December in Ezra, Nehemiah, Psalms, and Malachi

DECEMBER

1. Ezra 7 & 8
2. Ezra 9 & 10
3. Nehemiah 1-2
4. Nehemiah 3
5. Nehemiah 4-5
6. Nehemiah 6-7:73a 
7. Nehemiah 7:73b-8:18
8. Nehemiah 9
9. Nehemiah 10
10. Nehemiah 11
11. Nehemiah 12-13
12. Psalm 107
13. Psalms 111,112, 117
14. Psalm 119
15. Psalm 119
16. Psalm 119
17. Psalms 121-123
18. Psalms 128, 130, 134
19. Psalm 135
20. Psalm 136
21. Psalms 146-147
22. Malachi 1
23. Malachi 2
24. Malachi 3 & 4

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

November in Daniel, Psalms, Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah, and Esther

NOVEMBER

1. Daniel 9
2. Daniel 10
3. Daniel 11 & 12
4. Ezra 1-2
5. Ezra 3 & Psalm 126
6. Psalm 92-93
7. Psalm 94
8. Psalm 95-96
9. Psalm 97-98
10. Psalm 99-100
11. Ezra 4
12. Haggai 1 & 2
13. Zech 1 & 2
14. Zech 3 & 4
15. Zech 5 & 6
16. Zech 7 & 8
17. Zech 9
18. Zech 10 & 11
19. Zech 12 & 13
20. Zech 14
21. Ezra 5 & 6
22. Psalm 129
23. Psalm 118
24. Psalm 148-150
25. Esther 1 & 2
26. Esther 3 & 4
27. Esther 5 & 6
28. Esther 7 & 8
29. Esther 9 & 10
30. Psalm 106

September in Jeremiah, Psalms, Lamentations, Habakkuk, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Ezekiel

1. Jeremiah 48
2. Jeremiah 49
3. Jeremiah 50
4. Jeremiah 51
5. Jeremiah 52
6. Psalms 85 & 102
7. Psalms 120 & 137
8. Lamentations 1 & 2
9. Lamentations 3
10. Lamentations 4 & 5
11. Psalms 116 and 71
12. Habakkuk 1 & 2
13. Habakkuk 3
14. 2 Kings 24 & 25
15. 2 Chronicles 36
16. Psalms 74 & 79
17. Ezekiel 1
18. Ezekiel 2 & 3
19. Ezekiel 4 & 5
20. Ezekiel 6 & 7
21. Ezekiel 8 & 9
22. Ezekiel 10
23. Ezekiel 11
24. Ezekiel 12
25. Ezekiel 13
26. Ezekiel 14-15
27. Ezekiel 16
28. Ezekiel 17
29. Ezekiel 18
30. Ezekiel 19

May in 2 Kings & 2 Chronicles with Psalms, Hosea, and Isaiah

1. 2 Kings 16 & 17
2. 2 Chronicles 28
3. 2 Kings 18
4. 2 Kings 19
5. 2 Kings 20
6. 2 Chronicles 29
7. 2 Chronicles 30
8. 2 Chronicles 31
9. 2 Chronicles 32
10. Psalms 66-67 & 125
11. Hosea 1-3
12. Hosea 4
13. Hosea 5
14. Hosea 6:1-11a
15. Hosea 6:11b-7:16
16. Hosea 8
17. Hosea 9
18. Hosea 10
19. Hosea 11
20. Hosea 12
21. Hosea 13
22. Hosea 14
23. 2 Kings 21
24. 2 Chron. 33
25. Isaiah 1
26. Isaiah 2
27. Isaiah 3 & 4
28. Isaiah 5
29. Isaiah 6 & 7
30. Isaiah 8 & 9
31. Isaiah 10

