Author: Administrador

James Limburg has described Psalm 8 as “a psalm for stargazers”1 and indeed, it is that. But even more, this is a psalm for soul searchers. The psalm paints the picture of a soul searcher standing alone at night, staring up at the vast expanse of the universe and overcome by a haunting question. The … Continue reading “Psalm 8 Commentary by Rolf Jacobson”

Psalm 8 is a hymn of praise. There are many examples of this type of psalm in the book of Psalms (for example, Psalms 93, 136, 150). But Psalm 8 is unique in at least two ways. First, it is the first hymn one encounters when reading the Psalms straight through. The psalms that immediately … Continue reading “Psalm 8 Commentary by Jerome Creach”

While Psalm 8 is addressed to God, it’s really mostly about us: about the human relationship with the rest of creation and about the right exercise of human dominion. But as the psalm also shows, human sovereignty can only be understood in light of divine sovereignty, in light of what it means to call God … Continue reading “Psalm 8 Commentary by Elizabeth Webb”

This psalm of praise is unique in the Psalter in that it is addressed directly to the Lord throughout. With no asides to the congregation calling them to participate in the psalmist’s praise, no descriptive passages in the third person, nor even any inward conversation on the psalmist’s part (“O my soul”) as are seen … Continue reading “Psalm 8 Commentary by Matthew Stith”

“Who am I?” is one of those questions I’ve asked of God on numerous occasions. “Who am I, God, compared to all this beauty that you have made?” This was my question some years ago while driving through the Canadian Rockies … alone … in a blizzard … in a white car … with no … Continue reading “Psalm 8 Commentary by Shauna Hannan”

Psalm 4 is good for what ails you. People are troubled about many things, but God ‘puts gladness in our hearts.’ Psalm 4 makes a good preaching text any time of year because it offers wisdom and imparts faith. But on the Third Sunday of Easter, it has a special job to do. Psalm 4 … Continue reading “Psalm 4 Commentary by Nancy Koester”

[Thank you to the members of the South Carolina Synod (ELCA) Commission on Inclusiveness for your reflections on this Psalm. Your shared wisdom is embedded in these comments.] You know what it is like to have one of those nights when you are pacing the room, carefully crafting your retort, trying with all of your … Continue reading “Psalm 4 Commentary by Shauna Hannan”

The Gospel reading for this Sunday picks up the story of Jesus after the resurrection. The disciples are gathered together somewhere in Jerusalem. Suddenly Jesus is in their midst. He greets them saying “Peace be with you! Most likely he greeted them in Hebrew, saying, “Shalom Aleichem!” That “shalom” word comes up at the end … Continue reading “Psalm 4 Commentary by James Limburg”

Psalm 2 does little to contradict the common stereotype that “the God of the Old Testament” is a deity overflowing with wrath. The poem uses a variety of synonyms to refer to God’s anger, wrath, or fury (verses 5, 12). It employs a violent image of God’s chosen king using an iron rod to break … Continue reading “Psalm 2 Commentary by Cameron B.R. Howard”

Psalm 2 makes a striking claim: in the face of terrifying threats, God creates and preserves order through God’s anointed one, a righteous messiah. The psalm conveys this central theme through a complex polyphonic structure. In fact, the text of Psalm 2 contains no less than three discrete voices: the voice of God, the voice … Continue reading “Psalm 2 Commentary by Joel LeMon”