Psalm 139

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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.
  • 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• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • "Omniscient," Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit.
  • Chapter XXVIII of The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Clement of Rome (ca. 96).
  • Similitude VII, Shepherd of Hermas. (c.145)
  • IV.22, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter XV, On the Soul, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • IV.Summary.35, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen / Rufinus (c.230)
  • On the Lapsed -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 251)
  • From Augustine's Exposition on the Psalms.
  • Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
  • From Wesley's Notes.
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, Nancy deClaissé-Walford, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "In any time, in any place where the faithful face wickedness, bloodshed, and deceit, the words of Psalm 139 provide comforting assurance of God's sovereign creation of, and care for, each person."
  • Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, Epiphany 2, The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Howard Wallace Audrey Schindler, Morag Logan, Paul Tonson, Lorraine Parkinson, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
    • "Psalm 139 is something of an exception in the Old Testament, speaking strongly and positively about the individual."
  • Commentary, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-14, Anne E. Streaty-Wimblerly, The African American Lectionary, 2008.
    • "This text narrates a religious encounter with God that affirms human worth. It invites what may be called celebratory education, that which builds up our knowledge of the faith found in scripture, and leads us out to live with assurance of our valued identity."
  • Environmental & earth-centered reflections from the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota Environmental Stewardship Commission.
    • "No matter what stumbling blocks we have before us, the psalmist  reminds us God is with us in the midst of them."
  • "The Human Embryo in Christian Tradition," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Cloning," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2005.
  • "Eating Well," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Health," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
  • "Searched and Known," Expository Essay, Dr. William R. Long. Part 2.
    • "Most of wish that the psalm ended with v. 18. Indeed, the lectionary text ends there, but the psalm keeps going. We don't like the spirit of hatred expressed in vv. 19-22."
• Articles & Background:
  • "Dying Well," Abigail Rian Evans, (other resources at) "Health," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
    • "Dying well begins with our perspective on life and living well."
  • "The Logic and Lyric of Contrition," Robert C. Roberts, Wheaton College. Theology Today, July 1993.
    • "Penitence is a solidity of character nurtured by action after action, insight after insight, that consolidate the self in the terms of contrition...an emotion (I call it contrition) is the centerpiece and moving force of the process of repentance and the formation of a new self."
  • "Body Imagery in Psalm 139 and its Significance for Biblical Anthropology," Christl Maier, Lectio Difficilior: European Journal for Feminist Exegesis, 2/2001.
    • "A theological anthropology, no matter if it argues from an exegetical, historical, systematic or practical viewpoint, cannot disregard the relationship between God and humankind."
  • "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made," LeDayne McLeese Polaski, (other resources at) "Children," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
  • "A Journey of Return," Dan Wakefield. Theology Today, 1990.
    • "As I thought and read about these things and wanted to know more about prayer and meditation and how all this related to the rest of my life, I talked with my minister .... With the minister's help, I sought out a person .... [and] I was thrilled when the spiritual director turned out to be a nun. I hoped she might give me some clandestine Catholic formula.... So I went to see her and got out my notebook to take down instructions, eager to do anything she advised, even if it involved beads and incense (artifacts terrifying to the imagination of a boy once dunked as a Baptist). She told me to go look at a tree."
  • "A Spiritual Guide for the Jewish Patient," by Dr. David R. Blumenthal, Professor of Judaic Studies, Emory University.
    • "The Jewish patient should begin by realizing that, while his or her doctors are doing everything within their power to heal her or his illness -- and it is a positive commandment from God for the doctor to heal -- doctors do not control our ultimate destiny. With that realization, the Jewish sick person should turn to God, the great Power that is beyond this universe, and seek help and solace. There are many texts; we need to know them and use them."
  • "Three is Not Enough: Jewish Reflections on Trinitarian Thinking," by Dr. David R. Blumenthal, Professor of Judaic Studies, Emory University.
    • "Philosophic rabbinic Judaism, which begins in the ninth century, first raised the systematic question of God language. Which words, the philosophers asked, are to be taken literally -- that is, which words have truth value as descriptors of, and modes of address to, God?"
  • "How We Imagine God Matters," Marcus Borg. beliefnet.
    • "It's normal to personify God in worship and devotion. But we shouldn't take these personifications literally."
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  • Booij, Th., "Psalm CXXXIX: Text, Syntax, Meaning," Vetus Testamentum, 2005.
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  • Brown, William P., "Psalm 139: The Pathos of Praise," Interpretation, 1996.
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  • Collins, C. John, "Psalm 139:14 - 'Fearfully and Wonderfully Made'?" Presbyterion, 1999.
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  • Dorgan, Sister Margaret Dorgan, D.C.M., "The Ageing Body," The Living Pulpit, 2006.
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  • Harmon, Steven R., "Theology Proper and the Proper Way to Pray: An Exposition of Psalm 139," Review & Expositor, 2007.
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  • Holman, Jan, "The Structure of Psalm 139," Vetus Testamentum, 1971.
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  • Rice, Gene, "Psalm 139: A Diary of the Inward Odyssey," Journal of Religious Thought, 1980/81.
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  • Rice, Gene, "The Integrity of the Text of Psalm 139:20b," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1984.
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  • Roberts, Robert C., "The Logic and Lyric of Contrition," Theology Today, 1993.
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  • Shinn, Roger L., "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made," The Living Pulpit, 2006.
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  • Wakefield, Dan, "A Journey of Return," Theology Today, 1990.
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  • Young, E. J., "The Background of Psalm 139," Bulletin of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1965.
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• Reviews:
• Sermons:
  • "The Essence of God's Presence," Rev. Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2008.
  • "When God Goes on Leave of Absence," Dr. Lewis Smedes, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1996.
  • "The Escape from God," Paul Tillich, from The Shaking of the Foundations, 1955. At Religion Online.
• With Children:
  • "I'm So Wonderfully Made," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "You Have Looked Deep Within My Heart," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
• Drama:
• Liturgy:
  • Responsive Liturgical Paraphrase at The Billabong by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia:
    • Proper A11/Ordinary A16
    • Epiphany B2
    • Proper B4/Ordinary B9
    • Proper C18/Ordinary C23
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Psalm 139:11-12, Psalm 139:11-12, Psalm 139:13-16, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Psalm 139. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymn Selections, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • "You Know My Soul," Psalm 139, six-part mixed choir, Michael E. Ekbladh, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • "You Are There, You Are There," lyrics, midi, sheet music, mp3. Stephen J. Pearson, The Psalmistry.
  • Psalm Settings by Dale A. Schoening, Metrical Psalms
    • Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 set to Maryton (LM)
    • Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 set to Dix (77 77 77)
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Have Thine Own Way, Lord
    • I Sing the Mighty Power of God
  • The Psalmistry: Psalm  139 - All Psalms Music: original Christian sheet music, lyrics, guitar chords, midi, mp3 files for all 150 Psalms. See Terms of Use.
• 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