March in 2 Chronicles, 1 Kings, and Psalms

Chronicles of Kings

1. 2 Chronicles 1 & 2
2. 2 Chronicles 3 & 4
3. 2 Chronicles 5 & 6
4. 2 Chronicles 7 & 8
5. 2 Chronicles 9 Death of Solomon
6. 1 Kings 12
7. 2 Chronicles 10
8. 2 Chronicles 11
9. 1 Kings 13
10. 1 Kings 14
11. 2 Chronicles 12
12. Psalm 89
13. 1 Kings 15
14. 2 Chronicles 13
15. 2 Chronicles 14 & 15
16. 2 Chronicles 16
17. 1 Kings 16
18. 1 Kings 17 & 18
19. 1 Kings 19
20. Psalm 104
21. Psalms 114 & 115
22. 1 Kings 20 & 21
23. 1 Kings 22 & 1 Kings Chapter Titles
24. 2 Chronicles 17 & 18
25. 2 Chronicles 19 & 20
26. Psalms 46 & 47
27. Psalm 48
28. Psalm 49
29. Psalm 91
30. 2 Kings 1-2
31. 2 Kings 3
    

February in 1 Chronicles and Psalms

History to Future: Jacob - Captivity

1. 1 Chron. 2 & 3
2. 1 Chron. 4  & 6
3. 1 Chron. 7 & 8
4. 1 Chron. 9
5. 1 Chron. 10
6. 1 Chron. 11
7. 1 Chron. 12
8. 1 Chron. 13 & 14
9. 1 Chron. 15
10. Psalm 73
11. Psalm 75
12. Psalm 76
13. Psalm 77
14. Psalm 80
15. Psalm 81
16. Psalm 82
17. Psalm 83
18. 1 Chron. 16 & Psalm105
19. 1 Chron. 17
20. 1 Chron. 18 & 19
21. 1 Chron. 20 & 21
22. 1 Chron. 22 & 23
23. Psalms 29 & 30
24. 1 Chron. 24 & 25 & Psalm 88
25. 1 Chron. 26
26. 1 Chron. 27
27. 1 Chron. 28
28. 1 Chron. 29

December in 1 Kings, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes

1. Proverbs 23
2. Proverbs 24
3. Proverbs 25
4. Proverbs 26
5. Proverbs 27
6. Proverbs 28
7. Proverbs 29
8. Proverbs 30
9. Proverbs 31
10. 1 Kings 11 (Death of Solomon)
11. Ecclesiastes 1 & 2
12. Ecclesiastes 3
13. Ecclesiastes 4
14. Ecclesiastes 5 & 6
15. Ecclesiastes 7
16. Ecclesiastes 8
17. Ecclesiastes 9
18. Ecclesiastes 10
19. Ecclesiastes 11
20. Ecclesiastes 12
21. Psalm 72 – Messianic Psalm
22. Psalm 45 – The King of Glory!
23. Enjoy reading about JESUS' BIRTH (remember to read from the bottom up)

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

November in 1 Kings, Psalms, and Proverbs

1. 1 Kings 6
2. Psalm 127
3. 1 Kings 7
4. 1 Kings 8
5. 1 Kings 8
6. Psalm 132
7. 1 Kings 9
8. 1 Kings 10
9. Proverbs 1
10. Proverbs 2
11. Proverbs 3
12. Proverbs 4
13. Proverbs 5
14. Proverbs 6
15. Proverbs 7
16. Proverbs 8
17. Proverbs 9
18. Proverbs 10
19. Proverbs 11
20. Proverbs 12
21. Proverbs 13
22. Proverbs 14
23. Proverbs 15
24. Proverbs 16
25. Proverbs 17
26. Proverbs 18
27. Proverbs 19
28. Proverbs 20
29. Proverbs 21
30. Proverbs 22

October in 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, Psalms, and Song of Solomon

1. Psalm 10
2. Psalm 27
3. Psalms 28 & 39
4. Psalm 41
5. Psalms 42 & 43
6. 2 Samuel 17
7. Psalm 55
8. Psalm 58
9. Psalms 61 & 62
10. 2 Samuel 18
11. Psalms 63 & 64
12. Psalms 70 & 84
13. Psalms 141 & 143
14. 2 Samuel 19
15. 2 Samuel 20 & 21
16. Psalm 140
17. 2 Samuel 22 & Psalm 18
18. 2 Samuel 23
19. 2 Samuel 24
20. 1 Kings 1
21. Psalm 25
22. 1 Kings 2
23. 1 Kings 3 & 4
24. Psalm 50
25. Song of Solomon 1-2:7
26. Song of Solomon 2:8-3:5
27. Song of Solomon 3:6-5:1
28. Song of Solomon 5:2-6:10
29. Song of Solomon 6:11-8:4
30. Song of Solomon 8:5-14
31. 1 Kings 5

