Bible Reading Plan

Author: Jon Green

  • Proverbs 2

    Proverbs 2

    Read Proverbs 2

    Moral Benefits of Wisdom

    My son, if you accept my words
        and store up my commands within you,
    2 turning your ear to wisdom
        and applying your heart to understanding—
    3 indeed, if you call out for insight
        and cry aloud for understanding,
    4 and if you look for it as for silver
        and search for it as for hidden treasure,
    5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
        and find the knowledge of God.
    6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
        from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
    7 He holds success in store for the upright,
        he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
    8 for he guards the course of the just
        and protects the way of his faithful ones.

    9 Then you will understand what is right and just
        and fair—every good path.
    10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
        and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
    11 Discretion will protect you,
        and understanding will guard you.

    12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
        from men whose words are perverse,
    13 who have left the straight paths
        to walk in dark ways,
    14 who delight in doing wrong
        and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
    15 whose paths are crooked
        and who are devious in their ways.

    16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,
        from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
    17 who has left the partner of her youth
        and ignored the covenant she made before God.
    18 Surely her house leads down to death
        and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
    19 None who go to her return
        or attain the paths of life.

    20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
        and keep to the paths of the righteous.
    21 For the upright will live in the land,
        and the blameless will remain in it;
    22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
        and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

    Go Deeper

    The NIV translation titles this section of Scripture “Moral Benefits to Wisdom.” In other words, Proverbs 2 is telling us why wisdom really matters. If we know that the book of Proverbs is an entire book on wisdom, then we must understand why seeking wisdom matters to know the value this part of Scripture holds.

    Proverbs 2:5 tells us that if we search for wisdom, “… then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Why does wisdom matter to us? Because it helps us know God more. Wisdom is when our eyes are opened to who God is and what God sees, changing the way we live our lives.

    This chapter also reminds us that wisdom comes from God, and that He freely gives us wisdom when we seek it. He doesn’t withhold wisdom, giving it only to specific people, but wants each of us to know him and trust him. God invites us into Scripture so that we can understand more of His heart toward us, so we can walk with Him, and so we can experience abundant life. Psalm 119:68 says, “You are good and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.” As we walk in knowing God more, our eyes are opened to His goodness on display around us.

    Through gaining wisdom, we look different and live differently than the world. We walk in a way that reflects God to the world around us, seeking justice and righteousness. With wisdom, we are able to discern between what is evil and a distorted image of God, and live out God’s best. Wisdom allows us to experience the abundant goodness of God, and it allows others to see God through us. Proverbs 2 tells us that “discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” Through wisdom, God invites us into seeing the world the way He sees it. While we do not see and know all that God can see and know, wisdom is a piece of His right perspective that gives us hope and trust as we wait for His complete redemption. This hope guards us as we walk and wait for Christ’s return.

    Through the book of Proverbs, may our eyes be opened to know more of who God is and His heart toward us. May we seek Him and gain wisdom to live as salt and light in the dark world around us.

    Questions

    1. What does this passage teach you about God? What does it teach you about humanity?
    2. While reading through the book of Proverbs, how can you be intentional about seeking wisdom?
    3. How have you seen the benefit of wisdom in your life or in someone else’s life?

    Keep Digging

    Check out this article from GotQuestions.org that gives us a deeper dive into the importance of godly wisdom.

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  • Proverbs 1 + Introduction

    Proverbs 1 + Introduction

    Proverbs Overview

    The book of Proverbs, similar to Psalms and Ecclesiastes, is categorized as wisdom literature in the Bible. Written (mostly) by King Solomon, the son of King David, this book is full of sayings, instructions, and principles meant to tell its readers how to live. While other books might focus on deep theological truths (like Romans) or outline a historical narrative (like Genesis or Acts), this book is full of practical guidance. While Proverbs doesn’t necessarily give us an exhaustive list of what to do and not to do, it does give us principles to live by. 

