Today's Scripture & Prayer

Daily Bible Reading & Praying with the Church

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Today's Scripture & Prayer

Daily Bible Reading & Praying with the Church


The congregation of Countryside is encouraged to not only read ahead in the texts we will be sharing and studying together during our services, but also to personally read the Scriptures together as a congregation. Here you will find Scripture for the day (a Psalm for each morning (always at least the first Psalm) and night, and selections from the Old Testament, New Testament and Gospels), as well as weekly and daily prayers. Together we read through the New Testament once a year, and the Old Testament every two years. The Scripture selections, and the prayers, are from common sources used by most Christians throughout the world.

The historic church found expression in the same rhythms of worship and devotion that were evident in the early church, and among the Hebrews, God's people, before that.  Our hope is that the regular reminder will be of encouragement to us all to join the people of God in reading the Scriptures and praying. Both are meant to go together with our daily prayer and communion service.

Reading for Tue, Jun 2

Psalm 45

Psalm 45[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.[b] A wedding song.(A)

1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

2 You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,(B)
since God has blessed you forever.(C)

3 Gird your sword(D) on your side, you mighty one;(E)
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.(F)
4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously(G)
in the cause of truth, humility and justice;(H)
let your right hand(I) achieve awesome deeds.(J)
5 Let your sharp arrows(K) pierce the hearts(L) of the king’s enemies;(M)
let the nations fall beneath your feet.
6 Your throne, O God,[c] will last for ever and ever;(N)
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
7 You love righteousness(O) and hate wickedness;(P)
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing(Q) you with the oil of joy.(R)
8 All your robes are fragrant(S) with myrrh(T) and aloes(U) and cassia;(V)
from palaces adorned with ivory(W)
the music of the strings(X) makes you glad.
9 Daughters of kings(Y) are among your honored women;
at your right hand(Z) is the royal bride(AA) in gold of Ophir.(AB)

10 Listen, daughter,(AC) and pay careful attention:(AD)
Forget your people(AE) and your father’s house.
11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;(AF)
honor(AG) him, for he is your lord.(AH)
12 The city of Tyre(AI) will come with a gift,[d](AJ)
people of wealth will seek your favor.
13 All glorious(AK) is the princess within her chamber;
her gown is interwoven with gold.(AL)
14 In embroidered garments(AM) she is led to the king;(AN)
her virgin companions(AO) follow her—
those brought to be with her.
15 Led in with joy and gladness,(AP)
they enter the palace of the king.

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
you will make them princes(AQ) throughout the land.

17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;(AR)
therefore the nations will praise you(AS) for ever and ever.(AT)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 45:1 In Hebrew texts 45:1-17 is numbered 45:2-18.
  2. Psalm 45:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 45:6 Here the king is addressed as God’s representative.
  4. Psalm 45:12 Or A Tyrian robe is among the gifts

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 45:1 : SS 1:1
  2. Psalm 45:2 : Lk 4:22
  3. Psalm 45:2 : Ps 21:6
  4. Psalm 45:3 : S Dt 32:41; Ps 149:6; Rev 1:16
  5. Psalm 45:3 : S 2Sa 1:19
  6. Psalm 45:3 : S Job 40:10; S Ps 21:5
  7. Psalm 45:4 : Rev 6:2
  8. Psalm 45:4 : Zep 2:3
  9. Psalm 45:4 : Ps 21:8
  10. Psalm 45:4 : S Dt 4:34; Ps 65:5; 66:3
  11. Psalm 45:5 : S Dt 32:23
  12. Psalm 45:5 : S Nu 24:8
  13. Psalm 45:5 : Ps 9:13; 92:9
  14. Psalm 45:6 : S Ge 21:33; La 5:19
  15. Psalm 45:7 : Ps 33:5
  16. Psalm 45:7 : S Ps 11:5
  17. Psalm 45:7 : Ps 2:2; Isa 45:1; 61:1; Zec 4:14
  18. Psalm 45:7 : S Ps 23:5; Heb 1:8-9*
  19. Psalm 45:8 : Pr 27:9; SS 1:3; 4:10
  20. Psalm 45:8 : S Ge 37:25
  21. Psalm 45:8 : S Nu 24:6; Jn 19:39
  22. Psalm 45:8 : S Ex 30:24
  23. Psalm 45:8 : S 1Ki 22:39
  24. Psalm 45:8 : Ps 144:9; 150:4; Isa 38:20
  25. Psalm 45:9 : SS 6:8
  26. Psalm 45:9 : 1Ki 2:19
  27. Psalm 45:9 : Isa 62:5
  28. Psalm 45:9 : S Ge 10:29
  29. Psalm 45:10 : Ru 1:11
  30. Psalm 45:10 : Jer 5:1
  31. Psalm 45:10 : Ru 1:16
  32. Psalm 45:11 : S Est 1:11; S La 2:15
  33. Psalm 45:11 : Eph 5:33
  34. Psalm 45:11 : 1Pe 3:6
  35. Psalm 45:12 : S Jos 19:29
  36. Psalm 45:12 : S 1Ki 9:16; S 2Ch 9:24
  37. Psalm 45:13 : Isa 61:10
  38. Psalm 45:13 : Ex 39:3
  39. Psalm 45:14 : S Jdg 5:30
  40. Psalm 45:14 : Est 2:15
  41. Psalm 45:14 : SS 1:3
  42. Psalm 45:15 : S Est 8:17
  43. Psalm 45:16 : 1Sa 2:8; Ps 68:27; 113:8
  44. Psalm 45:17 : S Ex 3:15; Ps 33:11; 119:90; 135:13
  45. Psalm 45:17 : Ps 138:4
  46. Psalm 45:17 : S Ps 21:4; Rev 22:5
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 47-48

