Denial

Observing that Christians today “sing songs of orientation in a world increasingly experienced as disoriented,” Walter Bruggemann suggests that the church is in a state of denial:“The church is less an evangelical defiance guided by faith, and must more a frightened, numb denial . . . . Continue Reading »

Blessed are the meek

The word ‘anaw, “humble” or “meek” is used 13x in the Psalter. It refers to a social position; it’s not only, or even primarily, an attitude of mind, but a life-condition. The meek are the afflicted, low-born, abused.Within the Psalter the word forms a story-arc . . . . Continue Reading »

No condemnation

Psalm 37 is a wisdom Psalm that assures Israel that Yahweh will not let the wicked flourish forever. The faithful should persevere in seemingly fruitless faithfulness because the wicked who spring up like grass will also wither like grass.Part of this assurance is that the Lord will rescue His . . . . Continue Reading »

Preferential option

In his commentary on Psalm 72 , Calvin gives this convincing explanation for the Psalm’s focus on the king’s duty to protect of the poor: “As God had promised to extend his care to the poor and afflicted among his people, David, as an argument to enforce the prayer which he . . . . Continue Reading »

Dance of nations

Psalm 87 is a Psalm of Gentile inclusion. Five nations, several of them traditional enemies of Israel - Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia - are born again, given a fresh genealogy as if they were naturally born citizens of Zion. Psalm 87 is the Ephesians 2 of the Psalter (or, more . . . . Continue Reading »

Judgment to salvation

The ideal king of Psalm 72 rules with justice and brings peace, and he does this when he “judges ( shaphat ) the afflicted of the people, saves the children, of the needy, and crushes the oppressor” (v. 4). The NASB translates shaphat as “vindicate,” a good translation in . . . . Continue Reading »