Bible in a Year · Day 168 of 365
Today’s reading: Psalms 24–26 (3 chapters)
Read the passage below, or open your own Bible and follow along. The text here is the World English Bible, a public-domain translation, printed in full so the day’s reading is all on one page.
About Psalms
The Psalms are the Bible's prayer book, one hundred and fifty songs and poems gathered into five books. They cover more emotional ground than any other part of Scripture: praise, complaint, rage, repentance, trust, and silence. Some were written by David and carry the marks of his life, others come from temple worship or later editors, and many were sung by the congregation rather than read alone. Taken together they teach a person how to speak to God when everything is going well and when it is not. Many of them do not resolve neatly, which is part of their honesty.
What to watch for. Watch how many psalms begin in distress and end in praise, and how many do not. Notice the psalmists addressing God directly rather than talking about him, and let the complaints be as instructive as the thanksgiving.
Psalms 24
1A Psalm by David. The earth is Yahweh’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein. 2For he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the floods. 3Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place? 4He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. 5He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh, righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face — even Jacob. Selah. 7Lift up your heads, you gates! Be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in. 8Who is the King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle. 9Lift up your heads, you gates; yes, lift them up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in. 10Who is this King of glory? Yahweh of Armies is the King of glory! Selah.
Psalms 25
1By David. To you, Yahweh, do I lift up my soul. 2My God, I have trusted in you. Don’t let me be shamed. Don’t let my enemies triumph over me. 3Yes, no one who waits for you shall be shamed. They shall be shamed who deal treacherously without cause. 4Show me your ways, Yahweh. Teach me your paths. 5Guide me in your truth, and teach me, For you are the God of my salvation, I wait for you all day long.
6Yahweh, remember your tender mercies and your loving kindness, for they are from old times. 7Don’t remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. Remember me according to your loving kindness, for your goodness’ sake, Yahweh. 8Good and upright is Yahweh, therefore he will instruct sinners in the way. 9He will guide the humble in justice. He will teach the humble his way. 10All the paths of Yahweh are loving kindness and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11For your name’s sake, Yahweh, pardon my iniquity, for it is great. 12What man is he who fears Yahweh? He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose. 13His soul shall dwell at ease. His offspring shall inherit the land. 14The friendship of Yahweh is with those who fear him. He will show them his covenant. 15My eyes are ever on Yahweh, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16Turn to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted. 17The troubles of my heart are enlarged. Oh bring me out of my distresses. 18Consider my affliction and my travail. Forgive all my sins. 19Consider my enemies, for they are many. They hate me with cruel hatred. 20Oh keep my soul, and deliver me. Let me not be disappointed, for I take refuge in you.
21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. 22Redeem Israel, God, out all of his troubles.
Psalms 26
1By David. Judge me, Yahweh, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted also in Yahweh without wavering. 2Examine me, Yahweh, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind. 3For your loving kindness is before my eyes. I have walked in your truth. 4I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites. 5I hate the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.
6I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will go about your altar, Yahweh; 7that I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard, and tell of all your wondrous deeds. 8Yahweh, I love the habitation of your house, the place where your glory dwells. 9Don’t gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men; 10in whose hands is wickedness, their right hand is full of bribes.
11But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Redeem me, and be merciful to me. 12My foot stands in an even place. In the congregations I will bless Yahweh.
Next · Day 169: Psalms 27–29 →
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public-domain translation. Day numbering follows the calendar year; you can start at Day 1 on any date.
