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Psalm 119
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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV, Common Worship Psalter, ASB Psalter, and BCP Psalter) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Hebrew Interlinear Bible, WLCv, WLC5, CHES, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Chapter IX, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer version only - 4th cent interpolation.)
  • Chapter V of the Epistle of Barnabas. (ca. 130)
  • Similitude VI.5, Shepherd of Hermas. (c.145)
  • VI.8, VII.1, VII.7, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter VII, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
  • II.VI, IV.XXXVII, VI.V, VII.XXXIV, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • III.46, Against the Heathen, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 318.
  • Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
  • From Augustine's Exposition on the Psalms.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
  • A Godly Man is a Lover of the Word, Thomas Watson, 1680.
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
  • From Wesley's Notes.
  • "A Bottle in the Smoke; Ps 119:83," Charles H. Spurgeon, 1856.
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:9-16, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2018.
  • Commentary, Psalm 119:33-40, Jason Byassee, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
  • Commentary, Psalm 119:1-8, Jason Byassee, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:33-40 Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2014.
  • Commentary, Psalm 119:33-40 | Jon Gildner | A Plain Account 2017
    • "The psalmist is correct, without the gracious gifts of God we are destined to spend our time and energy on worthless things. Without the gifts of God, we are bound to act in ways that harm our neighbor and ourselves."
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2017.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
  • Commentary, Psalm 119:1-8 | Sam Powell | A Plain Account 2017
    • "God's torah contains commands, but, unlike the speed limit, they are not arbitrary. They are the concrete forms in which God's instruction comes to us."
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:1-8, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2017.
  • Commentary, Psalm 119:33-40, Nancy deClaissé-Walford, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
  • Commentary, Psalm 119:129-136, Shauna Hannan, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "While I usually encourage the preacher to stay within the Psalm itself, in this case I imagine if the Psalmist could go on and on about Torah/Word, how much more could we go on and on about Word/Logos/Jesus."
  • Commentary, Psalm 119:33-40, Joel LeMon, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "Students of Hebrew will know that there is something unique about verbs that begin with heh.These heh-verbs verbs convey a sense of causality and are thus called 'causatives.'"
  • Commentary, Psalm 119:1-8, Joel LeMon, Epiphany 6, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "Most modern Christians find Psalm 119 rather difficult to engage."
  • "Seek God's Glory, Not Human Glory," Bob Cornwall, Alternative Lectionary, 2013.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:137-144, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2013.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:97-104, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2013.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:9-16, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2012.
  • Commentary, Psalm 119:33-40, Rolf Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "Together, these seven imperatives along with the eighth, culminating verse, clearly identify the theme of the stanza: desiring God, God's ways, and the Word of God."
  • Commentary, Psalm 119:129-136, Rolf Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "Why not find ways literally to 'embody' this message, using the bodily poetry of the text?"
  • Commentary, Psalm 119:33-40, Cameron Howard, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "To say, 'Teach me, O Lord,' is to acknowledge that God is teacher. In this unit within Psalm 119, God is also leader, turner, confirmer, and giver – giver of understanding and giver of life."
  • Commentary, Psalm 119:1-8, Nancy deClaissé-Walford, Epiphany 6, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "In Psalm 119, then, the instruction of Yahweh is not presented as a strict set of rules and regulations, but a way of life or approach to being that brings one closer to God."
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:1-8 (Epiphany 6A), Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2011.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:33-40 (Epiphany 7A), Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2011.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:105-112, (Pentecost 4A), Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2011.
  • Psalm 119:137-144, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Pentecost 22C, Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "It's a Long Way to the Punch Line," Russell Rathbun, The Hardest Question, 2010.
    • "Is this Psalm satire?  Is obsessive devotion to the law something to be admired or mocked?"
  • "Psalm 119," Nathan Kirkpatrick, Call and Response blog, Duke Divinity School Faith & Leadership, 2009.
    • "...I wonder what word you hear for you in the verse below today. Does the word directed to your heart differ translation to translation? Does the nuance of each translation help or hinder your hearing of a word?"
  • The Old Testament Readings: Psalm 119:97-104, Pentecost 21C. Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
  • The Old Testament Readings: Psalm 119:137-144, Pentecost 23C. Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
  • "Evangelicals and Monastics," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Monasticism Old and New," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2010. (Psalm 119:161-168)
  • "There Is No Health in Us," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Health," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
  • "Irrigating Deserts with Moral Imagination," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Inklings of Glory," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004.
