April 3, 2026 | Daniel L. Segraves, Ph.D.
On this Good Friday, I encourage you to read Psalm 22:1-22. This is the prayer Jesus prayed on His cross.
This scene is from Season Six of The Chosen. [https://www.facebook.com/InsideTheChosen/]
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March 31, 2026 | Daniel L. Segraves, Ph.D.
Today, I was back on the Urshan University campus to serve as a guest professor for Urshan Graduate School of Theology.
The Urshan campus is about fifteen minutes from our home … ABI is about 500 miles away. But I told the Lord at a recent Sunday morning service that I would go through any door He opened. 🙏🏻
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September 5, 2025 | Daniel L. Segraves, Ph.D.
Since July 1, 2018, I’ve been working on the second volume of my commentary on the Book of Psalms. The first volume, titled The Messiah in the Psalms: Discovering Christ in Unexpected Places, was released in 2007. It covered Psalms 1-72, which comprise Books One and Two of the Psalter.
What took me so long to finish the second volume? Well, I put my work on Psalms on the back burner for a while to write another book titled The Holy Spirit: A Commentary, which in 314 pages explores nearly every reference to the Holy Spirit from Genesis 1:2 through Revelation 22:17. This book was published in 2020.
I contributed a chapter to Oneness Pentecostalism: Race, Gender, and Culture, a book published by The Pennsylvania State University Press in 2023. This book was edited by Lloyd D. Barba, Andrea Shan Johnson, and Daniel Ramirez. My chapter is titled “Andrew D. Urshan: An Eastern Voice in Early Oneness Pentecostalism.”
I also wrote a chapter titled “James and First Century Jewish Christology,” which is scheduled to be published in an early high Christology project together with research by other contributors. Jeffrey Brickle, Ph.D., is the editor of this pending volume.
I’m not immediately certain how many articles I have written since July 1, 2018, for the Pentecostal Herald and Pentecostal Life, along with lesson material for God’s Word for Life. In quite another dimension of ministry, I taught a professional development session for interested members of the general board of the United Pentecostal Church International at the request of Dr. Brent Coltharp, president of Urshan University and Urshan Graduate School of Theology.
There was also the course I taught to students of the French Bible Institute at the invitation of missionary John Nowacki. This required a flight to Paris together with my wife, Susan. An event that occurred during this trip inspired me to write the book The Holy Spirit. I have explained that in another post.
So I have probably provided a sufficient explanation of why volume two of The Messiah in the Psalms: Discovering Christ in Unexpected Places has taken so long to arrive. I would like to make some comments about the new book.
The second volume of my work on Psalms covers the section of the Psalms known as Books Three and Four. Book 3 comprises Psalms 73 through 89, and Book 4 comprises Psalms 90 through 106. There are at least eighteen references to these psalms by those who wrote the New Testament. Numbers of these references are understood by the New Testament to be specifically about the Messiah.
Significantly, the Aramaic word Memra (i.e., “Word”) appears fifty times in these psalms. In at least fifteen cases, the Targums use Memra as a surrogate for the Hebrew Yahweh, which is usually rendered LORD in English translations. This is given considerable examination in view of the use of Logos (i.e., Word) in John 1:1.
I am scheduled to be available for a book signing on Thursday night of the upcoming eightieth general conference of the UPCI in the Pentecostal Publishing House booth at 9:15 p.m.
I look forward to meeting many of you there!
By the way, I have already begun work on volume three, which will explore the messianic significance of Psalms 107 through 150.
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August 7, 2025 | Daniel L. Segraves, Ph.D.
I’ve been keeping you updated on the journey of my second volume on the Book of Psalms from my initial thoughts to the printing press. Now, the press and its digital counterparts are on the horizon.
But there’s a bit more to it than this.
Like all believers, I had long had a certain level of interest in the Psalms. The book was, after all, inspired Scripture. Some of its contents, like Psalm 23, are part of the vocabulary of many of us.
But the day when the enormous significance of this book began to dawn on me was when I sat in a class taught by John H. Sailhamer, a professor widely regarded as a world class Old Testament scholar.
I could hardly believe my ears. According to Jesus, the Psalms are rich with messianic significance (Luke 24:44). From beginning to the end, they point ahead to the coming Messiah. In the New Testament, more than 200 references recall the Psalter.
My fingers flew over the keys of my laptop. I was in the midst of an academic journey, but an academic journey turned spiritual, to earn the Master of Theology degree at Western Seminary. This degree would prepare me for acceptance into the Ph.D. program at Regent University.
Another professor at Western saw the copious notes I was taking and asked if I would be willing to share them.
I had already earned the Master of Arts in Exegetical Theology degree from Western. That degree required a thesis, but so did this second degree.
