Most of us can probably recall a verse or two from the book of Psalms—something comforting, or words inside a hymn we know. But Psalms is the longest book in the Bible, and tucked inside this same book of scripture are psalms of rage, cursing, and despair that are a lot harder to make sense of.
Today, Dr. Ellen Davis joins us to talk about this ancient, essential book, and describes the Psalms as a kind of script for the full range of human experience before God. The Psalms, she says, expose “all parts of our soul for healing.”
In this conversation, Ellen, who has spent years translating the Psalms, shows us just how expansive this ancient prayer book really is. She calls the Psalms a kind of “First Amendment” for the life of faith: permission to bring everything before God. Even the shape of the book reflects that, with lament gradually giving way to praise by the book’s end. Ellen also takes us beneath some familiar translations with words like nefesh, usually rendered “soul.” Ellen says this actually probably means something closer to our whole embodied self, challenging the idea that our spiritual lives are somehow separate or at odds with our physical ones. It’s another way the Psalms widen our sense of prayer—it’s a vision spacious enough to hold our grief, our anger, our bodies, our silence, and our joy, trusting that all of it belongs in our relationship with God.
Dr. Ellen F. Davis is the Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke Divinity School and the author of several books exploring scripture and the life of faith, including extensive work on the Psalms.
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JOIN WAYMAKERS IN WASHINGTON, DC ON SEPTEMBER 19!
This event is FREE and open to the public (ages 16+), but registration is required. Space is limited especially in the afternoon workshops, so be sure to register now…then invite your friends to do the same!
“Peacemakers Needed” will be a half-day workshop featuring multiple keynote addresses and interactive workshops. You’ll learn practical, skills-based strategies from experienced teachers that can help you navigate interpersonal, interfaith, and political conflict with greater understanding and confidence.
JOIN MWEG FOR A SPECIAL COMMUNITY SCREENING ON SEPTEMBER 17
Join us for a free community screening of “9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero,” a powerful documentary that explores the story behind the rebuilding of Ground Zero and the people who came together in the wake of tragedy to shape a shared future.
This documentary invites us to reflect on resilience, healing, and the importance of community. Through stories of collaboration, remembrance, and hope, it highlights how people from diverse backgrounds worked together to honor those lost while creating a space of dignity and renewal.
Following the screening, attendees are invited to participate in discussion focused on peacemaking, understanding, and the power of respectful conversation. We’ll explore how listening to one another’s perspectives and building relationships can strengthen our communities and inspire collective action.
This event welcomes all community members. Registration is required.