  • "Permanent Things," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Inklings of Glory," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004.
  • "Seek the Will of God," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
  • "Joy, Wellbeing & Health," (Ps 119:2), "Research on Happiness, Life Satisfaction and Health," (Ps 119:2, 35, & 56), "Exercise, God & Your Heart," (Ps 119:32), "Walking in Freedom," (Ps 119:45), "Finding Delight in Times of Stress," (Ps 119:143), Dale Fletcher, Faith and Health Connection.
  • Th. Booij, "Psalm 119, 89-91" Biblica 79 (1998) 539-541. Abstract.
    • "By their content, too, these verses stand out in the text. While elsewhere the psalm speaks of the divine word as addressed, by way of commandments or promises or encouragements, to human beings, vv. 89-91 are about the word by which in heaven YHWH reigns over the world. Meanwhile, the verses in question are not without problems."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
  • Eaton, J.H., "Proposals in Psalms 99 and 119," Vetus Testamentum, 1968.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Moran, William L., S.J., "A Note on Ps 119:28," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1953.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Soll, William Michael, "The Question of Psalm 119:9," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1987.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "A Name to Remember," Psalm 119:49-55, David Zersen, 2 December 2007, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
• With Children:
  • "Let Me Find Life by Walking with You," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "The Story Book," Deb Kimble, sermons4kids.com.
• Drama:
  • "Is This Your Final Answer?" Denise Peterson, dramatix.
  • "Seven Deadly Sins," Ron Vandenburg, dramatix.
  • "Confessing Other People's Sins," Glenn A. Hascall, dramatix.
  • "The Importance of the Bible," Andy Lund, dramatix.
  • "Common Ground," Michael Humphrey, dramatix.
  • "Brain Cramps," Michael Humphrey, dramatix.
  • "The Good Book," John Miller, dramatix.
  • "Larry & the Librarian," Glenn A. Hascall, dramatix.
• Liturgy:
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:1-8, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2014.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:33-40 Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2014.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:137-144, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2013.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:97-104, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2013.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:9-16, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2012.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:105-112, (Pentecost 4A), Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2011.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:1-8, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2011.
  • Responsive Liturgical Paraphrase at The Billabong by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia:
    • Lent B5
    • Proper C24/Ordinary C29
    • Proper C26/Ordinary C31
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Psalm 119:130, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Commercial Site: The Work of the People - Psalm 119 - Films/Visual Liturgy based on RCL texts.
  • A View of Psalms from Myanmar, fine arts project by Ai Doh, at Biblische Ausbildung, Dr. Stephen L. Cook, Virginia Theological Seminary.
• Hymns and Music:
  • “Happy Are Those Who Walk in Your Ways,” an original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, 2008, A hymn celebrating God's law and the longest chapter in the Bible.  Tune:  ASSURANCE 9.10.9.9 with Refrain (“Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!”).
  • “Your Word is Like a Lamp, O Lord,” an original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, 1999, A hymn celebrating the Bible as God's guide for faith and life, useful as a prayer for illumination.  Tune:  CANONBURY 8.8.8.8 (“Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak”).
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • The Seedbed Psalter, with selected tunes for singing.
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Psalm 119. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymn Selections, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • Psalm 119, lyrics, midi, sheet music, mp3. Stephen J. Pearson, The Psalmistry. See Terms of Use.
  • Psalm Settings by Dale A. Schoening, Metrical Psalms
    • Psalm 119:1-8 set to He Leadeth me (LMD)
    • Psalm 119:9-16 set to He Leadeth me (LMD)
    • Psalm 119:33-40 set to Cleansing Fountain (CMD 86 86 D)
    • Psalm 119:97-104 set to Maryton (LM)
    • Psalm 119:105-112 set to St. Anne (CM)
    • Psalm 119:129-136 set to Arlington (CM - 86 86)
    • Psalm 119:137-144 set to Terra Beata (SMD)
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Give Me the Bible
    • Let Every Lamp Be Burning
    • O Word of God Incarnate
    • Open My Eyes That I May See
    • Power in the Blood
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • A View of Psalms from Myanmar, fine arts project by Ai Doh, at Biblische Ausbildung, Dr. Stephen L. Cook, Virginia Theological Seminary.
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Psalms

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