Psalm 138
- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV, Common Worship Psalter, ASB Psalter, and BCP Psalter) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- The Bible Gateway: 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- Historical References, Commentary and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:
- From Augustine's
Exposition
on the Psalms.
- "See how he willed that kings should sing on their way, humbly bearing the Lord, not lifting themselves up against the Lord. For if they lift themselves up, what follows?"
- Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
- From the Geneva Notes.
- "Distance of place cannot hinder God to show mercy to his, and so judge the wicked though they think that he is far off."
- From
Matthew
Henry's Commentary.
- "When we can praise God with our whole heart, we need not be unwilling for the whole world to witness our gratitude and joy in him."
- The Humble
Soul the Particular Favourite of Heaven, Ebenezer Erskine (Puritan, 1721).
- "The character of the gracious soul; he is a lowly person, one that is emptied, and abased in his own eyes. He sees nothing in himself, either to recommend him to God or man: on which account he is sometimes called poor in spirit, Matth. 5:3. He has god something of the mind and spirit of Jesus in him and so has learned of him who is meek and lowly, Matth. 11:29."
- From
Wesley's
Notes.
- "Forsake not - Or, do not give over, the work of my salvation, which is thus far advanced, not by any human help, but by thy power and providence."
- "Faith
in Perfection; Psalm 138:8," Charles H. Spurgeon, 1859.
- "In the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. The word, "me," in the text, cannot be appropriated by any man, unless he, in some respects, resembles the character of David, who penned this psalm. The text, however, itself, is its own guard. If you look at it, you will see that there is in its bowels a full description of a true Christian."
- From Augustine's
Exposition
on the Psalms.
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- Commentary, Psalm 138:1-8 (Pentecost 10C), Rolf Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
- "In other words, 'giving thanks' Old Testament style has less to do with some internal feeling of gratitude and more about sending God a thank you note. And the thank you note that God desires is to tell others what God has done."
-
Commentary,
Psalm 138 (Pentecost +9C), Joel LeMon, Preaching This Week,
WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
- "In light of the description of trouble and the petition at the conclusion of the psalm, the psalmist's confessions about God's authority and character become particularly compelling."
-
Commentary, Psalm 138, James Limburg, Preaching This Week,
WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
- "...according to the Bible, God is both transcendent (far away) and immanent (near at hand). This view of God in terms of extremes is expressed at the center of this psalm..."
- Psalm 138, (Epiphany 5C) The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
- "Thank You, God, For Standing By Me," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
-
Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion,
Psalm 138 (Epiphany 5C), Wesley White. "A place of
conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
- "It takes a village to strengthen a soul."
-
Expository Essay,
Psalm 138, Dr. William R. Long.
- "We can do no better at times than to repeat the well-crafted and confident phrases of the Psalms in our moments of distress."
- Commentary, Psalm 138:1-8 (Pentecost 10C), Rolf Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
- 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.
- Nelson, Daniel M.,
"The Virtue of Humility in Judaism: A Critique of Rationalist Hermeneutics,"
Journal Of Religious Ethics, 1985.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Wheeler, Shanna Powlus, "Lo & Behold: A Psalm,"
Christianity and Literature, 2008. (Poetry)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Nelson, Daniel M.,
"The Virtue of Humility in Judaism: A Critique of Rationalist Hermeneutics,"
Journal Of Religious Ethics, 1985.
- Articles & Background:
- Reviews:
- Sermons:
- With Children:
- "In the Presence of Angels, I Sing Your Praises," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- Drama:
- "The Seven Deadly Sins," Ron Vandenburg, dramatix.
- "Confessing Other People's Sins," Glenn A. Hascall.
- Liturgy:
- Prayers and Meditations, Psalm 138, Timeless Psalms, Joan Stott.
- Responsive Liturgical Paraphrase at The Billabong by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia:
- Graphics, Multimedia & Bulletin Materials:
- Commercial Site: "Mary's Song," video for Advent 3B based on Isaiah 7, Psalm 34, Psalm 138, Luke 1, Luke 2, and 1 Timothy 1, The Work of the People.
- Hymns and Music:
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Psalm 138. The Cyber Hymnal.
- "I Will Sing Praises to My God," lyrics, midi, sheet music, mp3. Stephen J. Pearson, The Psalmistry. See Terms of Use.
- Psalm 138 set to Lobe den Herren (14 14 11 8) by Dale A. Schoening, Metrical Psalms.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of Psalms
