Psalm 31

Psalm 31
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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Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- IV.42, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
- From Augustine's Exposition on the Psalms.
  - "...in this Psalm the panic of the people of God troubled by the persecution of all the heathen, and by the failing of faith throughout the world, is principally seen."
- Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
- From the Geneva Notes.
  - "The treasures of God's mercy are always laid up in store for his children, even at all times they do not enjoy them."
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
  - "Faith and prayer must go together, for the prayer of faith is the prevailing prayer."
- From Wesley's Notes.
  - "For - Thou hast delivered me formerly, and therefore I commit myself to thee for the future."
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  - "Then the detail of griefs engrosses his attention, till, in the assurance of strong but submissive faith, he rises to the language of unmingled joyful trust."
Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- Commentary, Psalm 31:9-16, Rev. Ben Cremer, A Plain Account 2016
  - "Psalm 31 finds itself among those psalms that raise lament and petition to God in the midst of crisis. Although this psalm is colored with trust and confidence in God, it is clear that the Psalmist is writing from a place of sickness, grief, depression, and persecution."
- "Strength in Exhaustion," meditations on the Psalms by Sylvia Purdie, 2015.
- Commentary, Psalm 31:9-16, Elizabeth Webb, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
  - "Simone Weil’s description of the social degradation of affliction reflects with devastating precision the experience of the speaker in Psalm 31:9-16."
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Stan Mast, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, illustration ideas, 2016.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 31:9-16, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2015.
- Commentary, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, J. Clinton McCann, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
  - "The good news is that God's power is greater and will ultimately prevail. Such conviction and commitment -- such entrusting of self, life, and future to God -- empowers the psalmist to resist and endure, and even to invite others to love God, to have courage, and to have hope (verses 23-24)."
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, Easter 5A, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2014.
- Commentary, Psalm 31:9-16, Jerome Creach, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
  - Psalm 31 is one of three psalms that appear prominently in the story of Jesus' passion.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 31:9-15, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2014.
- Commentary, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 (Easter5A), James Limburg, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
  - "The fact that Psalm 31contains one of the "seven last words from the cross" is reason enough to consider it for preaching. It is in fact possible that Jesus recited the entire psalm or at least longer parts of it, with Luke reporting only this verse."
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 (Easter 5A), Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2011.
- "Shelter in the Storm," John C. Holbert, Patheos, 2011.
  - "Deliver me, the poet cries, because you, O YHWH, are above all things righteous, much more than fair in your dealings with your people. Why, if YHWH is not righteous, what hope can there be for any human righteousness?"
- Commentary, Psalm 31:9-16, Nancy Koester, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
  - The Psalms enrich preaching during Holy Week and Easter, even if few preachers base an entire sermon on the Psalms.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 31:9-16 (Passion Sunday A), Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2011.
- "Ultimate Trust," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2009.
  - "Yes, Jesus died for our sins; yes, he died to set us free from the power of death; yes, he died to make it clear once and for all that God loves us. But just as importantly, Jesus died to show us how to live—how to live a life of ultimate trust, a life that is wholly and completely entrusted to God."
- Commentary, Psalms 31:9-16, Paul S. Berge, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
  - "We enter Holy Week hearing 'Hosannas' from the crowd and move from triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the cross of humiliation."
- Commentary, Psalm 31:9-16, Nancy Koester, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  - "Central to this Psalm is the confession of trust in God. Preachers call their hearers to look upon Jesus' suffering through the eyes of faith."
- "Seeing the Unseen," Psalm 31:9-16, Jeanette Cooper Hicks, Church Health Reader, 2011.
  - "Hicks reflects on an Afghani woman who was cast out of her own home and remembers the cast-out among us.."
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
  - "The theology of this psalm implies that God is responsive to those who call upon God, that it is in God?s nature to deliver and save God?s people when they are afflicted by illness or enemies, and to hear them when they cry."
- Desert Scribblings, Psalm 31, Geoff McElroy.
  - "Lament does two things simultaneously, two things that in many ways we have regulated as unable to coexist: anguish and hope."
- "I Am a Broken Dish," Paul Bellan-Boyer, I heard of a city called Heaven.
  - "The Passion, the suffering servant, the Philippians hymn, all describe one who is an outcast. Insults, bullying, gossip, layoffs, illness, divorce, aging, scandal, rejection. There are so many ways to be out, not in."
- "Save Me Lord, My Trust Is In You," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
- "U2: Unexpected Prophets," Steven R. Harmon, (other resources at) "Singing Our Lives," Christian Reflection, 2006.
  - "Arguably the most successful rock band in the world, U2 not only cries out against injustice, but also dares to imagine an alternative in light of the Christian vision."
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. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Christenson, Randall M., "Parallels between Depression and Lament," Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling, 2007.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Endres, John C., S.J., "Psalms and Spirituality in the 21st Century," Interpretation, 2002.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Lessing, Reed, "Broken Teeth, Bloody Baths, And Baby Bashing: Is There Any Place in the Church for Imprecatory Psalms?" Concordia Journal, 2006.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Martin, Thomas F., O.S.A., "PSALMUS GRATIAE DEI: Augustine's 'Pauline' Reading of Psalm 31," Vigilae Christianae, 2001.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Roberts, J.J.M., "NI?KAHTÎ ... MILLĒB, Psalm 31:13," Vetus Testamentum, 1975.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Scruggs, G. Christopher, "Psalm 31:9-16: Between Text and Sermon," Interpretation, 1996.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Tucker, W Dennis, Jr., "Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16," Interpretation, 2011.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Sermons:
With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Easter 5A, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2011
- "I Am Merely a Broken Dish," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
Drama:
- "Fun and Games," Fred Lane, dramatix.
Liturgy:
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 31:9-16, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2015.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, Easter 5A, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2014.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 31:9-15, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2014.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 (Easter 5A), Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2011.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 31:9-16 (Passion Sunday A), Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2011.
- Responsive Liturgical Paraphrase at The Billabong by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia:
  - Easter 5A
Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Psalm 31:16, Psalm 31:23, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
Hymns and Music:
- 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 31. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymn Selections, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
- "Our Refuge," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn, a new, relevant hymn set to traditional tunes.
- "I Trust in God," lyrics, midi, sheet music, mp3. Stephen J. Pearson, The Psalmistry. See Terms of Use.
- Psalm Settings by Dale A. Schoening, Metrical Psalms.
  - Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16 set to Solid Rock (88 88 888)
  - Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 set to St Anne (CM 86 86)
  - Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24 set to St Anne (CM 86 86)
  - Psalm 31:9-16 set to Passion Chorale (76 76 D)
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