Bible in a Year · Day 198 of 365
Today’s reading: Psalms 124–127 (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 124
1A Song of Ascents. By David. If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, let Israel now say, 2if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, when men rose up against us; 3then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us; 4then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; 5then the proud waters would have gone over our soul.
6Blessed be Yahweh, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. 7Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare. The snare is broken, and we have escaped. 8Our help is in Yahweh’s name, who made heaven and earth.
Psalms 125
1A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in Yahweh are as Mount Zion, which can’t be moved, but remains forever. 2As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so Yahweh surrounds his people from this time forward and forever more. 3For the scepter of wickedness won’t remain over the allotment of the righteous; so that the righteous won’t use their hands to do evil. 4Do good, Yahweh, to those who are good, to those who are upright in their hearts. 5But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, Yahweh will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be on Israel.
Psalms 126
1A Song of Ascents. When Yahweh brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream. 2Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “Yahweh has done great things for them.” 3Yahweh has done great things for us, and we are glad. 4Restore our fortunes again, Yahweh, like the streams in the Negev. 5Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
6He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.
Psalms 127
1A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain. 2It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his loved ones. 3Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward. 4As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. 5Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Next · Day 199: Psalms 128–130 →
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.
