God of Power, God of the People Some of the psalms are among the easiest parts of the Bible to understand. The comforting message of Psalm 23, the expression of wonder at the night sky in Psalm 8, or the confession of sin in Psalm 51 are examples. These psalms speak directly and need no … Continue reading “Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 Commentary by James Limburg”
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Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 Commentary by J. Clinton McCann
While Psalm 68 is fraught with interpretive difficulties — several one-of-a-kind words, obscure allusions, unknown geographical locations, and a less-than-clear structure — its general character and movement are clear enough. As Konrad Schaefer helpfully suggests, Psalm 68 “is a hymn to God’s power and majesty … The overall impression is of a triumphal parade which … Continue reading “Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 Commentary by J. Clinton McCann”
Psalm 67 Commentary by J. Clinton McCann
As we had occasion to observe in relation to Psalm 148, last week’s psalm, Israel’s songs of praise regularly invite an expansive congregation to praise God. Whereas last week’s essay explored the ecological implications of inviting a universe-encompassing congregation to praise God, this essay focuses more narrowly on the human community. Note, however, that while … Continue reading “Psalm 67 Commentary by J. Clinton McCann”
Psalm 67:1-7 Commentary by Rolf Jacobson
A Liturgy of Blessing As the twice-repeated refrain (verses 3, 5) indicates, Psalm 67 is a song meant for public worship. We can imagine a worship leader or choir singing the body of the psalm, with the congregation or a larger choir intoning the refrain: May God be gracious to us and bless us and … Continue reading “Psalm 67:1-7 Commentary by Rolf Jacobson”
Psalm 67 Commentary by Nancy Koester
The sixth Sunday of Easter may feel a bit like the twelfth day of Christmas — officially still in the zone but, practically speaking, most people have moved on. All the presents have been opened: preachers have proclaimed the Easter story, the most familiar Easter songs have been sung, the lilies have either wilted or … Continue reading “Psalm 67 Commentary by Nancy Koester”
Psalm 67:1-7 Commentary by James K. Mead
This psalm is a favorite for several reasons. Its repetitions and relative brevity make it memorable; its literary connections to other texts inform our biblical theology; and its aspirations for all nations and peoples to receive God’s blessings encourage a holistic understanding of God’s purposes on earth. Psalm 67 creatively integrates the priestly blessing of … Continue reading “Psalm 67:1-7 Commentary by James K. Mead”
Psalm 67 Commentary by James Limburg
A few weeks ago I was browsing through our local Barnes and Noble bookstore and ran across a thin volume with the title: PRAISE BE TO YOU: Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home (Ignatius: San Francisco, 2015). I picked up a tall Starbucks and sat down with this Encyclical Letter from Pope Francis. … Continue reading “Psalm 67 Commentary by James Limburg”
Psalm 66:8-20 Commentary by James Limburg
I Love To Tell the Story I recall from Sunday School days in a small Minnesota church that it was always one of my favorite songs. Somehow our group assembled for “opening exercises” always got cranked up singing the refrain: “I love to tell the sto-ry, ’twill be my theme in glory.” I was disappointed … Continue reading “Psalm 66:8-20 Commentary by James Limburg”
Psalm 66:8-20 Commentary by Jerome Creach
Psalm 66:8-20 is part of a hymn that extols God’s mighty deeds on behalf of God’s people. God’s mighty deeds on behalf of God’s people. Verses 1-12 are oriented toward the Israelites and how God saved them, pointing specifically to God saving them at the Red Sea (verse 6). But the psalm concludes with the … Continue reading “Psalm 66:8-20 Commentary by Jerome Creach”
last week’s essay on Psalm 16, the sequencing of psalms sometimes seems intentional, or at least significant. In terms of today’s lection, the beginning of Psalm 66 follows beautifully the conclusion of Psalm 65. Psalm 66:1-9 Commentary by Craig A. Satterlee
In recent years, Psalms scholarship has been inclined to attend more carefully to the sequencing of the poems. To be sure, it is not always possible to discern meaningful relationships among neighboring psalms; but the question is worth asking. In the case of Psalm 16, we can say at least that it makes really good … Continue reading “last week’s essay on Psalm 16, the sequencing of psalms sometimes seems intentional, or at least significant. In terms of today’s lection, the beginning of Psalm 66 follows beautifully the conclusion of Psalm 65.
Psalm 66:1-9 Commentary by Craig A. Satterlee”