Posts by Josh Moody

1 Samuel 11-13, Psalm 99, Mark 11:1-11, 2 Corinthians 4 Psalm 99: The beginning of this psalm makes a fascinating contrast with the start of Psalm 97. Psalm 97, verse 1: “The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice;” Psalm 99 verse 1: “The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!” Both are appropriate responses to the reign of the…

1 Samuel 9-10, Psalm 98, Mark 10:35-52, 2 Corinthians 3 Psalm 98: Once more the psalmist calls us to sing in joy to God! We are to sing a “new song.” It is easy to begin to go through life with furrowed brow and hunched back, looking down at your feet and smiling with the corners of your…

1 Samuel 6-8, Psalm 97, Mark 10:17-34, 2 Corinthians 2  Psalm 97: In today’s culture, authority is often seen as something to resist. We assume that the word “authority” carries with it connotations of dictatorship, naked power, illegitimate control, even abuse. But the Bible looks at authority quite differently. Certainly there can be abuses of power and authority.…

1 Samuel 3-5, Psalm 96, Mark 10:1-16, 2 Corinthians 1:12-24 Psalm 96: The psalmist fills his mouth with delight as he savors the opportunity to sing a “new song”! The Bible often encourages us to sing a new song (Psalm 33:3, 40:3, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Revelation 5:9, 14:3). This “new song” is both an expression of…

1 Samuel 1-2, Psalm 95, Mark 9:33-50, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Psalm 95: The psalmist is calling us to sing, and to sing with joy (95:1-2). But why? What is it that should cause us to burst forth with songs of joy, to make a joyful noise? He gives two reasons and one consequence. The first reason is “For…

Ruth 4, Psalm 94, Mark 9:14-32, 1 Corinthians 16 Psalm 94: I remember a song that was often sung when I was growing up called “Shine Jesus Shine.” It’s a good song in many ways, but I suspect this psalm is not usually what we have in mind when we think of God “shining.” When we think of…

Ruth 2-3, Psalm 93, Mark 9:1-13, 1 Corinthians 15:29-58 Psalm 93: We live in times when floods rage and roar. There are wars and rumors of wars. There are difficulties in our own lives, and we read of race tension and struggles around the world. Such things are not unique to our age: perhaps every age has thought…

Ruth 1, Psalm 92, Mark 8:31-38, 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 Psalm 92: Giving thanks to God can seem like a chore for some people. They look down when they are singing to God and rarely will offer any praise interspersed with their intercessions. But, says the psalmist, “It is good” to give thanks to God (92:1). Praising God is…

Judges 20-21, Psalm 91, Mark 8:22-30, 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 Psalm 91: There is a secret to safety even in the midst of danger. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (91:1). Whatever may befall us, whatever dangers we may face, those who make God their “dwelling” will…