First Epistle to Timothy
Praise the Lord, my soul (Psalm 104)
This psalm praises the act of creation. It is composed as a prayer to God, celebrating what he has done in his creative power. The crucial aspect of this creation account is that the creation is habitable and liveable. It is Lord who guarantees that everything works toward prosperity and life,...
Lord, my heart is not proud (Psalm 131)
Psalm 131:1-3 is a short yet profound passage attributed to David, describing a deep sense of humility, contentment, and trust in God. Psalm 131 teaches the virtue of humility (גָּבַהּ [gavah] and רָמוּ [ramu]) and the importance of trust in God. The psalmist’s refusal to engage in matters...
The First Disciples of Jesus (Mark 1:14-20)
Jesus begins his ministry by proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God which is based on repentance and faith. The story, at this point, focuses on Jesus calling his first disciples, Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, and John, to follow him and become "fishers of men."
Judge Othniel (Judges 3:8-11)
Othniel (עָתְנִיאֵל בֶּן קְנַז, Otniel ben Kenaz) was the first of the judges of Israel. The name Othniel can be interpreted as „Protector of God“ or „Protection (is) God“. Some time after the death of Joshua, the Israelites once again turned to sin and fell under the subjection of...
Behold, how good and pleasant it is (Psalm 133)
Psalm 133 is a short pilgrim psalm attributed to David, celebrating the beauty and blessings of unity among God’s people. It uses vivid imagery to describe how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity. The passage emphasizes the sacredness of communal harmony through two key similes: the...