Author Archives: Corey Sharpe

“Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks” Psalm 137:9).  Old Testament scholars have identified as many as 20 imprecatory Psalms, or Psalms of cursing. They express desires for vengeance, infanticide, and other cruelties. … Continue reading →

Then I called on the name of the Lord:   “Lord, save me!” (Psalm 116:4) The Psalms can sound like a combination of praise and personal testimony. The psalmist recounts an experience that created great anguish. He was near death, and he was … Continue reading →

 “…at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted (Psalm 77:2). Verses 1–9 show desperate prayers in the non-stop reaching out of desperate hands. We find no comfort if we are just waiting for God to grant … Continue reading →

“May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice” (Psalm 72:2). This is an enthronement Psalm – maybe written by David for the enthronement of his son Solomon. May God bring prosperity to the new king. It … Continue reading →

“Surely I was sinful at birth (Psalm 51:5)” David’s sin is against God alone (v. 4)? What about Bathsheba? What about Uriah? God’s law was compensatory, it involved restitution and reparation for wrongs committed, whether intentional or accidental. I’m wondering … Continue reading →

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry (Psalm 40:1).” One obstacle to hearing God is that we misunderstand listening as a passive experience—we can sit and absorb what God says. Uncertainty and disobedience … Continue reading →

We experience forgiveness when we confess sin completely and openly to God. Pride and ignorance get in the way. Sin can lead to anxiety and physical pain, while forgiveness is healing and restoration. We aren’t just loved by God, we … Continue reading →

Psalm: 22:1  – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? The opening words of this Psalm have become so familiar to us from Jesus’ use of them from the cross. It is difficult for us to separate them … Continue reading →

“The law of the Lord is perfect.” – Psalm 19:7. God’s existence is clear from looking at things like the sun (vv.1-6). What can escape the sun’s light? This is what theologians call general revelation. The words special revelation are … Continue reading →

“The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.” Psalm 18:13. We have difficulty imagining God in awe-inspiring terms. God becomes a more a familiar friend than a holy God. God is our helper and friend, but … Continue reading →