    The origin of this book takes place in 1 Kings 3 when Solomon, with humility, asked God for wisdom in leading the Kingdom of Israel. God ultimately granted Solomon wisdom (along with more wealth and material possessions than anyone on earth–but for more on that, read Ecclesiastes). As this book unfolds, you’ll see that wisdom on display through practical sayings and entire chapters overflowing with images and metaphors.

    Chuck Swindoll, a pastor and theologian, said this about understanding Proverbs: 

    “Proverbs contains some of the most applicable nuggets of truth in all of the Bible. Most of the proverbs are pithy statements brimming over with imagery from the real world. This approach allows us to see very clearly how any particular proverb might be applied to any number of everyday situations we encounter—from getting out of bed in the morning to building a strong foundation in our relationships with others.”

    As we read this book to begin a new year, note that we are going to go straight through with new readings each day, skipping our normal Sunday rest day format. Some days we’ll focus on the whole of what’s happening in a chapter, while other days it may be as simple as a sentence or two that we can all apply to our lives. As you read, take notes. Highlight the proverbs that stick out most to you. Commit some of them to memory. Most importantly, ask God to grow your understanding of Him through these words that we will read together over the next 31 days. 

    Read Proverbs 1

    Purpose and Theme

    1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

    2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
        for understanding words of insight;
    3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
        doing what is right and just and fair;
    4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a]
        knowledge and discretion to the young—
    5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
        and let the discerning get guidance—
    6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
        the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b]

    7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
        but fools[c] despise wisdom and instruction.

    Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

    Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

    8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
        and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
    9 They are a garland to grace your head
        and a chain to adorn your neck.

    10 My son, if sinful men entice you,
        do not give in to them.
    11 If they say, “Come along with us;
        let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
        let’s ambush some harmless soul;
    12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
        and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
    13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
        and fill our houses with plunder;
    14 cast lots with us;
        we will all share the loot”—
    15 my son, do not go along with them,
        do not set foot on their paths;
    16 for their feet rush into evil,
        they are swift to shed blood.
    17 How useless to spread a net
        where every bird can see it!
    18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
        they ambush only themselves!
    19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
        it takes away the life of those who get it.

    Wisdom’s Rebuke

    20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
        she raises her voice in the public square;
    21 on top of the wall[d] she cries out,
        at the city gate she makes her speech:

    22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
        How long will mockers delight in mockery
        and fools hate knowledge?
    23 Repent at my rebuke!
        Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
        I will make known to you my teachings.
    24 But since you refuse to listen when I call
        and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
    25 since you disregard all my advice
        and do not accept my rebuke,
    26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
        I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
    27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
        when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
        when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

    28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
        they will look for me but will not find me,
    29 since they hated knowledge
        and did not choose to fear the Lord.
    30 Since they would not accept my advice
        and spurned my rebuke,
    31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
        and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
    32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
        and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
    33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
        and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

    Go Deeper

    The book of Proverbs begins with an explanation for why the book was written in the first place. Solomon begins in verses 2-6 explaining some of the practical purposes of understanding the following proverbs, then he gets to the thesis statement of the book in verse 7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Fearing the Lord means having a reverence and humility for who God is and an understanding that He holds all things together. If we will humbly submit and follow Him, wisdom and knowledge will follow. The foolish, however, reject God’s ways and live as the world does.

    The second section of this chapter (v. 8-19) continues to set up the book by warning against the enticement of sin. Solomon, as we know from other Old Testament narrative books, at times throughout his life rejected wise and righteous living to chase what the world had to offer him. He chased pleasure and every other worldly desire. In the same way, we too can look to the world to fulfill our desires when we feel like God is moving too slowly or that sin is more enticing than pursuing the life God has called us to live. The wise, however, flee sin because they know that it ultimately leads to death. 

    The final section of this chapter (v. 20-33) introduces a metaphor that is used throughout this book. Wisdom is personified as a beautiful woman, shouting loud enough for anyone to hear. But we know that not everyone listens to wisdom and we know that not everyone heeds her instructions. Let that be a reminder to us as we begin this study of Proverbs: We can choose to grow in wisdom this year. We can read these 31 chapters and find the principles that we need to learn and apply them to our lives, or we can choose to foolishly reject wisdom and chase after the world. Which will you choose?

