Author: Administrador

Why the passion of this psalm? Why its sharp, even repellant characterization of the enemies? Why the joy and generosity of its resolution? Because of what the psalmist sees to be at stake here: nothing less than God’s name and the pray-er’s soul! Both of these fundamental realities are of utmost concern to each of … Continue reading “Psalm 54 Commentary by Fred Gaiser”

Perhaps you’ve heard the old saw, “Announcing your plans is a good way to hear God laugh” (or something like that). If making plans of our own (presumably in the face of God’s plans for us) is laughable, how about issuing commands to God, telling God the Divine’s own business in no uncertain terms? Who … Continue reading “Psalm 54 Commentary by Karl Jacobson”

It’s difficult for folks involved in ministry to come up with the right words for every prayer we offer. Whether that was the case for the worship leaders and congregation of ancient Israel is hard to say, but with Psalm 54 they have left us with a prayer that remains shrouded in uncertainty over the … Continue reading “Psalm 54 Commentary by James K. Mead”

Our brothers and sisters in the faith before us have provided two important keys for unlocking this psalm. First, there is the heading that says, “A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him after he had gone in to Bathsheba.” Supplied by the editors of the Book of Psalms, these headings often … Continue reading “Psalm 51:1-17 Commentary by James Limburg”

Psalm 51 is, by any measure, one of the best-known and most often read penitential texts in the canon, and, as such, presents both opportunities and challenges for the interpreter. Particularly if read in the context of Ash Wednesday or some other occasion where sin and repentance are particularly in view, this text’s vivid exploration … Continue reading “Psalm 51:1-17 Commentary by Matthew Stith”

Psalm 51 lays bare the depths of the human condition and the equally profound need for the redeeming intervention of God. The Hebrew text begins by attributing this psalm to David when the prophet Nathan confronts him about the affair with Bathsheba.  Most scholars would assign the text a much later date, given striking parallels … Continue reading “Psalm 51:1-17 Commentary by Bobby Morris”

Most psalms picture the supplicant as an essentially righteous person. Yet Psalm 51 presents matters very differently. Plagued by guilt, the psalmist seeks salvation through radical divine intervention. The psalmist longs to be created anew.  Tradition has long counted Psalm 51 among a handful of penitential psalms (Psalms 6, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143). As … Continue reading “Psalm 51:1-17 Commentary by Joel LeMon”

If my commentary on Psalm 50 for the Festival of the Transfiguration (three days ago) is correct, everything hinges on Nathan’s oracle calling David and us to see ourselves as others see us — indeed, as God sees us. “You are the man.” “You are the woman.” We are David. We are Israel (2 Samuel … Continue reading “Psalm 51:1-17 Commentary by Fred Gaiser”

On Ash Wednesday, people in churches, homes, and streets all over the world will receive ashes, beginning a forty-day period the Christian tradition calls Lent. Lent is really a journey that takes all of us to a beautiful destination — resurrection morning — but before we can get there, we have to journey, and we … Continue reading “Psalm 51:1-17 Commentary by Eric Mathis”

A single voice speaks to us in this text. Its words ring of agony, pain, desperation, brokenness, and great remorse. The speaker directly addresses God himself, but God says nothing. Instead, this text invites us to eavesdrop on one side of a two-party conversation with God. Who is speaking? The psalm title identifies the person … Continue reading “Psalm 51:1-12 Commentary by Robert L. Hubbard, Jr.”