Through the Bible – Day 229

Bible text(s)

Psalms 135

In praise of the LORD's kindness

1Shout praises to the LORD!

You are his servants,

so praise his name.

2All who serve in the temple

of the LORD our God,

3come and shout praises.

Praise the name of the LORD!

He is kind and good.

4He chose the family of Jacob

and the people of Israel

for his very own.

5The LORD is much greater

than any other god.

6He does as he chooses

in heaven and on earth

and deep in the sea.

7The LORD makes the clouds rise

from far across the earth,

and he makes lightning

to go with the rain.

Then from his secret place

he sends out the wind.

8The LORD killed the firstborn

of people and animals

in the land of Egypt.

9God used miracles and wonders

to fight the king of Egypt

and all his officials.

10He destroyed many nations

and killed powerful kings,

11including King Sihon

of the Amorites

and King Og of Bashan.

He conquered every kingdom

in the land of Canaan

12and gave their property

to his people Israel.

13The name of the LORD

will be remembered for ever,

and he will be famous

for all time to come.

14The LORD will bring justice

and show mercy to all

who serve him.

15Idols of silver and gold

are made and worshipped

in other nations.

16They have a mouth and eyes,

but they can't speak or see.

17They are completely deaf,

and they can't breathe.

18Everyone who makes idols

and all who trust them

will end up as helpless

as their idols.

19Everyone in Israel,

come, praise the LORD!

All the family of Aaron

20and all the tribe of Levi,

come, praise the LORD!

All of his worshippers,

come, praise the LORD.

21Praise the LORD from Zion!

He lives here in Jerusalem.

Shout praises to the LORD!

Psalms 136

God's love never fails

1Praise the LORD! He is good.

God's love never fails.

2Praise the God of all gods.

God's love never fails.

3Praise the Lord of lords.

God's love never fails.

4Only God works great miracles.

God's love never fails.

5With wisdom he made the sky.

God's love never fails.

6The Lord stretched the earth

over the ocean.

God's love never fails.

7He made the bright lights

in the sky.

God's love never fails.

8He lets the sun rule each day.

God's love never fails.

9He lets the moon and the stars

rule each night.

God's love never fails.

10God struck down the firstborn

in every Egyptian family.

God's love never fails.

11He rescued Israel from Egypt.

God's love never fails.

12God used his great strength

and his powerful arm.

God's love never fails.

13He split the Red Sea apart.

God's love never fails.

14The Lord brought Israel safely

through the sea.

God's love never fails.

15He destroyed the Egyptian king

and his army there.

God's love never fails.

16The Lord led his people

through the desert.

God's love never fails.

17Our God defeated mighty kings.

God's love never fails.

18And he killed famous kings.

God's love never fails.

19One of them was Sihon,

king of the Amorites.

God's love never fails.

20Another was King Og of Bashan.

God's love never fails.

21God took away their land.

God's love never fails.

22He gave their land to Israel,

the people who serve him.

God's love never fails.

23God saw the trouble we were in.

God's love never fails.

24He rescued us from our enemies.

God's love never fails.

25He gives food to all who live.

God's love never fails.

26Praise God in heaven!

God's love never fails.

Psalms 137

A prayer for revenge

1Beside the rivers of Babylon

we thought about Jerusalem,

and we sat down and cried.

2We hung our small harps

on the willow trees.

3Our enemies had brought us here

as their prisoners,

and now they wanted us to sing

and entertain them.

They insulted us and shouted,

“Sing about Zion!”

4Here in a foreign land,

how can we sing

about the LORD?

5Jerusalem, if I forget you,

let my right hand go limp.

6Let my tongue stick

to the roof of my mouth,

if I don't think about you

above all else.

7Our LORD, punish the Edomites!

Because the day Jerusalem fell,

they shouted,

“Completely destroy the city!

Tear down every building!”

8Babylon, you are doomed!

I pray the Lord's blessings

on anyone who punishes you

for what you did to us.

9May the Lord bless everyone

who beats your children

against the rocks!

Psalms 138

(By David.)

Praise the LORD with all your heart

1With all my heart

I praise you, LORD.

In the presence of angels

I sing your praises.

2I worship at your holy temple

and praise you for your love

and your faithfulness.

You were true to your word

and made yourself more famous

than ever before.

3When I asked for your help,

you answered my prayer

and gave me courage.

4All kings on this earth

have heard your promises, LORD,

and they will praise you.

5You are so famous

that they will sing about

the things you have done.

6Though you are above us all,

you care for humble people,

and you keep a close watch

on everyone who is proud.

7I am surrounded by trouble,

but you protect me

against my angry enemies.

With your own powerful arm

you keep me safe.

8You, LORD, will always

treat me with kindness.

Your love never fails.

You have made us what we are.

Don't give up on us now!

Psalms 135:1-138:8CEVOpen in Bible reader

Romans 16

Personal greetings

1I have good things to say about Phoebe, who is a leader in the church at Cenchreae. 2Welcome her in a way that is proper for someone who has faith in the Lord and is one of God's own people. Help her in any way you can. After all, she has proved to be a respected leader for many others, including me.

3Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila. They have not only served Christ Jesus together with me, 4but they have even risked their lives for me. I am grateful for them and so are all the Gentile churches. 5Greet the church that meets in their home.

Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first person in Asia to have faith in Christ.

6Greet Mary, who has worked so hard for you.

7Greet my relatives Andronicus and Junias, who were in jail with me. They are highly respected by the apostles and were followers of Christ before I was.

8Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend whose faith is in the Lord.

9Greet Urbanus, who serves Christ along with us.

Greet my dear friend Stachys.

10Greet Apelles, a faithful servant of Christ.

Greet Aristobulus and his family.

11Greet Herodion, who is a relative of mine.

Greet Narcissus and the others in his family, who have faith in the Lord.

12Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who work hard for the Lord.

Greet my dear friend Persis. She also works hard for the Lord.

13Greet Rufus, that special servant of the Lord, and greet his mother, who has been like a mother to me.

14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, and Hermas, as well as our friends who are with them.

15Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all God's people who are with them.

16Be sure to give each other a warm greeting.

All Christ's churches greet you.

17My friends, I beg you to watch out for anyone who causes trouble and divides the church by refusing to do what all of you were taught. Stay away from them! 18They want to serve themselves and not Christ the Lord. Their flattery and fancy talk fool people who don't know any better. 19I am glad that everyone knows how well you obey the Lord. But still, I want you to understand what is good and not have anything to do with evil. 20Then God, who gives peace, will soon crush Satan under your feet. I pray that our Lord Jesus will be kind to you.

21Timothy, who works with me, sends his greetings, and so do my relatives, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater.

22I, Tertius, also send my greetings. I am a follower of the Lord, and I wrote this letter.

23-24Gaius welcomes me and the whole church into his home, and he sends his greetings.

Erastus, the city treasurer, and our dear friend Quartus send their greetings too.

Paul's closing prayer

25Praise God! He can make you strong by means of my good news, which is the message about Jesus Christ. For many ages this message was kept secret, 26but now at last it has been told. The eternal God commanded his prophets to write about the good news, so that all nations would obey and have faith. 27And now, because of Jesus Christ, we can praise the only wise God for ever! Amen.

Romans 16:1-27CEVOpen in Bible reader
Canadian Bible Societyv.4.25.3
Follow us on: