Contemplative Bible Reading

Psalm 2:1-2 (New Living Translation) 1 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. Verse 1 holds a great question or two. The kings of the earth are […]

[Read more →]

Psalm 137:8-9 (New English Translation) O daughter Babylon, soon to be devastated! How blessed will be the one who repays you for what you dished out to us! How blessed will be the one who grabs your babies and smashes them on a rock! This cry was written after the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem. The conquerors […]

[Read more →]

Psalm 141:3-4 (New International Version 2011) 3 Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds This Psalm was written by King David. In verse 3, David asks the […]

[Read more →]

Psalms 7:14 (New International Version 2011) Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment. What a marvelous phrase. Evil leads to trouble which leads to disillusionment. Perhaps that is the foundation of all evil, of all rebellion against God – disillusionment. We are tricked, fooled, we don’t see what is present. […]

[Read more →]

Psalm 51:16-17 (New International Version 2010) You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. I have contemplated on parts of Psalm 51 before. Looking at it […]

[Read more →]

Psalms 78:72 (New English Translation) David cared for them with pure motives; he led them with skill. When I read this yesterday, a sense of peace came over me. This describes David, who at times in his life was a great leader of his people. He knew what had to be done and he was […]

[Read more →]

Psalm 27:4 (New International Version) One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. These are the words of David. This […]

[Read more →]

Psalm 141 (New International Version) 1 O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. 2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; […]

[Read more →]

Psalm 141 (New International Version) 1 O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. 2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; […]

[Read more →]

Psalms 51:1-2 (New International Version) 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. This is a prayer I could say everyday. In particular, the lines: blot out my transgressions…wash away […]

[Read more →]