Measurements and calculations of the resonance between the Ly-[alpha] line of magnesium and the 2[ital s][r arrow]3[ital p] transition in neonlike germanium are presented. This resonance is of possible use as part of a resonantly photo-pumped x-ray laser scheme recently proposed which would lase on several 2[ital p][r arrow]2[ital s] transitions between 64 and 89 A in neonlike germanium. Measurements of the resonance are made by three different approaches: one using the electron beam ion trap, the second using laser-produced plasma, and the third on a tokamak. These results are compared with calculations and other measurements. Certain discrepancies are observed with previous measurements which may be due to the partial overlap between oxygenlike and neonlike lines in germanium. The results do show a good resonance between magnesium and germanium, with the germanium line between the two Ly-[alpha] components of magnesium but nearer to the short-wavelength component.