September in 2 Samuel and Psalms

1. Free Day (or sub with Labor Day)
2. Psalms101,15, 24, 65
3. Psalm 68
4. Psalms 110 & 19
5. Psalms 138 & 139
6. Psalm 145
7. 2 Samuel 8 & 9 (Happy Labor Day) 
8. Psalm 8
9. 2 Samuel 10
10. Psalm 60
11. Psalm 33
12. Psalm 44
13. 2 Samuel 11
14. 2 Samuel 12:1-13a
15. Psalm 51
16. Psalm 38
17. Psalms 6 & 32
18. Psalm 103
19. 2 Samuel 12:13b-13:38
20. Psalms 20 & 21
21. Psalms 108 & 124
22. 2 Samuel 14
23. 2 Samuel 15
24. Psalms 3 & 4
25. Psalms 11 & 23
26. Psalm 26
27. 2 Samuel 16
28. Psalms 12 & 36
29. Psalm 37
30. Psalm 9

August in 1 & 2 Samuel and Psalms

1. 1 Samuel 22
2. Psalm 52
3. Psalm 109
4. 1 Samuel 23 & Psalm 54
5. Psalms 13 & 17
6. Psalm 22
7. 1 Samuel 24
8. Psalm 7
9. Psalm 35
10. Psalms 57 & 142
11. 1 Samuel 25
12. Psalms 14 & 53
13. 1 Samuel 26
14. Psalm 31
15. 1 Samuel 27 & 28
16. Psalm 56
17. 1 Samuel 29 & 30
18. Psalm 40
19. Psalm 69
20. Psalms 86 & 87
21. Psalm 131
22. 1 Samuel 31
23. Free Day!
24. 2 Samuel 1
25. 2 Samuel 2 & 3
26. 2 Samuel 4 & 5
27. Psalm 2
28. Psalm 78
29. Psalm 16
30. 2 Samuel 6 & 7

July in Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, and Psalms

1. Judges 13 - 16
2. Judges 13 - 16
3. Judges 17 & 18
4. HAVE A HAPPY 4th!!!
5. Judges 19
6. Judges 20
7. Judges 21
8. Ruth 1 & 2
9. Ruth 3 & 4
10. 1 Samuel 1
11. Psalm 113
12. 1 Samuel 2
13. 1 Samuel 3 & 4
14. 1 Samuel 5 & 6
15. 1 Samuel 7 & 8
16. 1 Samuel 9
17. 1 Samuel 10
18. 1 Samuel 11
19. 1 Samuel 12
20. 1 Samuel 13 & 14
21. 1 Samuel 15
22. 1 Samuel 16
23. 1 Samuel 17
24. Psalm 144
25. 1 Samuel 18 & 19
26. 1 Samuel 20
27. Psalms 5 & 6
28. Psalm 59
29. Psalm 133
30. 1 Samuel 21
31. Psalm 34

Put Psalms Back up on the Old Testament Poetry Shelf

They were spread out over the entire first two years of the Bible Book Club. I hope you enjoyed reading them in their historical context!

Psalm 135 & 136 - Praise and Thanksgiving

LINK: Psalm 135 & 136  (Soak in these over the next two days) 

BACKGROUND

Psalm 135

As a perfect follow-up to Psalm 134, this is a psalm that calls on the people, priests ("house of Aaron" in 135:19), and Levites ("house of Levi" in 135:19) to praise Him from Jerusalem ("Zion").  It praises God for His greatness by recalling the past. He refers to Exodus 12:12; Numbers 21:21-25; and Joshua 12:7-24. 

The introductory phrase "Praise the Lord" is in this psalm and Psalms 146-150. This phrase is the English transliteration of the Hebrew word, hal^elû-yāh, which is a compound word combining the Hebrew words, hālal, meaning "shine/praise," and yāh, which is a contracted form of Yahweh, the personal name of God and most frequent designation for Him in the Hebrew Scripture (5321 times). 

Psalm 136

This psalm is similar to Psalm 135. Yahweh's loyal love (ḥeseḏ) is mentioned 26 times in the response portion of what might have been a responsive antiphonal reading with the people saying these words together after a leader had read the first "Give thanks" and "to Him" lines. Maybe it was the psalm read in Ezra 3:11? The response is similar to Psalm 106:1; 118:1-4. It is often called "The Great Hallel" by Jewish rabbis (See posts for Psalm 111-113; 115-117).  This kind of response was also sung at the dedication of Solomon's temple (2 Chronicles 7:3,6) and when Judah was attacked by Moab and Ammon during King Jehoshaphat's reign (2 Chronicles 20:21). 

This loyal love (ḥesed) is special for His covenant people. The word includes His love, kindness, mercy, and faithfulness all rolled into one great word!   

The fact that God is referred to as "the God of heaven" (136:26) gives an indication that it might have occurred after the exiles returned to Jerusalem since this was a title attributed to him often in Ezra (1:2; 5:11-12; 6:9-10; 7:12, 21, 23) and Nehemiah (1:4; 2:4). 

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

There are many historical references to the Exodus when He delivered His people from bondage (Exodus 15:16). This exodus is a picture for all of us of our deliverance from the bondage of sin through Jesus (1 Peter 1:18-19; John 1:29; Ephesian 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 4:12).  

How fun to be reminded of this as Christmas (and our Bible Book Club New Testament reading) fast approaches!

REFLECTION/APPLICATION/PRAYER

Christmas is a time for worship! So, pray and worship through these Psalms! They do not take long to read, but they have so much to contemplate that I want you to do it slowly, going deeper in prayer. 

I realize that I keep telling you to soak and pray through the Psalms, and I have not reminded you that I have resources for helping you do that.

Here is a downloadable handout that I created that combines both of the above in a front-to-back document:

Tools for Meditation and Study

Here are things I added to this handout that you might like to try:

1) Write a Poem

2) Write a Song

I have posted a few Michael Card songs as we have studied Genesis. Many of his songs were written after he would meditate on a passage from his pastor’s sermon. During the week, he would write a song and teach it to the congregation on the following Sunday. I have done this periodically throughout my life with the Lord, and those songs are so meaningful to me now. For example, here is a poem based on Psalm 23 that I set to music back in 1982 when I was lonely and living in Spain:

I can feel the love of God surround me as I go;

Through peaceful fields, by waters still, on high paths and on low.

The things I fear all disappear; each snare each enemy!

God’s love directs my every step, surrounds me and sets me free.

Lyrics from Sing a Song of Gladness

3) Illustrate

You may NOT be artistic, but this shouldn’t stop you from trying this fun way to meditate on Scripture. My old roommates and I would meditate this way together, and we would decorate the walls in our stairwell with our artwork! Years later, I did it with my children as we “meditated” through The Beginner’s Bible when they were 3 & 5. It was so much fun. Break out the colored pencils or crayons and enjoy God’s presence in pictures. Use color and creativity and even get others involved!

Another variation of this is to use magazine pictures and cut and paste your meditations or take a picture in nature that illustrates your meditation. I know many of you take great pictures too!

4) Pray Responsively

Praying through the Scriptures brings the Word to a personal level. We can read a small portion and respond back in prayer. John 15:7 says that if we abide in Him and His words abide in us we can ask whatever we wish, and it shall be done for us. Praying Scripture is definitely His will. Here is an example of praying Colossians 3:12:

"Lord, thank You for choosing me and making me holy and beloved because of Jesus. Because I am beloved by You, I want to love others with that love! Please help me to put on my 'love clothes.' I want to be compassionate, kind, humble, and gentle with my kids. Give me patience as Paul interrupts me while I type this" (Paul was five years old when I wrote this. He is better now.).

