Contemplative Bible Reading

Psalm 31:11-12 (New International Version) 11 Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends— those who see me on the street flee from me. 12 I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. This is […]

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Psalm 133 (New International Version) A song of ascents. Of David. 1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3 It is as […]

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Today’s contemplation on the Word is a bit different. I recently read Psalm 19:14 and I had to stop and think for a while – a long while. Here is the New International Version, the version I read most days. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in […]

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Isaiah 9:2 (New International Version) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Note the next to last phrase of this verse, living in the land of the shadow of death. The last three words in particular caught […]

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Psalms 118:6 (New International Version) The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? I find three large sermons in this one little verse. What to discuss in a short blog post? All three. The foundation is the first phrase: the Lord is with me. Yes, He is […]

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Psalms 137:8-9 8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us- 9 he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks. Before looking at the verses from Psalms, let’s consider these verses from 2 Timothy 3: 16All Scripture is God-breathed and […]

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Psalm 1:1-2 (New International Version) 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. People […]

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Acts 4:25-26 (New International Version) from Psalms 2 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ” ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed […]

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Psalms 15 (New International Version) 1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts […]

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Psalms 24:3-4 (New International Version) 3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Who could approach God under the old […]

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