Psalm 47[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 Clap your hands,(A) all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.(B)

2 For the Lord Most High(C) is awesome,(D)
the great King(E) over all the earth.
3 He subdued(F) nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance(G) for us,
the pride of Jacob,(H) whom he loved.[b]

5 God has ascended(I) amid shouts of joy,(J)
the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.(K)
6 Sing praises(L) to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;(M)
sing to him a psalm(N) of praise.

8 God reigns(O) over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.(P)
9 The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings[c] of the earth belong to God;(Q)
he is greatly exalted.(R)

Psalm 48[d]

A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1 Great is the Lord,(S) and most worthy of praise,(T)
in the city of our God,(U) his holy mountain.(V)

2 Beautiful(W) in its loftiness,
the joy of the whole earth,
like the heights of Zaphon[e](X) is Mount Zion,(Y)
the city of the Great King.(Z)
3 God is in her citadels;(AA)
he has shown himself to be her fortress.(AB)

4 When the kings joined forces,
when they advanced together,(AC)
5 they saw her and were astounded;
they fled in terror.(AD)
6 Trembling seized(AE) them there,
pain like that of a woman in labor.(AF)
7 You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish(AG)
shattered by an east wind.(AH)

8 As we have heard,
so we have seen
in the city of the Lord Almighty,
in the city of our God:
God makes her secure
forever.[f](AI)

9 Within your temple, O God,
we meditate(AJ) on your unfailing love.(AK)
10 Like your name,(AL) O God,
your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;(AM)
your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11 Mount Zion rejoices,
the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments.(AN)

12 Walk about Zion, go around her,
count her towers,(AO)
13 consider well her ramparts,(AP)
view her citadels,(AQ)
that you may tell of them
to the next generation.(AR)

14 For this God is our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide(AS) even to the end.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 47:1 In Hebrew texts 47:1-9 is numbered 47:2-10.
  2. Psalm 47:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
  3. Psalm 47:9 Or shields
  4. Psalm 48:1 In Hebrew texts 48:1-14 is numbered 48:2-15.
  5. Psalm 48:2 Zaphon was the most sacred mountain of the Canaanites.
  6. Psalm 48:8 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 47:1 : S 2Ki 11:12
  2. Psalm 47:1 : S Ps 33:3
  3. Psalm 47:2 : Ge 14:18
  4. Psalm 47:2 : S Dt 7:21
  5. Psalm 47:2 : Ps 2:6; 48:2; 95:3; Mt 5:35
  6. Psalm 47:3 : Ps 18:39, 47; Isa 14:6
  7. Psalm 47:4 : Ps 2:8; 16:6; 78:55; 1Pe 1:4
  8. Psalm 47:4 : Am 6:8; 8:7
  9. Psalm 47:5 : Ps 68:18; Eph 4:8
  10. Psalm 47:5 : S Job 8:21; S Ps 106:5
  11. Psalm 47:5 : S Nu 10:2; S 2Sa 6:15
  12. Psalm 47:6 : S 2Sa 22:50
  13. Psalm 47:7 : Zec 14:9
  14. Psalm 47:7 : 1Ch 16:7; Col 3:16
  15. Psalm 47:8 : S 1Ch 16:31
  16. Psalm 47:8 : S 1Ki 22:19; S Ps 9:4; Rev 4:9
  17. Psalm 47:9 : S Job 25:2
  18. Psalm 47:9 : Ps 46:10; 97:9
  19. Psalm 48:1 : Ps 86:10; 96:4; 99:2; 135:5; 147:5; Jer 10:6
  20. Psalm 48:1 : S 2Sa 22:4; S 1Ch 16:25; Ps 18:3
  21. Psalm 48:1 : S Ps 46:4
  22. Psalm 48:1 : S Dt 33:19; Ps 2:6; 87:1; Isa 11:9; 32:16; Jer 31:23; Da 9:16; Mic 4:1; Zec 8:3
  23. Psalm 48:2 : Ps 50:2; La 2:15; Eze 16:14
  24. Psalm 48:2 : S Jos 13:27
  25. Psalm 48:2 : S Ps 2:6
  26. Psalm 48:2 : Mt 5:35
  27. Psalm 48:3 : ver 13; Ps 122:7
  28. Psalm 48:3 : Ps 18:2
  29. Psalm 48:4 : 2Sa 10:1-19
  30. Psalm 48:5 : Ex 15:16; Isa 13:8; Jer 46:5; Da 5:9
  31. Psalm 48:6 : S Job 4:14
  32. Psalm 48:6 : S Ge 3:16
  33. Psalm 48:7 : S Ge 10:4; S 1Ki 10:22; 22:48
  34. Psalm 48:7 : S Ge 41:6
  35. Psalm 48:8 : Jer 23:6; Zec 8:13; 14:11
  36. Psalm 48:9 : S Ps 39:3
  37. Psalm 48:9 : Ps 6:4
  38. Psalm 48:10 : S Ex 6:3; S Jos 7:9
  39. Psalm 48:10 : 1Sa 2:10; Ps 22:27; 65:5; 98:3; 100:1; Isa 11:12; 24:16; 42:10; 49:6
  40. Psalm 48:11 : Ps 97:8
  41. Psalm 48:12 : S Ne 3:1
  42. Psalm 48:13 : 2Sa 20:15; Isa 26:1; La 2:8; Hab 2:1
  43. Psalm 48:13 : S ver 3
  44. Psalm 48:13 : Ps 71:18; 78:6; 109:13
  45. Psalm 48:14 : Ps 25:5; 73:24; Pr 6:22; Isa 49:10; 57:18; 58:11
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Ecclesiastes 2:16-26

16 For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered;(A)
the days have already come when both have been forgotten.(B)
Like the fool, the wise too must die!(C)

Toil Is Meaningless

17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.(D) 18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.(E) 19 And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish?(F) Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun?(G) 23 All their days their work is grief and pain;(H) even at night their minds do not rest.(I) This too is meaningless.

24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink(J) and find satisfaction in their own toil.(K) This too, I see, is from the hand of God,(L) 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?(M) 26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom,(N) knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth(O) to hand it over to the one who pleases God.(P) This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Cross references:

  1. Ecclesiastes 2:16 : S Ps 112:6
  2. Ecclesiastes 2:16 : S Ecc 1:11
  3. Ecclesiastes 2:16 : Ps 49:10
  4. Ecclesiastes 2:17 : S Ecc 1:14
  5. Ecclesiastes 2:18 : Ps 39:6; 49:10
  6. Ecclesiastes 2:19 : S ver 15
  7. Ecclesiastes 2:22 : S Ecc 1:3
  8. Ecclesiastes 2:23 : S Ecc 1:18
  9. Ecclesiastes 2:23 : S Ge 3:17; S Job 7:2
  10. Ecclesiastes 2:24 : ver 3; 1Co 15:32
  11. Ecclesiastes 2:24 : S ver 1; Ecc 3:22
  12. Ecclesiastes 2:24 : S Job 2:10; Ecc 3:12-13; 5:17-19; 7:14; 9:7-10; 11:7-10
  13. Ecclesiastes 2:25 : S Ps 127:2
  14. Ecclesiastes 2:26 : S Job 9:4
  15. Ecclesiastes 2:26 : S Job 27:17
  16. Ecclesiastes 2:26 : S Pr 13:22
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Galatians 1:18-2:10

18 Then after three years,(A) I went up to Jerusalem(B) to get acquainted with Cephas[a] and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James,(C) the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God(D) that what I am writing you is no lie.(E)

21 Then I went to Syria(F) and Cilicia.(G) 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea(H) that are in Christ.(I) 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith(J) he once tried to destroy.”(K) 24 And they praised God(L) because of me.

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

2 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem,(M) this time with Barnabas.(N) I took Titus(O) along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation(P) and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.(Q) I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race(R) in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus,(S) who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.(T) 4 This matter arose because some false believers(U) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on(V) the freedom(W) we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel(X) might be preserved for you.

6 As for those who were held in high esteem(Y)—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism(Z)—they added nothing to my message.(AA) 7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task(AB) of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,[b](AC) just as Peter(AD) had been to the circumcised.[c] 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle(AE) to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle(AF) to the Gentiles. 9 James,(AG) Cephas[d](AH) and John, those esteemed as pillars,(AI) gave me and Barnabas(AJ) the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.(AK) They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles,(AL) and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor,(AM) the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Footnotes:

  1. Galatians 1:18 That is, Peter
  2. Galatians 2:7 That is, Gentiles
  3. Galatians 2:7 That is, Jews; also in verses 8 and 9
  4. Galatians 2:9 That is, Peter; also in verses 11 and 14

Cross references:

  1. Galatians 1:18 : Ac 9:22, 23
  2. Galatians 1:18 : Ac 9:26, 27
  3. Galatians 1:19 : Mt 13:55; S Ac 15:13
  4. Galatians 1:20 : S Ro 1:9
  5. Galatians 1:20 : S Ro 9:1
  6. Galatians 1:21 : S Lk 2:2
  7. Galatians 1:21 : S Ac 6:9
  8. Galatians 1:22 : 1Th 2:14
  9. Galatians 1:22 : S Ro 16:3
  10. Galatians 1:23 : Ac 6:7
  11. Galatians 1:23 : S Ac 8:3
  12. Galatians 1:24 : S Mt 9:8
  13. Galatians 2:1 : Ac 15:2
  14. Galatians 2:1 : S Ac 4:36
  15. Galatians 2:1 : S 2Co 2:13
  16. Galatians 2:2 : S 1Co 2:10
  17. Galatians 2:2 : Ac 15:4, 12
  18. Galatians 2:2 : S 1Co 9:24
  19. Galatians 2:3 : ver 1; S 2Co 2:13
  20. Galatians 2:3 : Ac 16:3; 1Co 9:21
  21. Galatians 2:4 : S Ac 1:16; 2Co 11:26
  22. Galatians 2:4 : Jude 4
  23. Galatians 2:4 : Gal 5:1, 13
  24. Galatians 2:5 : ver 14
  25. Galatians 2:6 : ver 2
  26. Galatians 2:6 : S Ac 10:34; S Rev 2:23
  27. Galatians 2:6 : 1Co 15:11
  28. Galatians 2:7 : 1Th 2:4; 1Ti 1:11
  29. Galatians 2:7 : S Ac 9:15
  30. Galatians 2:7 : ver 9, 11, 14
  31. Galatians 2:8 : Ac 1:25
  32. Galatians 2:8 : S 1Co 1:1
  33. Galatians 2:9 : S Ac 15:13
  34. Galatians 2:9 : ver 7, 11, 14
  35. Galatians 2:9 : 1Ti 3:15; Rev 3:12
  36. Galatians 2:9 : ver 1; S Ac 4:36
  37. Galatians 2:9 : S Ro 12:3
  38. Galatians 2:9 : S Ac 9:15
  39. Galatians 2:10 : S Ac 24:17
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Matthew 13:53-58

A Prophet Without Honor(A)

53 When Jesus had finished these parables,(B) he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue,(C) and they were amazed.(D) “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?(E) Isn’t his mother’s(F) name Mary, and aren’t his brothers(G) James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense(H) at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”(I)

58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Cross references:

  1. Matthew 13:53 : 13:54-58pp — Mk 6:1-6
  2. Matthew 13:53 : S Mt 7:28
  3. Matthew 13:54 : S Mt 4:23
  4. Matthew 13:54 : S Mt 7:28
  5. Matthew 13:55 : Lk 3:23; Jn 6:42
  6. Matthew 13:55 : S Mt 12:46
  7. Matthew 13:55 : S Mt 12:46
  8. Matthew 13:57 : Jn 6:61
  9. Matthew 13:57 : Lk 4:24; Jn 4:44
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.