The Psalms are great to pray through alone or with a friend! The first devotional time I ever had with my discipler in college was praying through a psalm.  Take turns reading a couple of verses and then responding to God in prayer.

Psalm 128, 130, 134 - Blessings of the Pilgrim

LINK: Psalm 128, 130, 134

BACKGROUND

"Joy, which is the small publicity of the pagan,

is the gigantic secret of the Christian."

G.K. Chesterton

Read yesterday's post if you need a reminder about the "Songs of Ascent." 

Psalm 128 

This is a psalm about family. Blessings and prosperity are a result of our fear (meaning reverence and awe) and obedience to God.

Psalm 130

This is not only a Song of Ascent but also the sixth of seven penitential psalms (others are Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, and 143). The first four are attributed to David, but the last three are anonymous. It is a sincere expression of sorrow for sin and assurance of the Lord's forgiveness as we confess. It is perfect for entrance into the temple. 

Psalm 134

As the last of the fourteen Songs of Ascent, the pilgrims arrived in the sanctuary and addressed the priests and the Levites, the watchmen who are serving in the temple. Arriving at their destination, the only response is worship and sharing blessings from Zion (Jerusalem).  The group of psalms following Psalm 134 are all about praising the Lord.

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

Which does your home most closely resemble: (a) the eye of the hurricane, or (b) the hurricane itself?

Psalm 128 describes a family scene, with father, mother (the fruitful vine), and children (olive plants) assembled around the table. It's a picture of tranquility, harmony, and stability. And at first, it may be a scene you have trouble envisioning in your house. (As one harried housewife described it, "Getting my kids to sit still at the dinner table is like trying to nail jelly to the floor!")

But don't miss the point of the psalm. The psalmist is not trying to turn your dining room into a setting for Better Homes and Gardens, but rather to show you the path to true happiness in the home. Even in the midst of chaotic schedules, you can find satisfaction and stability as a family if you will keep uppermost these three things: reverence (fearing the Lord, v. 1a), obedience (walking in His ways, v. 1b), and perseverance (laboring to make it work at any price, v, 2).

This evening, call a family council to discuss ways to put Psalm 128 to work in your home. God has a blessing for your family if only you will follow the blueprint. Will you commit yourself to reverence, obedience, and perseverance in your home?  (The Daily Walk, June 26, 2008, p. 32) 

I love this: keep reverence, obedience, and perseverance uppermost!

How is it going in your home? 

There is an excellent book that helps you write out a blueprint for your family written by the late Stephen Covey, Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families.

PRAYER

Pray through these three psalms for your prayer time today!

Psalm 121-123 - The Pilgrim's Protection and Plea

LINK: Psalm 121-123

BACKGROUND

Over the next two days, we will finish up the Songs/Psalms of Ascent. Here is a review of these special psalms from a previous post: 

An Introduction to the Songs of Ascent

Psalms 120 - 134 are part of a group of Psalms called the "Songs of Ascent" or "Pilgrim Psalms."  "Ascent" is from a root that means "to go up," as ascending a stairway.  They were sung by Jewish travelers on their way up to the temple in Jerusalem for the three annual feasts (Exodus 23:14-19; 34:22-24) - Passover in spring, Pentecost in early summer, and Tabernacles in the fall. Jerusalem was the highest city in Palestine at 2,600 feet above sea level. So, the pilgrims spent much of their time ascending to the city and then ascending the steps to the temple. Jesus' family was taking the journey to Passover in Luke 2:41-52.

Each psalm is a "step" along the journey. The Mishnah (the writings on the Jewish tradition that was compiled in AD 200) states that the fifteen psalms correspond to the fifteen steps that led up from the Court of Women to the Court of Israelites in the temple.

Psalm 120 begins in a hostile, distant land, Psalm 121 is the journey through the hills to Jerusalem, and Psalm 122 is their arrival! The rest of the psalms are about moving toward and up the ascending steps to the temple while contemplating various characteristics of God. While on the journey, the pilgrims would contemplate the blessings of walking with God.

