The Voice of the Lord
Posted on Jan 06, 2026 by Shari Van Baale
When preparing materials for worship each week, I have a chance to read the Psalm, First Reading, and Gospel text multiple times. This week’s Gospel text is the Baptism of Our Lord, and it seems the Psalm and First Reading both tell of what is to come in the Gospel.
The Psalm this week speaks of hearing the voice of the Lord over waters. “The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.” (Psalm 29:3-4)
After reading this, I immediately thought of the way Matthew describes hearing a “voice from the heavens” after Jesus is baptized. “And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ ” (Matthew 3:16-17)
It seems that even the First Reading makes reference to what happens in the Gospel this week. It says, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1) This reminds me of how the end of the Gospel tells of how God is pleased with Jesus. “And a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ ” (Matthew 3:16-17)
I love how echoes of the Old Testament can be found throughout the New Testament. It doesn’t always happen this way, but it seems like all three readings you will hear on Sunday complement each other. I know the Psalm is only read in the first service, but listen to the readings you hear and see what similarities you find.
Shari Van Baale
Salem Communications Coordinator