Today's bible teaching: Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers

Psalm 1

1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

2

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

4

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

5

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Today's bible teaching: Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me

Psalm 54

1

Psalm 54 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil ^[1] of David. When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, "Is not David hiding among us?"

1

Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.

2

Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.

3

Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life-- men without regard for God. Selah

4

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

5

Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.

6

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.

7

For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

Today's bible teaching: All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him

Psalm 22

1

Psalm 22 For the director of music. To [the tune of] "The Doe of the Morning." A psalm of David.

1

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

2

O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.

3

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. ^[1]

4

In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.

5

They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.

6

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.

7

All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:

8

"He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."

9

Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.

10

From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.

11

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

12

Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.

13

Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.

14

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.

15

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me ^[2] in the dust of death.

16

Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced ^[3] my hands and my feet.

17

I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.

18

They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

19

But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.

20

Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.

21

Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save ^[4] me from the horns of the wild oxen.

22

I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.

23

You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!

24

For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

25

From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you ^[5] will I fulfill my vows.

26

The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him-- may your hearts live forever!

27

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,

28

for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.

29

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him-- those who cannot keep themselves alive.

30

Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.

31

They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn-- for he has done it.

Today's bible teaching: Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling

Psalm 2

1

Psalm 2

1

Why do the nations conspire ^[1] and the peoples plot in vain?

2

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. ^[2]

3

"Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters."

4

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

5

Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6

"I have installed my King ^[3] on Zion, my holy hill."

7

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son ^[4] ; today I have become your Father. ^[5]

8

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

9

You will rule them with an iron scepter ^[6] ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

10

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11

Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.

12

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Today's bible teaching: The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life

Psalm 121

1

Psalm 121 A song of ascents.

1

I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?

2

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3

He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;

4

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5

The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6

the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

7

The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life;

8

the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Today's bible teaching: The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life

Psalm 121

1

Psalm 121 A song of ascents.

1

I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?

2

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3

He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;

4

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5

The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6

the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

7

The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life;

8

the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Today's prayer: Fight those who fight me, O Lord; attack those who are attacking me

Psalm 35 

1 Fight those who fight me, O Lord; *
attack those who are attacking me.

2 Take up shield and armor *
and rise up to help me.

3 Draw the sword and bar the way against those
who pursue me; *
say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

4 Let those who seek after my life be shamed and humbled; *
let those who plot my ruin fall back and be dismayed.

5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, *
and let the angel of the Lord drive them away.

6 Let their way be dark and slippery, *
and let the angel of the Lord pursue them.

7 For they have secretly spread a net for me without a cause; *
without a cause they have dug a pit to take me alive.

8 Let ruin come upon them unawares; *
let them be caught in the net they hid;
let them fall into the pit they dug.

9 Then I will be joyful in the Lord; *
I will glory in his victory.

10 My very bones will say, "Lord, who is like you? *
You deliver the poor from those who are too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them."

11 Malicious witnesses rise up against me; *
they charge me with matters I know nothing about.

12 They pay me evil in exchange for good; *
my soul is full of despair.

13 But when they were sick I dressed in sack-cloth *
and humbled myself by fasting;

14 I prayed with my whole heart,
as one would for a friend or a brother; *
I behaved like one who mourns for his mother,
bowed down and grieving.

15 But when I stumbled, they were glad and gathered together;
they gathered against me; *
strangers whom I did not know tore me to pieces and
would not stop.

16 They put me to the test and mocked me; *
they gnashed at me with their teeth.

17 O Lord, how long will you look on? *
rescue me from the roaring beasts,
and my life from the young lions.

18 I will give you thanks in the great congregation; *
I will praise you in the mighty throng.

19 Do not let my treacherous foes rejoice over me, *
nor let those who hate me without a cause
wink at each other.

20 For they do not plan for peace, *
but invent deceitful schemes against the
quiet in the land.

21 They opened their mouths at me and said, *
"Aha! we saw it with our own eyes."

22 You saw it, O Lord; do not be silent; *
O Lord, be not far from me.

23 Awake, arise, to my cause! *
to my defense, my God and my Lord!

24 Give me justice, O Lord my God,
according to your righteousness; *
do not let them triumph over me.

25 Do not let them say in their hearts,
"Aha! just what we want!" *
Do not let them say, "We have swallowed him up."

26 Let all who rejoice at my ruin be ashamed and disgraced; *
let those who boast against me be clothed with
dismay and shame.

