Guiding Questions: Psalms 139

This is part of the Tanakh Yomi Project.

  1. Is the Psalmist restive at “God examining and knowing him”?
  2. Is there anything that God does not know about the individual (Psalms 139:4-5)?
  3. Would Psalms 139:7-11 imply that the Psalmist wishes to “escape” or only that God’s awareness and concern are omnipresent?
  4. Would Psalms 139:13 imply “determinism” — especially since the word that is translated “conscience” could be understood in a physiological sense, as the note JPS indicates?
  5. Having described himself, his reliance on God, and God’s perpetual concern and awareness, to what does the Psalmist now turn in Psalms 139:19?
  6. Finally, what is the concluding refrain of the Psalmist and what does he ask for if he is “doing anything wrong”?

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    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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Perek Yomi materials originally produced by the USCJ and Dr. Morton K. Siegel.
We are grateful to be able to share this material.

Author

  • favicon of exploring judaism logo

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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