    Questions

    1. Who is the wisest person you know personally? Why would you say it’s that person and what has informed their worldview?
    2. What does it look like for you to fear the Lord?
    3. When was a time that you chased sin and ultimately dealt with the consequences of it like Solomon talks about in verses 8-19?

    Watch This

    For a really helpful overview of the book of Proverbs, check out this video from The Bible Project!

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  • Psalm 150

    Psalm 150

    Read Psalm 150

    1 Praise the Lord.

    Praise God in his sanctuary;
        praise him in his mighty heavens.
    2 Praise him for his acts of power;
        praise him for his surpassing greatness.
    3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
        praise him with the harp and lyre,
    4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
        praise him with the strings and pipe,
    5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
        praise him with resounding cymbals.

    6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

    Praise the Lord.

    Go Deeper

    Psalm 150 provides a short, but fitting end to the collection of Psalms. The last sentence of the last Psalm encourages us to “Praise the Lord.” In fact, the reader is encouraged to “praise” 13 times in these six verses. The Psalmist isn’t shy or unclear about the “call to action” that comes from Psalm 150. In this Psalm, we learn where to praise God, why to praise God, how to praise God, and who should praise God.

    In verse 1 the Psalmist tells us where to praise God: Both in His sanctuary and in his mighty heavens. In other words, there’s not a place in the universe where we shouldn’t praise Him! We can praise Him in the physical location of His sanctuary (tabernacle, temple) and we can praise Him in the heavens. Everything in the heavens and earth is his (1 Chronicles 29:11)—it’s appropriate to praise God anywhere and everywhere.

    Verse 2 tells us why we can praise God: for both His acts of power and for His surpassing greatness. We worship God for both who He is (His greatness) and what He’s done (His acts of power). We praise Him for His attributes and for His work. We will never run out of reasons to praise Him.

    As far as how we praise God, the Psalmist lists out all the instruments in the praise band—trumpet, harp, cymbals, and the timbrel (if you’re wondering, a timbrel is like a tambourine). We can make a joyful noise to the Lord (Psalm 100), and praise Him both with instruments and with our voices.

    And who should praise God? Anyone and everyone who has breath in their lungs should praise the Lord. The psalmist makes it very clear that if you have breath, then you are to praise Him. If you’re breathing, then your heart is pumping, and you can praise Him. May we be people who praise God all the days He lets our hearts beat and our bodies produce breath. Praise the Lord!

    Questions

    1. How do you choose to praise God? What does this look like for you in your day-to-day life and activities?
    2. Take some time to praise God for who He is (His attributes) and for His works (His acts of power). Write down three attributes and two evidences of His power.
    3. What happens if we don’t praise the Lord (see Luke 19:39-40)? How does this challenge you?

    Pray this

    God, 

    I pray that we would be people who praise you for as long as you give us breath in our lungs. Thank you that you give us breath and that you allow us to worship and praise you. Help us to not take a beating heart and breathing lungs for granted, and instead help us to give you the honor and glory that you are due. May we be people who are marked not by complaints, whining, and grumbling, but rather be a people who praise and worship you with our thoughts, actions, and words. Amen. 

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  • Psalm 149

    Psalm 149

    Read Psalm 149

    1 Praise the Lord.

    Sing to the Lord a new song,
        his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

    2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
        let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
    3 Let them praise his name with dancing
        and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
    4 For the Lord takes delight in his people;
        he crowns the humble with victory.
    5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
        and sing for joy on their beds.

    6 May the praise of God be in their mouths
        and a double-edged sword in their hands,
    7 to inflict vengeance on the nations
        and punishment on the peoples,
    8 to bind their kings with fetters,
        their nobles with shackles of iron,
    9 to carry out the sentence written against them—
        this is the glory of all his faithful people.

    Praise the Lord.