27 Let those who favor my cause sing out with joy and be glad; *
let them say always, "Great is the Lord,
who desires the prosperity of his servant."

28 And my tongue shall be talking of your righteousness *
and of your praise all the day long.

Today's prayer: Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

Psalm 3

1

Psalm 3 A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.

1

O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!

2

Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." Selah ^[1]

3

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift ^[2] up my head.

4

To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah

5

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

6

I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.

7

Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

8

From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. Selah

Today's prayer: Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

Psalm 28

1

Psalm 28 Of David.

1

To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.

2

Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

3

Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.

4

Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve.

5

Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.

6

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.

7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

8

The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

9

Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever

Today's bible teaching: But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God's name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced

Psalm 63

1

Psalm 63 A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

1

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

2

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.

3

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

4

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

7

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

8

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

9

They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.

10

They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.

11

But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God's name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Today's bible teaching: Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him

Psalm 32

1

Psalm 32 Of David. A maskil. ^[1]

1

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

2

Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

4

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah

5

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

6

Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.

7

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

9

Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

10

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

11

Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Gunmen storm Catholic church in Katsina, abduct 2 priests, kill 1

Last night (20/05/2021), St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church Malunfashi, Katsina state - was attacked by unknown gunmen. 2 priests were kidnapped - Frs Joe Keke & Alphonsus Bello. Fr Joe Keke the former parish priest, now in residence is in his late 70s. Fr Alphonsus Bello (parish priest) is in his 30s. This morning the body of Fr Alphonsus was found (lifeless) in the farmland behind the Catechetical Traning School, Malunfashi. The whereabouts of Fr. Joe Keke is still unknown. No contact has been made thus far. 

Today's prayer: Keep me as the apple of your eye God; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

Psalm 17

1

Psalm 17 A prayer of David.

1

Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer-- it does not rise from deceitful lips.

2

May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.

3

Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

4

As for the deeds of men-- by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

5

My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

6

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.

7

Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.

8

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

9

from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10

They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance.

11

They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.

12

They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover.

13

Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

14

O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.

15

And I--in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

Today's praises: Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might

Psalm 21

1

Psalm 21 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give!

2

You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

3

You welcomed him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.

4

He asked you for life, and you gave it to him-- length of days, for ever and ever.

5

Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.

6

Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

7

For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.

8

Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes.

9

At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them.

10

You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind.

11

Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed;

12

for you will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow.

13

Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.

Today's prayer: O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still

Psalm 83

1

Psalm 83 A song. A psalm of Asaph.

1

O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still.

2

See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads.

3

With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish.

4

"Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more."

5

With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you--

6

the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites,

7

Gebal, ^[1] Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre.

8

Even Assyria has joined them to lend strength to the descendants of Lot. Selah

9

Do to them as you did to Midian, as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,

10

who perished at Endor and became like refuse on the ground.

11

Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

12

who said, "Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God."

13

Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind.

14

As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,

15

so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm.

16

Cover their faces with shame so that men will seek your name, O LORD.

17

May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace.

18

Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD-- that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Today's praises: We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds

Psalm 75

1

Psalm 75 For the director of music. [To the tune of] "Do Not Destroy." A psalm of Asaph. A song.

1

We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.

2

You say, "I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly.

3

When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. Selah

4

To the arrogant I say, `Boast no more,' and to the wicked, `Do not lift up your horns.

5

Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.'"

6

No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man.

7

But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.

8

In the hand of the LORD is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs.