What a beautiful picture! Eugene H. Peterson writes in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society :

But the ascent was not only literal, it was also a metaphor: the trip to Jerusalem lived a life upward toward God, an existence that advanced from one level to another in developing maturity -- what Paul described as "the goal, where God is beckoning us onward -- to Jesus"(Phil 3:14). (p. 18)

Psalm 121 

This may have been an antiphonal psalm where a leader on the pilgrimage would recite the first two verses, and the group would answer with the next two, back and forth until the end.  The Hebrew word, šāmar, is repeated six times in only eight verses but is translated as "keeps, keeper, protect, and guard" in the New American Standard Version. 

In the pilgrims' journey, God "keeps" us from all harm. There were apostate Jewish shrines on the hills outside of Jerusalem where pagan gods were worshiped (2 Kings 16:4; Jeremiah 3:23; 13:27; 17:2; Hosea 4:11-13). This psalm affirms that God is higher than any of them. He created the hills!

Psalm 122

The superscription of this psalm attributes the authorship to David, but it fits with the time of Ezra and Nehemiah when the exiles ascended to Jerusalem!

David refers to "going up" according to ordinances/statutes. This probably refers to the three Jewish feasts I mentioned in the introduction to the Songs of Ascent. He asks the people to pray for the peace and security of this great city. 

Psalm 123

The psalm lifts his eyes toward God and pleads for mercy. 

REFLECTION

We are all pilgrims on a journey toward God, and I love the image these psalms project!

APPLICATION/PRAYER

Your application is to pray responsibly and personally through these psalms. 

Psalm 119 - God's Word

LINK: Psalm 119 (Soak in and pray through this psalm for the next three days)

BACKGROUND 

This psalm is the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. It focuses on the Word of God and its importance in the life of the believer. It is to be obeyed, shared, followed, kept, observed, used as a judgment between right and wrong, our authority for living, and looked to for promises!

It is written in an acrostic form with the first line of each eight-sentence paragraph beginning with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. 22 letters x 8 verses per paragraph = 176 total verses. 

The anonymous psalmist uses many ways to describe God's Word (each a little different in the different translations we all may be reading from):

• Law - tôrâh  
• Testimony - ‘ēḏâh 
• Way(s) - darak, derek 
• Path - ’ōraḥ 
• Precepts - piqqûḏîm (found only in the Psalms and always plural) 
• Statutes - ḥūqqîm (in the Psalms, it is always plural) 
• Commandment(s) - miṣwâh
•  Judgment(s)/Ordinances - mišpoṭ 
• Word - dāḇār 
• Saying/Promise - ’imrâh

(Some do not count "ways" as a synonym for God's Word, but I have included it in the list)

All of the synonyms for God's Word are mentioned in one form or another in all but seven verses of this wonderful psalm.

If you were not convinced of the importance of immersing yourself in the Word of God before reading Psalm 119, I hope you are now!

REFLECTION

I memorized and took to heart Psalm 119:9, 11 many years ago:

How can a young man keep his way pure? 

By keeping it according to Your word.  

Your word I have treasured in my heart, 

That I may not sin against You.

I prayed through this psalm for the first time in 1980. I did not know that all those different words were about one thing: God's Word. I hope my list helped you. I was a young believer wanting to really learn to love God's Word.  I am still learning. 

I have prayed many times through each line of Psalm 119 for myself and for those God has given me to help grow in Christ since that first time in 1980. The Word of God is ESSENTIAL for growth. We need to treasure it in our hearts and take it in every day. 

How important is God's Word to you? It is my prayer that God will establish His Word in you, and He will bear fruit through you as a result!

APPLICATION 

Over the next three days, pray through this psalm and plead with God like the psalmist did! This is about 59 verses a day. So, if you cannot do that in three days, no worries, take as much time as you need!

PRAYER

Read the history behind this song based on Psalm 119:105

Lord, Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You (119:38). Amen.