Bible in a Year · Day 180 of 365
Today’s reading: Psalms 61–64 (4 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 61
1For the Chief Musician. For a stringed instrument. By David. Hear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer. 2From the end of the earth, I will call to you, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy. 4I will dwell in your tent forever. I will take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah. 5For you, God, have heard my vows. You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6You will prolong the king’s life; his years shall be for generations. 7He shall be enthroned in God’s presence forever. Appoint your loving kindness and truth, that they may preserve him. 8So I will sing praise to your name forever, that I may fulfill my vows daily.
Psalms 62
1For the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him. 2He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress — I will never be greatly shaken. 3How long will you assault a man, would all of you throw him down, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence? 4They fully intend to throw him down from his lofty place. They delight in lies. They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. 5My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him.
6He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be shaken. 7With God is my salvation and my honor. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah. 9Surely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath. 10Don’t trust in oppression. Don’t become vain in robbery. If riches increase, don’t set your heart on them.
11God has spoken once; twice I have heard this, that power belongs to God. 12Also to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, for you reward every man according to his work.
Psalms 63
1A Psalm by David, when he was in the desert of Judah. God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water. 2So I have seen you in the sanctuary, watching your power and your glory. 3Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you. 4So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name. 5My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips,
6when I remember you on my bed, and think about you in the night watches. 7For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings. 8My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up. 9But those who seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. 10They shall be given over to the power of the sword. They shall be jackal food.
11But the king shall rejoice in God. Everyone who swears by him will praise him, for the mouth of those who speak lies shall be silenced.
Psalms 64
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy. 2Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the noisy crowd of the ones doing evil; 3who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and aim their arrows, deadly words, 4to shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly. 5They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, “Who will see them?”
6They plot injustice, saying, “We have made a perfect plan!” Surely man’s mind and heart are cunning. 7But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow. 8Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads. 9All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done. 10The righteous shall be glad in Yahweh, and shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him!
Next · Day 181: Psalms 65–67 →
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.