    Go Deeper

    There are several unique themes throughout Psalm 149. In the first few verses, the main theme is the praise of God’s people. There is praise and singing to the Lord. God loves to receive our rejoicing through song. The next couple of verses share the pleasure of true praise. God is first described as our Maker and then our King. As we worship God, whether at church or in our own time with the Lord, we can remember the great power and love He has for us, despite our sins. As we come before the Lord in humility and praise, He will make us all beautiful with salvation. 

    The psalm also highlights the power of God’s people. For instance, when it says, “Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds,” it’s referring to how the saints are so happy in God’s glory that waking hours are not enough to express their praise, so they must continue it on their beds. 

    Psalm 149 describes God’s people as ready for battle and equipped with mighty weapons. The Lord will grant victory to His people and fight for us, but as God’s people, we should also prepare to excel in both praise and the preaching of God’s Word. The last few verses speak to the victory of God’s people. Through the power of praise and the Word of God, we will see the work of God in the nations. God will use all types of people to set right the wrongs of the world. 

    Throughout this chapter, we see the glory of God and the continuous praises of His people. God finds joy in this praise and adorns those who act in humility. God will also provide us with a two-edged sword to fight the wickedness in the world, and we will find victory through our praise to God and His Word. May these glimpses of God’s heart make us draw closer to Him. After reading this passage, find some quiet time to praise God for everything He has done in your life. Pick up your own two-edged sword and fight the wickedness in the world.

    Questions

    1. How do you praise the Lord? Do you continuously find joy in the presence of the Lord? 
    2. If you are in a season of victory, have you shared your story with other believers so that they may see the work of the Lord in their lives? 
    3. How have you been using your two-edged sword?

    Pray this

    Dear God,

    I lift You up in praise. I am amazed by Your glory and power, and I want to thank You for all the blessings that You have bestowed upon us. I pray that we continue to see those blessings and I ask that You fill our mouths with songs of praise to You. Help us to become more like You and to pick up our two-edged sword to fight the wickedness in the world. Amen. 

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  • Psalm 148

    Psalm 148

    Read Psalm 148

    1 Praise the Lord.

    Praise the Lord from the heavens;
        praise him in the heights above.
    2 Praise him, all his angels;
        praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
    3 Praise him, sun and moon;
        praise him, all you shining stars.
    4 Praise him, you highest heavens
        and you waters above the skies.

    5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
        for at his command they were created,
    6 and he established them for ever and ever—
        he issued a decree that will never pass away.

    7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
        you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
    8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
        stormy winds that do his bidding,
    9 you mountains and all hills,
        fruit trees and all cedars,
    10 wild animals and all cattle,
        small creatures and flying birds,
    11 kings of the earth and all nations,
        you princes and all rulers on earth,
    12 young men and women,
        old men and children.

    13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
        for his name alone is exalted;
        his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
    14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,
        the praise of all his faithful servants,
        of Israel, the people close to his heart.

    Praise the Lord.

     

    Go Deeper

    Psalm 148 is commonly referred to as a psalm of universal praise. These verses are a call for everything on the earth and in the heavens to praise the name of the Lord. Verse 5 gives us insight into why God deserves our praise, “[f]or he commanded and they were created.” God is Creator of everything on Earth, as well as in the heavens, and that is praiseworthy.

    In only 14 verses, the psalmist covers all aspects of the earthly and the heavenly realms.  Starting with the angels in the heavens, we are reminded in verses 1 and 2 that nothing is so high that it should not praise the Lord. Even the sun, moon, and stars are praising their Creator (verse 5). From the highest mountain to the depths of the ocean, all of creation owes its existence to the Lord.  Verse 8 tells us that “fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind [fulfill] his word!” It is awe-inspiring to think that even the weather is sovereignly under God’s control and brings glory to His name!

