Summer Daily Readings - Psalms Pt. 3
Readings for this week January 15 - 19
Click here for a pdf of this week’s readings
Due to the holiday season, the January daily readings were prepared far in advance of the Summer Series, and so therefore are not connected with the content of the Summer Series. The readings for the next four weeks will take on a slightly different format than usual.
Each daily reading will contain a passage from the Psalms, as well as several questions, words and phrases, or ideas to be used as prompts (if you wish) for you to pray through in response.
This third week of readings focuses on offering thanks and praise for God’s work in our world and in our lives.
Day 1 – Eternal Love
Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
Psalm 118:1-9
1Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good,
and his love is eternal.
2 Let the people of Israel say,
“His love is eternal.”
3 Let the priests of God say,
“His love is eternal.”
4 Let all who worship him say,
“His love is eternal.”
5 In my distress I called to the Lord;
he answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid;
what can anyone do to me?
7 It is the Lord who helps me,
and I will see my enemies defeated.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord
than to depend on people.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord
than to depend on human leaders.
Prompts for Prayer
· Giving thanks at all times for all things.
· What do you find it hard to give thanks for? Why?
· Trusting in the Lord.
· The eternal love of God evident in your life.
· How is the Lord ‘with you’?
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
Day 2 – Giving Thanks for Deliverance
Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
Psalm 34:1-11
1 I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
Prompts for Prayer
· What have you sought God for recently?
· What do you have God to thank for?
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
Day 3 – Reverence, Obedience and Fear
Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
Psalm 34:15-22
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the broken-hearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Prompts for Prayer
· What does the Psalmist promise in this passage?
· Who are the people God rescues in this passage?
· How are fear and obedience connected?
· Seeking peace.
· A promise to the broken-hearted.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
Day 4 – His Love Endures Forever
Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
Psalm 136:1-12
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
Prompts for Prayer
· Pray “His love endures forever” at the end of each sentence of your prayer.
· What is God’s love like?
· How is the story of Israel mentioned in this psalm?
· What have the Israelites given thanks for throughout their history?
· God on the side of the poor and marginalised.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
Day 5 – Prayer and Praise
Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
Psalm 138
1I thank you, Lord, with all my heart;
I sing praise to you before the gods.
2 I face your holy Temple,
bow down, and praise your name
because of your constant love and faithfulness,
because you have shown that your name and your commands are supreme.
3 You answered me when I called to you;
with your strength you strengthened me.
4 All the kings in the world will praise you, Lord,
because they have heard your promises.
5 They will sing about what you have done
and about your great glory.
6 Even though you are so high above,
you care for the lowly,
and the proud cannot hide from you.
7 When I am surrounded by troubles,
you keep me safe.
You oppose my angry enemies
and save me by your power.
8 You will do everything you have promised;
Lord, your love is eternal.
Complete the work that you have begun.
Prompts for Prayer
· What prayers has God answered for you this year?
· Prayer and praise go together.
· Including God’s plans in our plans.
· What will you ask of God for the future?
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)