Bible in a Year · Day 194 of 365
Today’s reading: Psalms 110–113 (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 110
1A Psalm by David. Yahweh says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.” 2Yahweh will send out the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule among your enemies. 3Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth. 4Yahweh has sworn, and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 5The Lord is at your right hand. He will crush kings in the day of his wrath.
6He will judge among the nations. He will heap up dead bodies. He will crush the ruler of the whole earth. 7He will drink of the brook on the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
Psalms 111
1Praise Yah! I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the congregation. 2Yahweh’s works are great, pondered by all those who delight in them. 3His work is honor and majesty. His righteousness endures forever. 4He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered. Yahweh is gracious and merciful. 5He has given food to those who fear him. He always remembers his covenant.
6He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. 7The works of his hands are truth and justice. All his precepts are sure. 8They are established forever and ever. They are done in truth and uprightness. 9He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome! 10The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
Psalms 112
1Praise Yah! Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh, who delights greatly in his commandments. 2His offspring will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3Wealth and riches are in his house. His righteousness endures forever. 4Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous. 5It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment.
6For he will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever. 7He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in Yahweh. 8His heart is established. He will not be afraid in the end when he sees his adversaries. 9He has dispersed, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor. 10The wicked will see it, and be grieved. He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away. The desire of the wicked will perish.
Psalms 113
1Praise Yah! Praise, you servants of Yahweh, praise Yahweh’s name. 2Blessed be Yahweh’s name, from this time forward and forever more. 3From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, Yahweh’s name is to be praised. 4Yahweh is high above all nations, his glory above the heavens. 5Who is like Yahweh, our God, who has his seat on high,
6Who stoops down to see in heaven and in the earth? 7He raises up the poor out of the dust. Lifts up the needy from the ash heap; 8that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. 9He settles the barren woman in her home, as a joyful mother of children. Praise Yah!
Next · Day 195: Psalms 114–116 →
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.