    Have you ever stopped to consider that a fruit tree bearing fruit or a cedar tree that produces durable, strong wood has only done so because God personally created those trees and commanded them to do so? Verse 10 tells us that both the wild and tame beasts of the earth, as well as living creatures that crawl along the ground or fly up in the air are workmanship of the Creator and bring praise and honor to him. As you move on to verse 11, we are reminded that no living creature is exempt from the obligation to bring praise to God. It does not matter if you are a king or a ruler, a man or a woman, old or young, we should all unite in praising the Lord!

    It’s important to pay attention to the fact that this Psalm begins and ends with the phrase “Praise the Lord!” If you struggle with how to talk to God, beginning and ending with praise is a great place to start. Begin today by praising the Lord for the beautiful morning sky or cool breeze. At the end of the day, praise Him for the clear light of the moon or the still sounds of the night. His glory exceeds all others and the more you establish a habit of praise, the closer you will be drawn to Him.

    Questions

    1. When you look at God’s creation, what makes you shout “hallelujah”?
    2. Do you feel like praising God is a continuous habit in your life?  Why or why not?
    3. In addition to the creation that surrounds us, we owe our existence to our Creator. Spend some time thanking God for your life and creation.

    Did You Know?

    In 1224, Francis of Assisi wrote the “Canticle of the Sun”, a poem based on his reflections of Psalm 148.  In the early 1900s, William Draper paraphrased the words of the canticle and set them to music. In 1919, that song was first published in a hymn book under the title “All Creatures of Our God and King.” You can listen to that song here. 

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  • Rest Day + Reflection Guide (Psalm 142-147)

    Rest Day + Reflection Guide (Psalm 142-147)

    Rest Day

    Each Sunday is a Rest Day. There is no new Bible reading to do. Today, the goal is simple: rest in the presence of God. Maybe you need to use today to get caught up on the reading plan if you’re behind, maybe you want to journal what you’re learning so you don’t forget what God is teaching you, or maybe you want to spend time in concentrated prayer–do that. Above all, just spend time in God’s presence.

    Each Rest Day, we will have an additional element to help you dig deeper. Sometimes it will be extra resources to further your study, a video to watch, or a podcast to listen to. Sometimes we’ll have a verse to commit to memorize to help you hide God’s Word in your heart. 

    Keep Digging

    Check out this helpful resource from The Bible Project complete with summaries, resources, and videos on the book of Psalms! 

    Refelction Guide

    As you reflect on Psalms 142-147 this week, ask yourself the following questions:

    • Which psalm resonated with you most this week? Why? 
    • What did this week’s readings teach you about God? 
    • What did this week’s reading teach you about humanity (and yourself)?
  • Psalm 147

    Psalm 147

    Read Psalm 147

    1 Praise the Lord.

    How good it is to sing praises to our God,
        how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

    2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
        he gathers the exiles of Israel.
    3 He heals the brokenhearted
        and binds up their wounds.
    4 He determines the number of the stars
        and calls them each by name.
    5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
        his understanding has no limit.
    6 The Lord sustains the humble
        but casts the wicked to the ground.

    7 Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
        make music to our God on the harp.

    8 He covers the sky with clouds;
        he supplies the earth with rain
        and makes grass grow on the hills.
    9 He provides food for the cattle
        and for the young ravens when they call.

    10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
        nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
    11 the Lord delights in those who fear him,
        who put their hope in his unfailing love.

    12 Extol the Lord, Jerusalem;
        praise your God, Zion.

    13 He strengthens the bars of your gates
        and blesses your people within you.
    14 He grants peace to your borders
        and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.

    15 He sends his command to the earth;
        his word runs swiftly.
    16 He spreads the snow like wool
        and scatters the frost like ashes.
    17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
        Who can withstand his icy blast?
    18 He sends his word and melts them;
        he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

    19 He has revealed his word to Jacob,
        his laws and decrees to Israel.
    20 He has done this for no other nation;
        they do not know his laws.

    Praise the Lord.

    Go Deeper

    Today’s psalm starts by praising God and declaring that it is “good” to sing praises to Him. Verse 1 seems a bit formal upon first reading, and the rest of the chapter can feel like reading a grocery list, but a deeper dive into the translation reveals the soul-touching, life-changing revelation that comes from deeply, truly recognizing and engaging in the practice of praise. 

