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Psalm 8
With thanks to page sponsor 2014:
The Rev. Cynthia Strosahl
Interim Minister
Middle Street Baptist Church
Portsmouth, NH

• 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• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts: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 CXIV, Dialogue With Trypho, Justin Martyr. (c 160)
  • Chapter XV, Discourse to the Greeks, Tatian. (c. 170)
  • I.XIV.8, IV.XI.3, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter XIV, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
  • Chapter IV, Exhortation to the Greeks, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • I.5, I.8, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • IV.3, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • II.27, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 208)
  • III.VII, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 209)
  • IV.21, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter XIX, On the Soul, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter XIV, Chapter XV, On the Flesh of Christ, Tertullian (c. 211)
  • V.9, V.17, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
  • Chapter XVI, Chapter XXIII, Against Praxeas,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • II.III.6, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
  • VI.XLIII, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
  • 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.
  • What is Man? (Ps 8:3-4), What is Man? (Ps 8:4). Sermons by John Wesley.
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  • From The Treasury of David by Charles H. Spurgeon. (1885)
• Contemporary References, Commentary and Comparative Links
  • Commentary, Psalm 8, Paul K. -K. Cho, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
    • "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
  • 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 8, Shauna Hannan, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.
  • Commentary, Psalm 8 | Dr. Carla Sunberg | President, Nazarene Theological Seminary | A Plain Account 2016
    • "Perhaps it is the impending national election here in the United States that has me reading Psalm 47 in a political framework, but I do not know how it can be read in any other way."
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 8, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2017.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2016.
  • Pulpit Fiction, with podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2016.
  • Commentary, Psalm 8, Matthew Stith, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
    • "We are, through Jesus, the adopted children of the household; the objects of God's grace, love, salvation, and sanctification; and ultimately, through him, the image-bearers and stewards of creation that we were created to be in the first place."
  • "Out of the Mouths of Babes," meditations on the Psalms by Sylvia Purdie, 2015.
  • Commentary, Psalm 8, Elizabeth Webb, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "While Psalm 8 is addressed to God, it's really mostly about us: about the human relationship with the rest of creation and about the right exercise of human dominion."
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 8, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2014.
  • Those wanting to preach on Psalm 8 and who use a video projector in their sanctuaries will find the awesome beginning of Contact a great addition. This approximately 4-minute clip starts with a NASA view of Earth: we hear the voices and sounds of TV shows, and then as the camera starts moving away from Earth faster than light, we hear radio broadcasts—of old shows, the voices of FDR and Hitler, and more. The sounds fade away as we move beyond the Solar System, pass through star systems, nebulae and galaxies. With careful rehearsing you could show this sequence as the Psalm is read: makes for an impressive backdrop.
    Of the current movies in which a team is sent out to accomplish a mission the new X-Men: Days of Future Past is probably most relevant. The theme of being called and sent, however, is probably best seen in the first of the series X-Men in which teacher Charles Xavier sees that each of the mutants should use the gift, not for his or her own advantage, but for fighting injustice and crime. Another recent film is The Monuments Men about a WW 2 team of soldiers with the important mission of saving art treasures from destruction by the Nazis. - Ed Mc Nulty, Visual Parables
  • Commentary, Psalm 8, Jerome Creach, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
    • "Just as God’s majesty begins and ends the psalm, so also it creates the context for human glory."
  • "Overcoming Epistemology," Mark Ryan, Ekklesia Project, 2013.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 8, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2013.
  • Commentary, Psalm 8, Pentecost 18, Rolf Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
    • "God may hold the whole world in God's hands, but God has entrusted everything under our feet to our care."
  • Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
  • Commentary, Psalm 8, Fred Gaiser, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
    • "A problem with our hearing of Psalm 8, as with so many other biblical texts, may be our affluence."
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 8, (Trinity A), Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2011.
  • "And God Said," Peter Lockhart, Reflections on Faith and Spirituality, 2011.
  • Commentary, Psalm 8, Kathryn Schifferdecker, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
    • "'Are We Alone?' asks the December 2009 issue of National Geographic, against the backdrop of a sky billowing with stars..."
  • Commentary, Psalm 8, Fred Gaiser, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "A problem with our hearing of Psalm 8, as with so many other biblical texts, may be our affluence."
  • Psalm 8 (Trinity C), The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
    • "As a hymn the psalm invites praise and wonder and a sermon on the psalm should seek to foster those very things as much as, or even more than, explore its questions."
  • "The Poetry of Creation," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