After sitting in two of Dr. Sailhamer’s courses, I knew my second thesis would be influenced by what I had learned from the Book of Psalms.
The title of my 156 page thesis was “An Application of Canonical-Compositional Hermeneutics to Psalms 14 and 53.”
After graduating with the Th.M., I began work on my first verse-by-verse commentary on Psalms. Its 382 pages examined Psalms 1-72 and were published in 2007 under the title The Messiah in the Psalms: Discovering Christ in Unexpected Places.
But I knew I needed to finish the commentary on all 150 psalms. In addition to the academic component of this task, I have been praying that God would help me to “rightly divide the word of truth” and to understand how the Scriptures testify of Him.
This has led to the second volume which consumes about 250 pages in its examination of Psalms 73-106.
Although I can’t promise it at this moment, it seems very possible this volume will be available at the upcoming general conference of the United Pentecostal Church International. If so, I plan to be on hand to sign copies for those who may be interested.
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July 28, 2025 | Daniel L. Segraves, Ph.D.
Today I emailed all of my finishing touches for the second volume of The Messiah in the Psalms: Discovering Christ in Unexpected Places to Everett Gossard, the book editor for Pentecostal Resources Group.
I have worked on this project for approximately seven years, and my efforts have resulted in a book of over 250 pages, covering Psalms 73-106, with nearly 400 footnotes.
The editor plans to meet with the marketing team later this week to make some final decisions about graphics. I am optimistic about the possibility that the book will be published and available at the 2025 general conference of the United Pentecostal Church International that will meet in St. Louis, Missouri on September 23-26. If so, I plan to be there to meet those who are interested in this, my twenty-second book, and to sign copies for those who wish me to do so.
By the way, in case you’re wondering, I have already started on volume three of my commentary on the Psalter, which will cover Psalms 107 through the end of the book. I don’t want this to be another seven year project, but it may take at least a couple of years!
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February 5, 2025 | Daniel L. Segraves, Ph.D.
I am so happy to report that at 3:43 PM today I received an email from Everett Gossard, Book Editor for the Pentecostal Resources Group informing me that my manuscript for the second volume of The Messiah in the Psalms: Discovering Christ in Unexpected Places has been accepted for publication.
By 4:56 PM I had the contract signed, scanned, and emailed.
I’m thankful for Brother Gossard’s guidance in this project, and I’m already at work on volume 3, which will consist of Book 5 of the Psalter. This consists of Psalms 107-150.
Right away, I have noticed that in this section of the Book of Psalms the Aramaic Targums are replete with the use of Memra, as are Books 3 and 4. The word Memra appears 35 times between Psalm 107 and Psalm 148. My interest is in how Memra is used in the Targums as a kind of interpretative paraphrase for Yahweh, usually rendered LORD in English translations.
I am especially interested to note the use of Memra in Psalm 110:1. This is a significant verse for Christology. It is quoted, paraphrased, or alluded to in the New Testament more than any other Old Testament verse. It is, in fact, the last full verse of the Old Testament quoted by Peter before Acts 2:38, playing a significant role in convicting them and prompting them to ask, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Indeed, the word “Memra” appears in the Targum of Psalm 110:1, giving us guidance to grasp how first century believers may have understood this verse.
When Jesus asked the Pharisees, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” they answered, “The Son of David.” Jesus responded, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ‘? “If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?”
The Pharisees were unable to answer a word. From that day, no one dared question Jesus. (See Matthew 22:41-46.)
I will keep you updated on my progress as I work toward Psalm 150.
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January 1, 2025 | Daniel L. Segraves, Ph.D.
In this, my first post on the first day of the new year, I would like to let you know about the latest developments in my favorite research resource, Logos Bible Software.
From time to time, I am asked what I think is the most helpful Bible software available.
My opinion is based on many years of use in the context of teaching on the Bible college and seminary levels as well as research and writing to fulfill the requirements for the degrees M.A. in Exegetical Theology, Master of Theology, and Ph.D. in Renewal Studies with majors in Christian Theology and History of Global Christianity.
In addition to using Bible software in preparation for teaching in classrooms, local churches, camp meetings, and other venues like Purpose Institute, I find it helpful in fulfilling writing assignments for the Pentecostal Life magazine, “God’s Word for Life,” the curriculum published by the United Pentecostal Church International, and a variety of other ministry opportunities that require writing. I have written twenty-one books and hope to have finished the twenty-second in just a few days.
So what Bible software do I recommend?
Without question, it is Logos Bible Software.
I regularly sit through training sessions to keep up to date on the latest developments in this amazing technology. To take a look for yourself at its current state, you can go to https://www.logos.com. You will discover “The World’s Most Powerful Bible Study Platform.” A “Start Free Trial” is available if you like what you see. If you wish, you can talk to a Logos expert by calling 888-398-9481.
