... the suffering and faith of the individual worshiper come through the psalm's standardized expressions with great power. This shows the extent to which individual and worshiping community were one in Israel: The community gave voice to the needs and prayers of the individual; the individual gave voice to the trust and traditions of the community.

Hearing the words of Deuteronomy, the preacher is called to make clear what it means to be God's covenant community and to live according to his will rather than the dictates of the surrounding culture.

Behind every sermon lies an understanding of the nature of the Bible; by its contribution to that understanding, biblical studies can make a crucial difference for preaching.

The question is not whether women should enjoy equal status but how that God-given freedom is to be gained-or perhaps better, regained-in a Christian community that needs to be faithful to the liberating message proclaimed by and in Jesus Christ.

Understanding the form and content of the Bible's hymns allows the sermon to share their principal characteristic: praise to the honor and glory of God.