  • "Faithful Criticism of Popular Media Technologies," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Virtual Lives," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2012. Focus article: "Faithful Criticism of Popular Media Tehcnologies," by Robert H. Woods, Jr. and Paul D. Patton. (Psalm 8:3-5)
  • "First Things First," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Catechesis," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
  • "Cloning Facts and Fictions," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Cloning," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2005.
  • "Our God Is Awesome!" Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Psalm 8, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
  • Psalm 8, Joel Smeby, Prayer in Downtown, 2010.
  • "The Prayers of the Psalter," Henry Wansbrough, Introduction to the Psalms. (Scroll down for information about this Psalm.)
  • Environmental & earth-centered reflections, by Rev John Gibbs, from the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota Environmental Stewardship Commission.
    • "God’s glory is never at the expense of human dignity and worth."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "Hand-crafted World," Katie Munnik, Presbetyerian Record, 2012.
    • Psalm 8 at the messy table.
  • "What Are Human Beings?" Carl Schultz, Houghton College.
    • "This question of Psalm 8 is located in the context of the physical world. Psalm 8 is a night liturgy, reference only being made to the night sky, against which vastness the worshipper feels insignificant."
• 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.
  • Abrahams, Samuel P., "Toward a Balanced Perspective of Creation," Journal of the Interdenominational Theological Center, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Bird, Phyllis, "'Bone of My Bone and Flesh of My Flesh,'" Theology Today, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Childs, Brevard S., "Psalm 8 in the Context of the Christian Canon," Interpretation, 1969.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Edgerton, W. Dow, "Asking about Who We Are," Theology Today, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Guthrie, George H. and Russell D. Quinn, "A Discourse Analysis of the Use of Psalm 8:4-6 in Hebrews 2:5-9," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hinson-Hasty, Elizabeth, "Between Text and Sermon: Psalm 8," Interpretation, 2005. See also other articles in Interpretation, October 2005 issue, The Image of God.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kelly, Caroline M., "A Little Lower than God," Journal for Preachers, 2008. (Sermon)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Mays, James L., "What Is A Human Being? Reflections on Psalm 8," Theology Today, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Morgenstern, Julian, "Psalms 8 and 19A," Hebrew Union College Annual, 1945/46.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Nordin, John, "Preaching Psalm 8," Currents in Theology and Mission, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Pitkin, Barbara, "Between Text and Sermon: Psalm 8:1-2," Interpretation, 2001. See also the rest of this issue: The Child, Interpretation, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ralls, Mark, "Mindful," The Christian Century, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Smith, Mark S., "Psalm 8:2b-3: New Proposals for Old Problems," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Tate, Marvin, "An Exposition of Psalm 8," Perspectives in Religious Studies, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Tubbs, James B., "Humble Dominion," Theology Today, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Whitekettle, Richard, "Taming the Shrew, Shrike, and Shrimp: The Form and Function of Zoological Classification in Psalm 8," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Williams, Michael, "Man and Beast," Presbyterion, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Wyckoff, Chris, "Have We Come Full Circle Yet? Closure, Psycholinguistics, and Problems of Recognition with the Inclusio," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Psalm 8," Nathan Mattox, First United Church, Morris, Oklahoma.
• With Children:
  • "Lunar Eclipse," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
  • "O Lord, Our Lord, How Excellent Is Thy Name in All the Earth," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "March with Palm Branches All the Way to the Altar," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
• Drama:
  • "The Whole Ocean in a Glass of Water," Tom Woodley, dramatix.
• Liturgy:
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 8, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2017.
  • Responsive Liturgical Paraphrase at The Billabong by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • Trinity A
    • Trinity C
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • The Seedbed Psalter, with selected tunes for singing.
  • “At The Dawn of Your Creation” an original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, 2008, based on Creation story in Genesis 1, Palm 8 and the call to care for creation.  Tune:  HYMN TO JOY 8.7.8.7 D (“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”).
  • "O God, the Great, Wide Seas are Yours" Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Psalm 8. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • "Your Fingerprint," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn, a new, relevant hymn set to traditional tunes.
  • "Lord, O Lord, How Majestic Is Your Name," (Psalm 8), lyrics, midi, sheet music, mp3. Stephen J. Pearson, The Psalmistry. See Terms of Use.
  • Psalm 8 set to Ar Hyd Y Nos (84 84 88 84) by Dale A. Schoening, Metrical Psalms.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Creation
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Psalms

• INDEX BY SCRIPTURE
• PODCASTS
• NARRATIVE LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• DAILY LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• FESTIVALS/SPECIAL DAYS (includes Creation)
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF VIOLENCE
• PEACE RESOURCES
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF NATURAL DISASTER

• Year C
• Maundy Thurs Apr 14
• Good Friday Apr 15
• Easter Day Apr 17
• Easter 2 Apr 24
• Easter 3 May 1
• Easter 4 May 8
• Easter 5 May 15
• Easter 6 May 22
• Ascension May 26
• Easter 7 May 29
• Pentecost June 5
  

• Calendars
• YEAR A
• YEAR B
• YEAR C

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