If you’ve ever looked at Logos, you probably have some idea about its capabilities. Today’s Logos does all it has ever done but, in an often-used term, it takes Bible research and writing to “a whole new level.”
I subscribe to Logos MAX. With its thousands of books, journal articles, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and original language resources (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic) available in a moment, I can find what I need to move quickly to complete projects.
The integration of AI enables me to ask questions and receive almost instant feedback based on the resources in my subscription. The responses free me from any concern about the accuracy of my findings because they do not come from the internet at large but from the trusted resources I have selected.
With the New Era of Logos, you will discover tools and resources to supercharge your personal study, teaching and preaching preparation, and academic research. I encourage you to look into this.
I wouldn’t want to be without it!
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December 20, 2024 | Daniel L. Segraves, Ph.D.
At about midnight last night I finished my work on Psalms 93-99. These psalms form a unit focusing on the reign of the LORD. They are well-connected with the creation account in Genesis and with the New Testament by several quotations and allusions, including an extended quotation that clearly testifies to the deity of the Messiah, Jesus. By means of this quotation, Jesus is identified as Yahweh.
Now, on to Psalm 100. One of the first things I did today was to read through Psalms 100-106. When I am finished writing the commentary on these psalms, I will submit the entire document to Everett Gossard, the book editor for Pentecostal Resources Group. This manuscript will cover Psalms 73-106, Books 3 and 4 of the Psalter. It will exceed 200 pages.
I appreciate those who are praying for me as I finish this project. One of the last things Jesus told His disciples before His ascension was that everything written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning Him must be fulfilled (Luke 24:44). I pray that our Lord will help me identify those things written about Him in the Book of Psalms. So far, I have discovered that much of the messianic content of this book is connected with other messianic insights from the law and the prophets as well as fulfillment motifs in the New Testament.
This has been an exciting and rewarding journey, but it will not be complete until I write my comments on Psalm 150:6.
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November 26, 2024 | Daniel L. Segraves, Ph.D.
About four weeks ago, I submitted the manuscript for my commentary on Psalms 73-89 to Everett Gossard, the book editor for the Pentecostal Resources Group, UPCI. On November 6, the Executive Publication Committee met and discussed the possibility of publishing the second volume of The Messiah in the Psalms: Discovering Christ in Unexpected Places. The committee provisionally approved the manuscript, contingent on their review of the entire manuscript once it is finished.
This volume will consist of my research and commentary on Psalms 73-106, Books 3 and 4 of the five books within the Psalter. The third volume will cover Psalms 107-150, the fifth and final book within the Book of Psalms.
Since submitting the manuscript, I have finished my work on Psalms 90 and 91. It has been my goal to complete all the psalms through Psalm 106 by the end of this year. I’m realizing this may not be possible. If not, I have prayed to be able reach this goal by the end of January in hopes of getting this second volume published by the time of the 2025 general conference of the United Pentecostal Church International in St. Louis, my home town.
I deeply appreciate the opportunity to participate in the writing ministry. I love the Book of Psalms and pray that God would give me the ability to rightly divide the word of truth and to understand how the Scriptures speak of Him.
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October 26, 2024 | Daniel L. Segraves, Ph.D.
At about 12:15 this morning, I finished my work on Psalm 90, the first psalm in Book 4 of the Psalter. I had told my wife Susan that I thought I could finish it yesterday, and I almost made it.
The superscription of Psalm 90 informs us it is “A Prayer of Moses the man of God.” It is the only psalm written by Moses, which makes it the oldest in the Book of Psalms. We can’t be sure when it was written, but we can be certain he wrote it before he died! Since I wasn’t able to come up with anything that resembled a close date, I consulted Logos Bible Software’s new AI feature, which assured me that Moses wrote it “by the year 1440 BC.” I’ll go with that.
Since I’m living in 2024, that means Moses wrote the psalm somewhere around 3,464 years ago. That’s why I say it is “a very old psalm.”
When I study the psalms, I always keep in mind that Jesus, just before His ascension, told His disciples, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me” (Luke 24:44, NKJV). He told the Jewish leaders who did not believe on Him, “There is one who accuses you–Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:45-47, NKJV).
I discovered some interesting things in Psalm 90 that point toward the future. Here’s a hint: They involve servants and children. See if you can figure this out. I’ll tell you what I think in the second volume of my commentary, The Messiah in the Psalms. I hope to finish this up and submit it to the editor by the end of this year. I would be happy to see it published before the 2025 general conference of the United Pentecostal Church International, which will convene in St. Louis, Missouri, my home town!
Now, on to Psalm 91, the psalm from which Satan quoted in his attempt to convince Jesus to throw Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple.
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