Bible in a Year · Day 200 of 365
Today’s reading: Psalms 131–134 (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 131
1A Song of Ascents. By David. Yahweh, my heart isn’t haughty, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me. 2Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3Israel, hope in Yahweh, from this time forward and forever more.
Psalms 132
1A Song of Ascents. Yahweh, remember David and all his affliction, 2how he swore to Yahweh, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: 3“Surely I will not come into the structure of my house, nor go up into my bed; 4I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids; 5until I find out a place for Yahweh, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar: 7“We will go into his dwelling place. We will worship at his footstool. 8Arise, Yahweh, into your resting place; you, and the ark of your strength. 9Let your priests be clothed with righteousness. Let your saints shout for joy!” 10For your servant David’s sake, don’t turn away the face of your anointed one.
11Yahweh has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it: “I will set the fruit of your body on your throne. 12If your children will keep my covenant, my testimony that I will teach them, their children also will sit on your throne forever more.” 13For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation. 14“This is my resting place forever. Here I will live, for I have desired it. 15I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16Her priests I will also clothe with salvation. Her saints will shout aloud for joy. 17There I will make the horn of David to bud. I have ordained a lamp for my anointed. 18I will clothe his enemies with shame, but on himself, his crown will be resplendent.”
Psalms 133
1A Song of Ascents. By David. See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! 2It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard; that came down on the edge of his robes; 3like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion: for there Yahweh gives the blessing, even life forever more.
Psalms 134
1A Song of Ascents. Look! Praise Yahweh, all you servants of Yahweh, who stand by night in Yahweh’s house! 2Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Praise Yahweh! 3May Yahweh bless you from Zion; even he who made heaven and earth.
Next · Day 201: Psalms 135–137 →
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.
