Author: Administrador

The psalms chosen for lectionary use are often abridged for a variety of reasons — sometimes valid, sometimes not so much, many of us would say.  Today’s abridgment of Psalm 84 seems to be simply a matter of length, since there are no particularly “embarrassing” or “offending” elements in the part omitted. Still, however the … Continue reading “Psalm 84:1-7 Commentary by Fred Gaiser”

Psalm 84 is classified as a pilgrimage psalm, sung as praise by those who traveled to Jerusalem to worship. Such journeys were often beset with hardship as the traveler moved through the wilderness over great distances in order to reach Jerusalem. In verse 2 the psalmist speaks of the intense desire of these pilgrims: “my … Continue reading “Psalm 84:1-7 Commentary by J. Dwayne Howell”

The Shaking of the Foundations The Working Preacher may decide to preach on the Gospel text for today, following along with a series of sermons on Luke. The text from Hebrews is also inviting, with its picture of the “great cloud of witnesses” in the stands, surrounding us who are still running the races in … Continue reading “Psalm 82
Commentary by James Limburg”

“The gods may be crazy . . . but they are definitely unjust!” Psalm 82 is the shortest of the psalms I have commented on these four weeks, but it is far and away the most difficult to interpret. The volume of scholarly literature is enormous, and not simply because scholars like to get published. … Continue reading “Psalm 82
Commentary by James K. Mead”

In Psalm 82, the poetic imagination of the Psalmist conjures a mythic heavenly court. This court is different from typical pictures of the radical monotheism of Israel. The one true God is now surrounded by a Miltonian court of lesser deities who bear some responsibility for the wickedness and injustice that has covered the nation. … Continue reading “Psalm 82
Commentary by Adam Hearlson”

This portion of Psalm 80 responds to the first lesson from Isaiah 5 by employing the same metaphor of God’s people as a ruined, forsaken vine and vineyard. In the first lesson, Isaiah argues God’s side: in spite of my loving viticulture, my grape people were a failure; there was nothing for it but to … Continue reading “Psalm 80:7-15 Commentary by Henry Langknecht”

Psalm 80 is a communal lament. It seems have been written in response to a disaster, most likely the fall and exile of the Northern Kingdom.1 The lament is dire, yet full of hope. Repeatedly, it calls on God to “restore” and “save” (verses 2, 3, 7, 19) to “turn again” (verse 14) and “give … Continue reading “Psalm 80:7-15 Commentary by Nancy Koester”

Psalm 80’s thrice-repeated refrain (vv. 3, 7, 19) is a clue both to the psalm’s liturgical origins and its driving theological concern. The refrain indicates that the poem finds its origins as a corporate prayer, with the congregation or a choir intoning the refrain. [NOTE: For worshiping communities that sing the psalms responsively, please note … Continue reading “Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Commentary by Rolf Jacobson”

Psalm 80 is a communal lament in which the worshipping community calls upon God to rescue them from trouble. The psalm features a refrain that expresses its central theme: “Restore us, O God (of hosts); let your face shine, that we may be saved” (verses 3, 7, 19). The plea for help is based upon … Continue reading “Psalm 80:1-7 Commentary by Jerome Creach”

When a psalm is divided up, like the one for this Sunday (verses 1-7, 17-19), the integrity of the psalm is lost. Then the beautifully intertwined words of lament to God and praise of God are lost. First of all we need to respond to these concerns. In the case of Psalm 80, the structure … Continue reading “Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Commentary by Paul S. Berge”