Contemplative Bible Reading

Psalm 27:4 (New Living Translation) The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. This is the prayer of a warrior—a man who was not allowed […]

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Psalms 119:3 (New Living Translation) I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. This is a good practice – reciting aloud. Perhaps, in days gone by, we used to do this more than we do now. As a child attending a Christian elementary school, we memorized Bible passages and recited them. Note […]

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Psalms 127:1-2 (New Living Translation) 1 Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. 2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to […]

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Psalms 24:3-4 (American Standard Version) 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of Jehovah? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, And hath not sworn deceitfully. Today I am looking at the American Standard Version […]

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Psalm 27:1 (New Living Translation) The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? Sometimes I (re)find a verse or two that summarizes everything. I slap my head and wonder why I make life so complicated that I cannot put one foot in front of the other. Here is such […]

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Psalms 27:11 (New Living Translation) Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Simple, under-stated, yet powerful. Please, oh Lord, teach me how to live. Why does the writer ask for instruction? Because there are people seeking to harm the writer. Are we […]

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Psalm 35:1,6 (New Living Translation) O Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. … Make their path dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. These two verses are from a Psalm of David. David asks Jehovah to oppose those who oppose David. The second verse listed […]

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Psalms 36:1-4 (New Living Translation) 1 Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. 2 In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. 3 Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. 4 They lie […]

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Psalm 10:4-6 (New Living Translation) The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead. 5 Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They sneer at all their enemies. 6 They think, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us! We will […]

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Psalms 135:15-18 (New English Translation) 15 The nations’ idols are made of silver and gold, they are man-made. 16 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see, 17 and ears, but cannot hear. Indeed, they cannot breathe. 18 Those who make them will end up like them, as will everyone who trusts in […]

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