I frequently use the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) in my study and preaching. It is strikingly similar to the English Standard Version (ESV), a version that has become a favorite of many, myself included. There are few things about the HCSB I don’t care for, but the pros substantially outweigh the cons.

My favorite feature of the HCSB is how it emboldens New Testament texts that are direct quotations from the Old Testament. It may be a single line, like “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8), which is a quotation from Proverbs 10:12. In the case of 1 Peter 3:10-12, Psalm 34:12-16 is clearly quoted.

In 1 Peter 3:10-12, Peter gives no indication whatsoever that he is quoting from the Hebrew Scriptures. He makes no reference to Psalms or says nothing like, “It is written…” Paul was prone to doing this, but not Peter. He simply includes it in his epistle and if you didn’t know any better you’d think it was original to the New Testament text. But it isn’t.

What’s my point? The Hebrew Scriptures may be more germane to us than we’d ever imagined.  I love studying the Old Testament, but I’m not certain I’ve always given it a fair treatment as it relates to me. When you begin to see how much of it is weaved into the New Testament text, though, as the HCSB so ably does, it sure makes you think about what you might be missing. Moreover, it most certainly makes you contemplate what the New Testament penman might be suggesting by quoting it. It most certainly has caused me to reflect on these things.