The Psalmcast with Pastor Ollie Bergh

Pastor Ollie Bergh
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Learning to pray with and through the Word. Dive into the Psalms with Pastor Ollie Bergh (ELCA) as we journey through these ancient prayers.

  1. 12/30/2025

    Psalm 3 | Deliverance Belongs to the LORD.

    In this episode of The Psalmcast, Pastor Ollie Bergh guides us through Psalm 3—a prayer born in anxiety and carried by trust. Beginning with voices that claim God has abandoned the psalmist, we listen as the prayer turns toward confident reliance on the Lord as shield, glory, and restorer. Along the way, we reflect on sleep as an act of faith, anger as something handed over to God rather than acted upon, and deliverance as belonging to the Lord alone. Rooted in Scripture and everyday life, this episode invites listeners not just to understand Psalm 3, but to pray it—entrusting fear, rest, and even death itself into the faithful hands of God.   Find out more at http://psalms.blog

    17 min

  2. 10/13/2025

    Psalm 8 | How Majestic is Your Name in All The Earth

    In this episode of The Psalmcast with Pr. Ollie Bergh, we explore Psalm 8 — a hymn of awe at God’s majesty in creation and the mystery of what it means to be human. Pr. Ollie wrestles with Martin Luther’s rich yet sometimes surprising interpretation of the psalm, asking how it reveals both the Creator’s transcendence and the grace that fills all creation. From the cries of infants to the grandeur of the stars, Psalm 8 shows how God’s revealed name — the name that saves — fills the world with glory. Along the way, we’ll touch on themes of natural and special revelation, the dignity of humanity, and how baptism recreates us in Christ, the New Adam. Join us as we marvel together: “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

    31 min

  3. 09/23/2025

    Psalm 2 | The King on Zion

    Psalm 2 is one of the most important psalms in the entire Psalter—royal, prophetic, and deeply complex. It speaks of God’s anointed king on Mount Zion, a promise of protection for Israel, and a foreshadowing of the Messiah. But it also contains troubling language about wrath, power, and violence that challenges our modern understanding of God. In this episode of The Psalmcast, we explore Psalm 2 as both history and eschatology, trace its connections to Psalm 1 and the Davidic covenant, and see how the New Testament reads it as pointing to Christ. Most importantly, we learn how Psalm 2 invites us to pray with boldness—to laugh with God at evil and to take refuge in Christ, the King set on Zion’s holy hill.

    25 min

  4. 07/14/2025

    Psalm 15 | Who Can Enter God’s Holy Tent?

    What kind of person gets to dwell in the presence of God? In this episode of The Psalmcast, Pastor Ollie Bergh guides us through the instructive and deeply practical wisdom of Psalm 15—a “terms and conditions” kind of psalm that calls us into deeper spiritual maturity, not through perfection, but through faith and transformation. From watching our tongues to keeping our promises, even when it hurts, this psalm invites us not just into God’s temple—but into becoming temples ourselves. Visit psalms.blog to learn more and stay connected.

    25 min

  5. 06/29/2025

    Psalm 16 | God is our all in all

    In this episode of The Psalmcast, Pastor Ollie Bergh invites us into the rich spiritual depths of Psalm 16—a mysterious "miktam" of David that leads us to trust in God as our refuge, our portion, and our joy. With theological insight and personal reflection, we explore how this psalm calls us to recognize God as our all in all, to abandon the false gods that vie for our loyalty, and to embrace the resurrection hope promised to God’s “favored ones.” Whether you're new to praying the Psalms or longing to deepen your life of prayer, this conversation will help you see the living God at work in the good around you—and remind you to drink from the cup that God alone gives.

    28 min

  6. 05/19/2025

    How to Pray with the Bible (ft. Psalm 117)

    In this special episode of The Psalmcast, Pastor Ollie Bergh steps back from the usual format of diving into a single psalm to reflect more broadly on the heart of the podcast: learning to pray through the Psalms. Rather than approaching the Psalms as passive readings, Pastor Ollie introduces a practical and spiritually rich method of dialogical prayer — a conversation with God that draws from both the monastic tradition of Lectio Divina and Martin Luther’s distinct approach to Scripture. Using the shortest psalm in the Bible, Psalm 117, as a framework, Pastor Ollie walks listeners through five steps of praying with the Bible: Pray, Read, Chew, Talk, and Wrestle. This episode invites you to slow down, notice what you notice, and engage Scripture not as a study exercise but as a living conversation — with all its personal challenges, encouragements, and revelations. Whether you’re feeling grounded or uneasy, deeply spiritual or spiritually dry, this episode provides a thoughtful, accessible approach to help enrich your prayer life through God’s Word. Join us as we explore what it means to praise, how to listen for God’s voice, and why the ancient prayers of Israel still shape our faith today.

    28 min

  7. 05/14/2025

    Psalm 23 | Trust in the Good Shepherd

    In this 15th episode of The Psalmcast, Pastor Ollie Bergh reflects on one of Scripture’s most cherished and familiar passages: Psalm 23. With insight, warmth, and a touch of humor, he unpacks what it means to live with God as our Shepherd—offering not only protection and provision, but also companionship in our darkest valleys and transformation through love, even in the presence of our enemies. This episode explores how Psalm 23 shapes a life of prayer rooted in dependence, gratitude, and trust, reminding us that God’s goodness and faithful love are always in pursuit, drawing us ever deeper into life with Christ.

    28 min

  8. 04/12/2025

    Psalm 46 | A mighty fortress is our God

    In this episode of The Psalmcast, join Pastor Ollie as we dive into Psalm 46, a powerful reminder that God is our refuge and strength in times of trouble. Exploring its themes of divine protection and peace, we reflect on how this psalm inspired Luther’s hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and how it continues to speak to us today. We also touch on how the psalm’s imagery of a mighty fortress points to God’s defense of His people in the midst of chaos, both in ancient Israel and in the modern world, and how we are called to find refuge in Him. As we unpack this psalm, we connect it to the presence of God in the city of Jerusalem and ultimately to Jesus, our new temple and refuge. We explore the famous line, “Be still and know that I am God,” in its true context of surrender and trust in God’s sovereignty, and how it invites us to find peace in the midst of life’s battles. Join me for a reflective exploration of Psalm 46 and its timeless message of confidence in God's protection. Make sure to check out Mainstreet Lutherans at mainstreetlutherans.com, where Keith and Ben and Ollie discuss the Divine Offices/Daily Prayer.

    24 min
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Learning to pray with and through the Word. Dive into the Psalms with Pastor Ollie Bergh (ELCA) as we journey through these ancient prayers.

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