9

As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.

10

I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

Today's bible teaching: The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore

Psalm 121

¹I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come?

²My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

³He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

⁴He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

⁶The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

⁷The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

⁸The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.

Today's bible teaching: Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him

Psalm 62

1

Psalm 62 For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.

2

He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3

How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down-- this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

4

They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah

5

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

6

He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7

My salvation and my honor depend on God ^[1] ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah

9

Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.

10

Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

11

One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong,

12

and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.

Today's bible teaching: The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace

Psalm 29

1

Psalm 29 A psalm of David.

1

Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

2

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his ^[1] holiness.

3

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.

4

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

5

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion ^[2] like a young wild ox.

7

The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.

8

The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

9

The voice of the LORD twists the oaks ^[3] and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"

10

The LORD sits ^[4] enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

11

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Today's prayer: Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake

Psalm 79

1

Psalm 79 A psalm of Asaph.

1

O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

2

They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.

3

They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.

4

We are objects of reproach to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us.

5

How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

6

Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;

7

for they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his homeland.

8

Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.

9

Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.

10

Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.

11

May the groans of the prisoners come before you; by the strength of your arm preserve those condemned to die.

12

Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the reproach they have hurled at you, O Lord.

13

Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

Today's bible teaching: The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle; they did not keep God's covenant and refused to live by his law

Psalm 78

1

Psalm 78 A maskil ^[1] of Asaph.

1

O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.

2

I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old--

3

what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us.

4

We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

5

He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children,

6

so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.

7

Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

8

They would not be like their forefathers-- a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.

9

The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle;

10

they did not keep God's covenant and refused to live by his law.

11

They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them.

12

He did miracles in the sight of their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

13

He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand firm like a wall.

14

He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night.

15

He split the rocks in the desert and gave them water as abundant as the seas;

16

he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.

17

But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High.

18

They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.

19

They spoke against God, saying, "Can God spread a table in the desert?

20

When he struck the rock, water gushed out, and streams flowed abundantly. But can he also give us food? Can he supply meat for his people?"

21

When the LORD heard them, he was very angry; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel,

22

for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.

23

Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens;

24

he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven.

25

Men ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.

26

He let loose the east wind from the heavens and led forth the south wind by his power.

27

He rained meat down on them like dust, flying birds like sand on the seashore.

28

He made them come down inside their camp, all around their tents.

29

They ate till they had more than enough, for he had given them what they craved.

30

But before they turned from the food they craved, even while it was still in their mouths,

31

God's anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel.

32

In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.

33

So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror.

34

Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again.

35

They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.

36

But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues;

37

their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.

38

Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.

39

He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.

40

How often they rebelled against him in the desert and grieved him in the wasteland!

41

Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel.

42

They did not remember his power-- the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,

43

the day he displayed his miraculous signs in Egypt, his wonders in the region of Zoan.

44

He turned their rivers to blood; they could not drink from their streams.

45

He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them.

46

He gave their crops to the grasshopper, their produce to the locust.

47

He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamore-figs with sleet.

48

He gave over their cattle to the hail, their livestock to bolts of lightning.

49

He unleashed against them his hot anger, his wrath, indignation and hostility-- a band of destroying angels.

50

He prepared a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death but gave them over to the plague.

51

He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt, the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.

52

But he brought his people out like a flock; he led them like sheep through the desert.

53

He guided them safely, so they were unafraid; but the sea engulfed their enemies.

54

Thus he brought them to the border of his holy land, to the hill country his right hand had taken.

55

He drove out nations before them and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance; he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.

56

But they put God to the test and rebelled against the Most High; they did not keep his statutes.

57

Like their fathers they were disloyal and faithless, as unreliable as a faulty bow.

58

They angered him with their high places; they aroused his jealousy with their idols.

59

When God heard them, he was very angry; he rejected Israel completely.

60

He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent he had set up among men.

61

He sent [the ark of] his might into captivity, his splendor into the hands of the enemy.

62

He gave his people over to the sword; he was very angry with his inheritance.

63

Fire consumed their young men, and their maidens had no wedding songs;

64

their priests were put to the sword, and their widows could not weep.

65

Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, as a man wakes from the stupor of wine.

66

He beat back his enemies; he put them to everlasting shame.

67

Then he rejected the tents of Joseph, he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;

68

but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loved.

69

He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth that he established forever.

70

He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;

71

from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.

72

And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

Today's bible teaching: Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD

Psalm 27

1

Psalm 27 Of David.

1

The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?

2

When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, ^[1] when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.

3

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

4

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

5

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

6

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

7

Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.

8

My heart says of you, "Seek his ^[2] face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.

9

Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.

10

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

11

Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

12

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

13

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

14

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Today's bible teaching: Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God

Psalm 146

1

Psalm 146

1

Praise the LORD. ^[1] Praise the LORD, O my soul.

2

I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

3

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.

4

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.

5

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6

the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-- the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

7

He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free,

8

the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.

9

The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10

The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.

Today's praises: Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.

Psalm 148

1

Psalm 148

1

Praise the LORD. ^[1] Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.

2

Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3

Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.

4

Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.

5

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.

6

He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.

7

Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8

lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,

9

you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,

10

wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,

11

kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,

12

young men and maidens, old men and children.

13

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14

He has raised up for his people a horn, ^[2] the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the LORD

Today's bible teaching: We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield

Psalm 33

1

Psalm 33

1

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

2

Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

5

The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

6

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7

He gathers the waters of the sea into jars ^[1] ; he puts the deep into storehouses.

8

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.

9

For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

10

The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

11

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

12

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.

13

From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;

14

from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth--

15

he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

16

No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19

to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

20

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

21

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

22

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Today's bible teaching: The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand

Psalm 121

1

Psalm 121 A song of ascents.

1

I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?

2

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3

He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;

4

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5

The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6

the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

7

The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life;

8

the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Today's prayer: Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety

Psalm 141

1

Psalm 141 A psalm of David.

1

O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you.

2

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

3

Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

4

Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.

5

Let a righteous man ^[1] strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers;

6

their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.

7

[They will say,] "As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave. ^[2] "

8

But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge--do not give me over to death.

9

Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers.

10

Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

Today's bible teaching: When my spirit grows faint within me, it is God who know my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me

Psalm 142

1

Psalm 142 A maskil ^[1] of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.

1

I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.

2

I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble.

3

When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me.

4

Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.

5

I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."

6

Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.

7

Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

Today's prayer: Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; protect me from men of violence, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day

Psalm 140

1

Psalm 140 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; protect me from men of violence,

2

who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.

3

They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips. Selah

4

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from men of violence who plan to trip my feet.

5

Proud men have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path. Selah

6

O LORD, I say to you, "You are my God." Hear, O LORD, my cry for mercy.

7

O Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle--

8

do not grant the wicked their desires, O LORD; do not let their plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah

9

Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused.

10

Let burning coals fall upon them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise.

11

Let slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down men of violence.

12

I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

13

Surely the righteous will praise your name and the upright will live before you

Today's bible teaching: LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?

Psalm 15

1

Psalm 15 A psalm of David.

1

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?

2

He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart

3

and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,

4

who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts,

5

who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Today's bible teaching: My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD

Psalm 26

1

Psalm 26 Of David.

1

Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

2

Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;

3

for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.

4

I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites;

5

I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.

6

I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD,

7

proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

8

I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells.

9

Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men,

10

in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.

11

But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me.

12

My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD.

Today's praises: Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might

Psalm 21

1

Psalm 21 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give!

2

You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

3

You welcomed him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.

4

He asked you for life, and you gave it to him-- length of days, for ever and ever.

5

Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.

6

Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

7

For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.

8

Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes.

9

At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them.

10

You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind.

11

Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed;

12

for you will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow.

13

Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.