Bible in a Year · Day 199 of 365
Today’s reading: Psalms 128–130 (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 128
1A Song of Ascents. Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways. 2For you will eat the labor of your hands. You will be happy, and it will be well with you. 3Your wife will be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house; your children like olive plants, around your table. 4Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears Yahweh. 5May Yahweh bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.
Psalms 129
1A Song of Ascents. Many times they have afflicted me from my youth up. Let Israel now say, 2many times they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me. 3The plowers plowed on my back. They made their furrows long. 4Yahweh is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked. 5Let them be disappointed and turned backward, all those who hate Zion.
6Let them be as the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up; 7with which the reaper doesn’t fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom. 8Neither do those who go by say, “The blessing of Yahweh be on you. We bless you in Yahweh’s name.”
Psalms 130
1A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths I have cried to you, Yahweh. 2Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my petitions. 3If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? 4But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared. 5I wait for Yahweh. My soul waits. I hope in his word.
6My soul longs for the Lord more than watchmen long for the morning; more than watchmen for the morning. 7Israel, hope in Yahweh, for with Yahweh there is loving kindness. With him is abundant redemption. 8He will redeem Israel from all their sins.
Next · Day 200: Psalms 131–134 →
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.
