalm 118, is the one which the crowd that lined the streets of Jerusalem shouted to welcome Jesus (Matthew 21:9): “Hosanna!” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” They blessed the one who came to declare the name of the Lord, the one who came in the […]
3 Comments | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Assembly, Bible-Psalms, Deliverance, Lament, Palm Sunday, Psalm 118, Salvation, Songs | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks