Today's bible teaching: O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore

 Psalm 131

1

Psalm 131 A song of ascents. Of David.

1

My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.

2

But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

Today's bible teaching: They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer

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: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever

Psalm 73

1

Psalm 73 A psalm of Asaph.

1

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

2

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.

3

For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4

They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. ^[1]

5

They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.

6

Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.

7

From their callous hearts comes iniquity ^[2] ; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

8

They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

9

Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10

Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. ^[3]

11

They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"

12

This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth.

13

Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

14

All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.

15

If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed your children.

16

When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me

17

till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

18

Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.

19

How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

20

As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

21

When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,

22

I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

23

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

24

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

25

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27

Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Today's praises: Praise God with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals

Psalm 150

1

Psalm 150

1

Praise the LORD. ^[1] Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

2

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

4

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,

5

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

6

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. 

Today's praises: Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

Psalm 150

1

Psalm 150

1

Praise the LORD. ^[1] Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

2

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

4

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,

5

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

6

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. 

Today's praises: Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre

Psalm 150

1

Psalm 150

1

Praise the LORD. ^[1] Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

2

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

4

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,

5

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

6

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. 

Today's praises: Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD

Psalm 150

1

Psalm 150

1

Praise the LORD. ^[1] Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

2

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

4

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,

5

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

6

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. 

Today's bible teaching:Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

 Psalm 32

1

Psalm 32 Of David. A maskil. 

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!

Today's bible teaching: You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge

 Psalm 14

1

Psalm 14 For the director of music. Of David.

1

The fool ^[1] says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

2

The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

3

All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

4

Will evildoers never learn-- those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD?

5

There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.

6

You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.

7

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Today's prayer: Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help

 Psalm 30

1

Psalm 30 A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. ^[1] Of David.

1

I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

2

O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.

3

O LORD, you brought me up from the grave ^[2] ; you spared me from going down into the pit.

4

Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.

5

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6

When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken."

7

O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain ^[3] stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.

8

To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:

9

"What gain is there in my destruction, ^[4] in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

10

Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help."

11

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12

that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Today's prayer: Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.

 Psalm 69

1

Psalm 69 For the director of music. To [the tune of] "Lilies." Of David.

1

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.

2

I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

3

I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

4

Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.

5

You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you.

6

May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel.

7

For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face.

8

I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons;

9

for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

10

When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn;

11

when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me.

12

Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

13

But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

14

Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.

15

Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.

16

Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

17

Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

18

Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes.

19

You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you.

20

Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.

21

They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

22

May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and ^[1] a trap.

23

May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.

24

Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them.

25

May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

26

For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt.

27

Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation.

28

May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.

29

I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.

30

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

31

This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.

32

The poor will see and be glad-- you who seek God, may your hearts live!

33

The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

34

Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them,

35

for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it;

36

the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.

Today's bible teaching:It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore

 Psalm 133

1

Psalm 133 A song of ascents. Of David.

1

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

2

It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.

3

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Today's bible teaching:For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.

 Psalm 122

1

Psalm 122 A song of ascents. Of David.

1

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."

2

Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.

3

Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.

4

That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.

5

There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.

6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure.

7

May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."

8

For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you."

9

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.

Today's bible teaching: Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?

 Psalm 77

1

Psalm 77 For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.

1

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.

2

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.

3

I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint. Selah

4

You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.

5

I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;

6

I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired:

7

"Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?

8

Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?

9

Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" Selah

10

Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High."

11

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12

I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

13

Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?

14

You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

15

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

16

The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.

17

The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.

18

Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.

19

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

20

You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Today's praises: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name

 Psalm 100

1

Psalm 100 A psalm. For giving thanks.

1

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2

Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

3

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his ^[1] ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

5

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Today's praises: Praise the LORD

 Psalm 149

1

Psalm 149

1

Praise the LORD. ^[1] Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.

2

Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King.

3

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

4

For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

5

Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

6

May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands,

7

to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,

8

to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron,

9

to carry out the sentence written against them. This is the glory of all his saints. Praise the LORD.

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: Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

 Psalm 24

1

Psalm 24 Of David. A psalm.

1

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

2

for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

3

Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?

4

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. ^[1]

5

He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.

6

Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. ^[2] Selah

7

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

8

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

9

Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

10

Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- he is the King of glory. Selah

Today's prayer: Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

 Psalm 10

1

Psalm 10 

1

Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.

3

He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

4

In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

5

His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.

6

He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble."

7

His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.

8

He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.

9

He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.

10

His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.

11

He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."

12

Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

13

Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?

14

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

15

Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.

16

The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.

17

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

18

defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

Today's bible teaching:The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength

 Psalm 93

1

Psalm 93

1

The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

2

Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.

3

The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

4

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea-- the LORD on high is mighty.

5

Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O LORD.