    The verse begins with “How good it is to sing praises to our God…” The word good sounds a bit lackluster as it is commonly used today, but good meant something completely different to the Psalmist. The Hebrew word used here is towb. It is the same word used in the creation story of Genesis when the Bible states, “and He saw that it was good.” Good is the declaration of God when He spoke the universe into being! Good is not dull or boring! Good means excellent, magnificent, complete, valuable. This is the benefit and beauty of praising God! 

    The verse ends with “…how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” Upon first reading, it may remind us of an etiquette lesson with instructions on how using the appropriate fork or proper dinner topics are “pleasant and fitting.” Again, the depth of the meaning seems to be lost in translation, so let’s dive in! The Hebrew words used here are naiym and nawah, meaning lovely or delightful and becoming or attractive. What we find revealed in the translation is that praising God changes us; it makes us better. Praising God transforms us into lovely and becoming people.

    The chapter proceeds to list examples of God’s provision throughout Israel’s history, proclaiming them as the present perfection of His purpose for His people. The writer realizes that God’s work in the past remains God’s work in the present and prepares us for God’s work in the future. He wants us to remember what He has done to grow our faith and that He will do it again. Sometimes, we may approach praising God as something we “have” to do or just church-speak for singing, but God designed the action of praising Him so we recognize His magnificent power and His eternal provision. We are better people for His good and for His glory when we praise Him!

    Questions

    1. How can you praise God today? Is it through prayer, music, reading His word, writing?
    2. What are the reasons to praise God today? Start by writing down five things and add to your list throughout the day. 
    3. Tonight, reflect on your list and praise God because it is good and pleasant and fitting. Acknowledge His provision and His power.

    Watch This

    Interested in how gratitude impacts your brain? Check out this short video.

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  • Psalm 146

    Psalm 146

    Read Psalm 146

    1 Praise the Lord.

    Praise the Lord, my soul.

    2 I will praise the Lord all my life;
        I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
    3 Do not put your trust in princes,
        in human beings, who cannot save.
    4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
        on that very day their plans come to nothing.
    5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
        whose hope is in the Lord their God.

    6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
        the sea, and everything in them—
        he remains faithful forever.
    7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
        and gives food to the hungry.
    The Lord sets prisoners free,
    8     the Lord gives sight to the blind,
    the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
        the Lord loves the righteous.
    9 The Lord watches over the foreigner
        and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
        but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

    10 The Lord reigns forever,
        your God, O Zion, for all generations.

    Praise the Lord.

    Go Deeper

    Psalm 146 is the first of five “hallelujah” psalms that serve as the endcap to the book of Psalms. Each Psalm begins and ends with the Hebrew phrase hallelu-yah which is an exhortation to the reader to “praise the Lord!” By design, the holy book of poems concludes simply, reminding us again and again, “In every circumstance, praise the Lord!”

    But Psalm 146 has even more direct insight into our world today. The Psalmist exhorts us not to trust in princes or in leaders who do not have the power to save. Even if they are not evil, they are incapable of saving others. No matter how much we prop up politicians and heroes as “the right person for the job,” salvation and hope are not found in their election. They are humans whose plans come to nothing the day they die. 

    Instead, the psalmist adjures us to set our hopes, our eyes, and our praises on the sovereign King who is faithful forever. He sees the weak, the oppressed, the fatherless, and He upholds their cause. Only those whose help is in the God of Jacob are truly blessed.

    As we consider the maelstrom of society and seek to find answers to the very complex and devastating issues that plague our world, we must ask how much of our hope is placed in government and like-minded politicians and how much truly rests on the character and power of the Everlasting God. The Psalmist asks us to understand that no matter how good and godly our leaders are, our hopes in them will be crushed. But more than that, no matter how evil and destructive our leaders are, our hope in God can stand secure.

