Bible in a Year · Day 201 of 365
Today’s reading: Psalms 135–137 (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 135
1Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh’s name! Praise him, you servants of Yahweh, 2you who stand in Yahweh’s house, in the courts of our God’s house. 3Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant. 4For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself; Israel for his own possession. 5For I know that Yahweh is great, that our Lord is above all gods.
6Whatever Yahweh pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps; 7who causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth; who makes lightnings with the rain; who brings the wind out of his treasuries; 8Who struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal; 9Who sent signs and wonders into the middle of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants; 10who struck many nations, and killed mighty kings,
11Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan, 12and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people. 13Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations. 14For Yahweh will judge his people, and have compassion on his servants. 15The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
16They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see. 17They have ears, but they can’t hear; neither is there any breath in their mouths. 18Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them. 19House of Israel, praise Yahweh! House of Aaron, praise Yahweh! 20House of Levi, praise Yahweh! You who fear Yahweh, praise Yahweh!
21Blessed be Yahweh from Zion, Who dwells at Jerusalem. Praise Yah!
Psalms 136
1Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever. 2Give thanks to the God of gods; for his loving kindness endures forever. 3Give thanks to the Lord of lords; for his loving kindness endures forever: 4To him who alone does great wonders; for his loving kindness endures forever: 5To him who by understanding made the heavens; for his loving kindness endures forever:
6To him who spread out the earth above the waters; for his loving kindness endures forever: 7To him who made the great lights; for his loving kindness endures forever: 8The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures forever; 9The moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever: 10To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn; for his loving kindness endures forever;
11And brought out Israel from among them; for his loving kindness endures forever; 12With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; for his loving kindness endures forever: 13To him who divided the Red Sea apart; for his loving kindness endures forever; 14And made Israel to pass through the middle of it; for his loving kindness endures forever; 15But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea; for his loving kindness endures forever:
16To him who led his people through the wilderness; for his loving kindness endures forever: 17To him who struck great kings; for his loving kindness endures forever; 18And killed mighty kings; for his loving kindness endures forever: 19Sihon king of the Amorites; for his loving kindness endures forever; 20Og king of Bashan; for his loving kindness endures forever;
21And gave their land as an inheritance; for his loving kindness endures forever; 22Even a heritage to Israel his servant; for his loving kindness endures forever: 23Who remembered us in our low estate; for his loving kindness endures forever; 24And has delivered us from our adversaries; for his loving kindness endures forever: 25Who gives food to every creature; for his loving kindness endures forever.
26Oh give thanks to the God of heaven; for his loving kindness endures forever.
Psalms 137
1By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps. 3For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land? 5If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.
6Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you; if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy. 7Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!” 8Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who rewards you, as you have served us. 9Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.
Next · Day 202: Psalms 138–141 →
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.
