John Mark Hicks

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 […]

Give thanks to the Lord for his goodness and steadfast love. Whatever our circumstance–from wandering in the desert, imprisoned in chains, sick and wounded, or tossed upon the sea–the steadfast love of God is present to hear and deliver. God will bring low the aristocrats and raise up the poor and needy. The wise will […]

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 […]

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 […]

Perhaps Psalm 25 is the “Lord’s Prayer” of the Psalms–it teaches us to pray, pursue the way (derek) of the Lord, and rest in God’s overwhelming mercy, love, and grace. Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks discuss Psalm 25 as a kind of model prayer for the covenant people of God. Petitions are grounded in […]