    Questions

    1. How have you misplaced your hope in a human to save humanity?
    2. Consider where you place your hope. Do you trust in the character and power of God, regardless of who is politically in charge?
    3. What can you do to discipline your heart to set your hopes, eyes, and praises onto an everlasting and sovereign God and not have your peace disrupted by the “rise and fall” of earthly politicians?

    By the Way

    After reading Psalm 146, read Isaiah 61 and Luke 4:16-21. Deep dive into the correlation of Psalm 146 and its significance on the advent and purpose of Jesus’ ministry.

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  • Psalm 145

    Psalm 145

    Read Psalm 145

    A psalm of praise. Of David.

    1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
        I will praise your name for ever and ever.
    2 Every day I will praise you
        and extol your name for ever and ever.

    3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
        his greatness no one can fathom.
    4 One generation commends your works to another;
        they tell of your mighty acts.
    5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
        and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
    6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
        and I will proclaim your great deeds.
    7 They celebrate your abundant goodness
        and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

    8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
        slow to anger and rich in love.

    9 The Lord is good to all;
        he has compassion on all he has made.
    10 All your works praise you, Lord;
        your faithful people extol you.
    11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom
        and speak of your might,
    12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts
        and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
    13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
        and your dominion endures through all generations.

    The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
        and faithful in all he does.
    14 The Lord upholds all who fall
        and lifts up all who are bowed down.
    15 The eyes of all look to you,
        and you give them their food at the proper time.
    16 You open your hand
        and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

    17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
        and faithful in all he does.
    18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
        to all who call on him in truth.
    19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
        he hears their cry and saves them.
    20 The Lord watches over all who love him,
        but all the wicked he will destroy.

    21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
        Let every creature praise his holy name
        for ever and ever.

    Go Deeper

    The tone in Psalm 145 differs from the previous 5 psalms, which were full of prayers. Psalm 145 is the first of 6 psalms that are full of praises. In many ways these psalms of praise are the fulfillment of David’s promise to praise God in Psalm 144:9. David opens the psalm with a burst of gratitude and a commitment to praise and lovingly celebrate God daily (v. 2). We are invited to examine how often our hearts overflow with spontaneous gratitude for God. Do we nurture a daily habit of gratitude?

    As David continues to lead us in praise, we see meditation on God’s goodness (v. 5) is another practice we are invited to cultivate. Is the goodness and faithfulness of God something we can say we habitually think about and meditate on? If we meditate on God’s goodness, then we can answer “yes” to the following questions. Are our hearts and minds aware of what good things God is doing in the world around us? Can we quickly and easily recognize when God is faithful and good?

    David instructs us in his example to continually gush his gratitude and express his love for God to whomever will listen (v. 6-7). He is unashamed and uninhibited in his praising of God. He shamelessly attributes his good fortune and every good thing in his life to the grace and mercy of God, not his own strength or talent. Who or what do we attribute the grace in our lives? Are we unashamed of the proclamation that “every good and perfect gift” (James 1:17) comes from our Father?

    David’s final “praise practice” is to lovingly celebrate the mightiness of God’s hand (what He does) and the goodness of God’s heart (who He is). Psalm 145 serves as a joyful reminder to celebrate what an incredible, powerful and gracious God we serve. He is worthy of nothing less than our unwavering gratitude, submissive wonder, awe-inspired reverence, and continuous, joyful praises. God is gracious, compassionate, good, near, trustworthy, fulfilling, and faithful. Like David, may our “mouths speak in praise of the Lord” (v. 21).

    Questions

    1. How often do you take time to intentionally praise God? Would your faith benefit from a commitment to recite and pray Psalm 145?
    2. Is your gratitude for God and His goodness something you would say you meditate on (think deeply about) regularly? How could you develop and nurture this habit?
    3. How often do you share your gratitude for who God is and what He is doing in your life with others? What would it look like to create an intentional habit of sharing stories of His goodness with the people in your life? 

    Did You Know?

