Contemplative Bible Reading

Psalm 90:12 (New Living Translation) 12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,so that we may grow in wisdom. This Psalm is attributed to Moses. Moses is praying and has a list of requests to God. In this request, Moses asks God to teach us about our lives on earth. They are short. Once […]

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Psalm 81:5 (New Living Translation) 5 He (God) made it a law for Israelwhen he attacked Egypt to set us free. This sentence is part of a few sentences where the writer urges the people to praise God. The writer concludes with the “why” of praising: because God attacked Egypt to set the people free […]

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Psalm 24:3-6 (New Living Translation) 3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?Who may stand in his holy place?4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,who do not worship idolsand never tell lies.5 They will receive the Lord’s blessingand have a right relationship with God their savior.6 Such people may seek youand worship […]

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Psalm 61:1-3 (New Living Translation) 1 O God, listen to my cry!    Hear my prayer!2 From the ends of the earth,    I cry to you for help    when my heart is overwhelmed.Lead me to the towering rock of safety,3     for you are my safe refuge,    a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. At the end of verse 2, we have the […]

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Psalm 20:7 (New Living Translation) Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. This Psalm is attributed to King David. David is speaking for the people of Jehovah God, the Creator. The topic is national identity, national culture, and pride. David’s people boast in the […]

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Psalm 19:14 (New Living Translation) 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. I want to please God. But how? With every word that comes from my mouth. Great. An opportunity. Please God. Let me consider the words about […]

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Psalm 94:16-17 (New Living Translation) 16 Who will protect me from the wicked?Who will stand up for me against evildoers?17 Unless the Lord had helped me,I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave. The last year or so in America have seen one travesty after another. The wicked kill the innocent. The […]

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Psalm 40:9-10 (New Living Translation) 9 I have told all your people about your justice.I have not been afraid to speak out,as you, O Lord, well know.10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.I have told everyone in the great […]

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Psalm 99:9 (New Living Translation) Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem, for the Lord our God is holy! Consider the last words: Jehovah our God is holy. Holy means separated, different. The Creator, Jehovah, the God of the chosen people is different from all other gods. And there […]

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Psalm 101: 6 (New Living Translation) I will search for faithful people    to be my companions. Companions can define a person. I choose my companions. I choose my life. The writer of this 3,000-year-old verse searched for people who were faithful to God the creator to be his companions, to define his life. This is certainly […]

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