Author: Administrador

In the conclusion to his excellent book, Seeing the Psalms: A Theology of Metaphor, William Brown explains that “the power of metaphor . . . lies in its ability (and manipulability) to inspire new theological vision.”1 The season of advent welcomes the faithful, even beckons the faithful to such a task:  to cast a new, … Continue reading “Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Commentary by W. Dennis Tucker, Jr.”

On the last Sunday in Advent, we end where we began: with lament. Psalm 80 offers a profound description of suffering, particularly the suffering of God’s apparent absence. This Psalm expresses our longing for God’s face to turn toward us rather than away, and to shine upon us with the light of grace. The first … Continue reading “Psalm 80:1-7 Commentary by Elizabeth Webb”

Don’t be a lectionary basher; respect the brothers and sisters responsible for the lectionary for the hard choices they’ve made. For unless we’re committed to reading the whole Bible every Sunday, someone has to decide what really good stuff to leave out. But about preaching on Psalm 80 I want to say this: Even if … Continue reading “Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Commentary by Henry Langknecht”

We do not know how to pray as a community, together, for the community. Psalm 80 is a National Lament, and the very idea of the United States or really any other modern nation praying as a nation doesn’t make much sense, comprised as we are of people of different faiths, and of no faith … Continue reading “Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Commentary by James Howell”

Psalm 78’s superscription reads, “A Maskil of Asaph.” While some commentators and readers ignore the superscriptions of the psalms, these little introductions often provide significant clues for understanding the psalms’ meanings and purposes. In the Hebrew Bible, unlike Christian Bibles, a psalm’s superscription is not placed as a preface to it. Rather, it is included … Continue reading “Psalm 78:23-29 Commentary by Nancy deClaissé-Walford”

When one approaches an abstract painting by any one of the 20th century abstract painters — Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollack, and so on — they are met by art work that prompts cognitive dislocation and reflection. Some will look at a Pollack painting and quickly conclude that anyone could do it or swiftly conclude that … Continue reading “Psalm 78:23-29 Commentary by Paul O. Myhre”

Psalm 78 is the second longest psalm in the Psalter (next to Psalm 119) and by far the longest psalm that rehearses Israel’s history (Psalms 105 and 106 are two other examples). The events of the past are presented as a lesson for the present generation. The period of wilderness wandering is the focus. God … Continue reading “Psalm 78:23-29 Commentary by Jerome Creach”

Psalm 78 is the second longest psalm in the Psalter; only psalm 119 is longer. The psalm is often called historical, and it is an instruction or meditation in poetic form about how to live a godly life. The theme of the psalm is the relationship between God and his people. It describes the life … Continue reading “Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38 Commentary by LarsOlov Eriksson”

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 is timely for the season of Advent. We come in these Advent Sundays to hear and experience the kingship of the Messiah, who has come, is present, and will come in power and glory as the Son of Man on the clouds of heaven. In Israel’s history the king represented the ruling … Continue reading “Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Commentary by Paul S. Berge”

In America, the relationship between political leadership and faith matters is tenuous, superficial, and rather manipulative. Candidates know that must declare their spiritual mettle in order to win elections, and once in a while a pastor like Billy Graham makes a cameo appearance in the White House. For ancient Israel, God and the things of … Continue reading “Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 Commentary by James Howell”