Category: Psalms

August 12, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Ephesians and Philippians we read two Psalms and two chapters of Isaiah.

August 12:  Psalm 75, Psalm 76, Isaiah 9, Isaiah 10 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 75, of Asaph. A song of praise to the LORD. The theme is He executes proper judgement. It ends with: “All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.”

Psalm 76, of Asaph. A song that praises the LORD, how He confounds the “stouthearted” but saves the meek.

Isaiah 9. A must read chapter of Isaiah. It speaks of “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Then it states: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” It speaks of Christ, the coming Messiah, both his humanity (a child) and his deity (son of God).

Isaiah 10 speaks of the punishment of Syria (and Assyria), then the temnant of Israel shall return.

August 11, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Ephesians and Philippians we read three Psalms and one chapter of Isaiah.

August 11: Psalm 72, Psalm 73, Psalm 74, Isaiah 8 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 72, of Solomon. Most likely Solomon compiled Book Two of Psalms (Psalms 42-72) and composed or edited this psalm as a fitting end to the collection of mostly David’s psalms. It is a fitting conclusion, because it does not focus upon David himself, but on the coming Messiah – the King of Kings and Son of David.

Psalm 73 begins Book Three of Psalms, (Psalms 43-89) . It is of Asaph, a great singer and musician from the time of David and Solomon. He complains about the good fortune of the wicked and the misfortune of the righteous until he “went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.“

Psalm 74, of Asaph. This Psalm describes the destruction of the Temple. This Asaph may have been penned bya descendant of the earlier  musician, or may be prophetic. In any case he asks God to defend His case against the evildoers.

Isaiah 8. Prophetically Assyria will invade Israel, an instrument of God to execute judgement on the unfaithful. The remedy is to fear God and Him alone.

August 9, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Ephesians and Philippians we read two Psalms and three chapters of Isaiah.

August 9: Psalm 70, Psalm 71, Isaiah 2, Isaiah 3, Isaiah 4 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 70, of David, a short,  urgent petition for deliverance, full of praise.

Psalm 71. This Psalm has the same theme as Psalm 70, but is much more detailed. It is of an older man, strong in faith, most probably David.

Isaiah 2. The famous chapter containing “beating swords into plowshares” “study war no more” and the Day of the LORD is introduced.

In Isaiah 3 the prophet proclaims judgment on Jerusalem and Judah.

Isaiah 4. “In that day”. This refers to the Messianic reign after the Day of the LORD. “The Branch” is introduced.

August 2, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Galatians and Ephesians we read one Psalm and three chapters of Ecclesiastes.

August 2: Psalm 69, Ecclesiastes 3, Ecclesiastes 4, Ecclesiastes 5 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 69, of David. When you get that sinking feeling, this Psalm lifts you back up, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”

Ecclesiastes 3. There is a time for everything. The gift of God is that He has set eternity in our hearts, yet injustice seems to prevail.

Ecclesiastes 4. There is oppression but no comforter, there is vanity of selfish toil. There is value in having friends “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken,” yet, popularity passes away.

Ecclesiastes 5. Fear God, keep your vows. There is vanity in amassing riches, even vanity in seeking honor.

August 1, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Galatians and Ephesians we read two Psalms and the first two chapters of Ecclesiastes.

August 1: Psalm 67, Psalm 68, Ecclesiastes 1, Ecclesiastes 2 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 67, a Song. A short, beautiful Psalm of praise and singing. It ends with the prophetic “God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.“

Psalm 68, of David. George Horne described how this psalm was assigned to Pentecost in the Anglican liturgy, no doubt because it describes gifts given upon ascension and is quoted in Ephesians 4. “This beautiful, sublime, and comprehensive, but very difficult Psalm, is one of those which the church has appointed to be used on Whitsunday.”

Ecclesiastes 1. The author, king Solomon speaks of the vanity of life and the grief of wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 2 King Solomon continues with the vanity of pleasure, the end of the wise and the end of the fool.

July 31, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Galatians and Ephesians we read one Psalm and the four last chapters of Job.

July 31: Psalm 66, Job 39, Job 40, Job 41, Job 42 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 66, a Song. “This Psalm is said to be recited on Easter day, by the Greek church: it is described in the Greek Bible as A Psalm of the Resurrection, ”

Job 39. The LORD continues and proclaims His magnificent creation.

Job 40. Job  Responds to God and God gives a challenge to Job.

Job 41, God”s challenges Job continues.

Job 42. Job repented, “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” and God completely restored Job.

July 30, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Galatians and Ephesians we read one chapter of Proverbs and two chapters of Job.

July 30: Proverbs 10, Job 37, Job 38 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Proverbs 10 contains some of the wise sayings of Solomon, with New Testament thoughts sprinkled in.

Job 37. Elihu continues proclaiming God’s majesty.

Job 38. Them the LORD intervenes and answers Job out of the whirlwind.

July 29, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Galatians and Ephesians we read two Psalms and two chapters of Job.

July 29: Psalm 64, Psalm 65, Job 35, Job 36 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 64, of David. The enemy has arrows and shoots at the man who prays for God’s protection. But God has arrows too, and He hits his targets. The righteous shall be glad and trust in the LORD.

Psalm 65, of David. A Psalm full of thanksgiving for atonement for iniquities, setting things straight in nature and among people, and providing for an abundant harvest, and the response is to burst out in song,

Job 35, Elihu hammers it in and condemns self-righteousness.

Job 36, Elihu proclaims God’s goodness and His majesty.

July 28, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Galatians and Ephesians we read two Psalms and one chapter of Job.

July 28: Psalm 62, Psalm 63, Job 34 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 62, of David. David, as always claims God is his rock and salvation, even when surrounded by false and evil men, he will not be moved. All power belongs to God.

Psalm 63, of David. Seek God early, praise Him, this is better than life, praise Him.

Job 34, Elihu continues and proclaims God’s justice.

 

July 21, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Second Corinthians and Galatians we read two Psalms and three chapters of Job.

July 21: Psalm 60, Psalm 61, Job 17, Job 18, Job 19 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 60, of David, for Teaching. Even though they were defeated, David gives God the glory for future victories and deliverance.

Psalm 61, of David. As so often happened, David was in trouble and cried out to God, proclaiming his trust in God, singing praises.

Job 17. Job continued praying  for relief.

Job 18. Bildad pours it on; the wicked are punished.

Job 19. “I know that my redeemer liveth“.