    In his commentary on this psalm, Matthew Henry shares an ancient Jewish tradition. As Jews neared the end of life, the more they developed a habit of continuously praising God. They believed praise was the work of heaven and they needed to be ready for it. It was said anyone who memorized and prayed this psalm three times a day would be thoroughly prepared for heaven as they were sufficiently experienced in the practice of continuous praise of a magnificent and loving God.

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  • Psalm 144

    Psalm 144

    Read Psalm 144

    Of David.

    1 Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
        who trains my hands for war,
        my fingers for battle.
    2 He is my loving God and my fortress,
        my stronghold and my deliverer,
    my shield, in whom I take refuge,
        who subdues peoples under me.

    3 Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
        mere mortals that you think of them?
    4 They are like a breath;
        their days are like a fleeting shadow.

    5 Part your heavens, Lord, and come down;
        touch the mountains, so that they smoke.
    6 Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy;
        shoot your arrows and rout them.
    7 Reach down your hand from on high;
        deliver me and rescue me
    from the mighty waters,
        from the hands of foreigners
    8 whose mouths are full of lies,
        whose right hands are deceitful.

    9 I will sing a new song to you, my God;
        on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,
    10 to the One who gives victory to kings,
        who delivers his servant David.

    From the deadly sword 11 deliver me;
        rescue me from the hands of foreigners
    whose mouths are full of lies,
        whose right hands are deceitful.

    12 Then our sons in their youth
        will be like well-nurtured plants,
    and our daughters will be like pillars
        carved to adorn a palace.
    13 Our barns will be filled
        with every kind of provision.
    Our sheep will increase by thousands,
        by tens of thousands in our fields;
    14     our oxen will draw heavy loads.
    There will be no breaching of walls,
        no going into captivity,
        no cry of distress in our streets.
    15 Blessed is the people of whom this is true;
        blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.

    Go Deeper

    The character of God is well displayed in this passage. David, who is a soldier, begins by asking his Father to train his hands for war and fingers for battle. Ephesians 6:10-20 is the exact picture of what God does for us amidst a battle. He equips us so we are able to stand against the schemes of the devil. David simply asks for God’s direction and strength to get him through battle. 

    David is not timid in his requests to God, but he approaches him boldly and asks things in the name of the Lord. He was after the defeat of the enemy so that the truth of God and His people would prevail. Matthew 7:7 says “Ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” This is a testament to who our Father is; willing to answer those who have the faith to ask. Our God is an approachable God and he never tires of hearing from us. He cares so deeply for His children that He hears their prayers and answers them. 

    Another highlight of our Father’s character is in verse 3. Who are we that God would be mindful of us? A perfectly holy, righteous King sees you and chooses to run after you. His resume is full of rescue and deliverance. We see in Psalm 8:4 the same statement, emphasizing that our God is a personal God, desiring a relationship with us regardless of what we have done. 

    While God lovingly chases after David, in return, David walks near to God as he navigates his fear of the enemy. The glue of their relationship is consistent communication. David, in boldness and faith, asks God to bless the people around him. He prays against the enemy, that God would scatter them. The victory in His name moved David to sing a new song. God had been faithful to lead David through battles and David had been faithful to look to God, recognizing that He is where his help comes from. Our God is trustworthy. He fulfills His promises to us. He is our rock and fortress, and an ever-present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). And, on top of all of that, He delights in having a relationship with us. 

    Questions

    1. Read Ephesians 6:10-20. Do you practice putting on the armor of God each day? 
    2. How will you sing a new song to Him today? Remember today what He has delivered you from and praise Him.  
    3. In what ways could you intentionally pray blessings on the people around you?

    Pray this

    Father, would you help me today be aware of the enemy. May I see clearly as you hold me tenderly. I pray that in my awareness I would draw near to you with full assurance of faith. Through that faith, would you equip me with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of readiness to share the gospel of peace, the shield of faith that protects me from the evil one, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Help me surrender to you and not turn inward into fear. I am so grateful for your son Jesus and His death on the cross. I will live and sing a new victorious song today.

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