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 Sun, Aug 3

Psalm 80

Psalm 80^[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm.

¹Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.^(A)
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,^(B)
shine forth ²before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.^(C)
Awaken^(D) your might;
come and save us.^(E)

³Restore^(F) us,^(G) O God;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.^(H)

⁴How long,^(I) Lord God Almighty,
will your anger smolder^(J)
against the prayers of your people?
⁵You have fed them with the bread of tears;^(K)
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.^(L)
⁶You have made us an object of derision^[b] to our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.^(M)

⁷Restore us, God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.^(N)

⁸You transplanted a vine^(O) from Egypt;
you drove out^(P) the nations and planted^(Q) it.
⁹You cleared the ground for it,
and it took root and filled the land.
¹⁰The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches.
¹¹Its branches reached as far as the Sea,^[c]
its shoots as far as the River.^[d]^(R)

¹²Why have you broken down its walls^(S)
so that all who pass by pick its grapes?
¹³Boars from the forest ravage^(T) it,
and insects from the fields feed on it.
¹⁴Return to us, God Almighty!
Look down from heaven and see!^(U)
Watch over this vine,
¹⁵the root your right hand has planted,
the son^[e] you have raised up for yourself.

¹⁶Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire;^(V)
at your rebuke^(W) your people perish.
¹⁷Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
the son of man^(X) you have raised up for yourself.
¹⁸Then we will not turn away from you;
revive^(Y) us, and we will call on your name.

¹⁹Restore us, Lord God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.

Footnotes:

Psalm 80:1 In Hebrew texts 80:1-19 is numbered 80:2-20.
Psalm 80:6 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text contention
Psalm 80:11 Probably the Mediterranean
Psalm 80:11 That is, the Euphrates
Psalm 80:15 Or branch

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 77

Psalm 77^[a]

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.

¹I cried out to God^(A) for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
²When I was in distress,^(B) I sought the Lord;
at night^(C) I stretched out untiring hands,^(D)
and I would not be comforted.^(E)

³I remembered^(F) you, God, and I groaned;^(G)
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.^[b]^(H)
⁴You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.^(I)
⁵I thought about the former days,^(J)
the years of long ago;
⁶I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

⁷“Will the Lord reject forever?^(K)
Will he never show his favor^(L) again?
⁸Has his unfailing love^(M) vanished forever?
Has his promise^(N) failed for all time?
⁹Has God forgotten to be merciful?^(O)
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?^(P)”

¹⁰Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.^(Q)
¹¹I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles^(R) of long ago.
¹²I will consider^(S) all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”^(T)

¹³Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?^(U)
¹⁴You are the God who performs miracles;^(V)
you display your power among the peoples.
¹⁵With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,^(W)
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

¹⁶The waters^(X) saw you, God,
the waters saw you and writhed;^(Y)
the very depths were convulsed.
¹⁷The clouds poured down water,^(Z)
the heavens resounded with thunder;^(AA)
your arrows^(AB) flashed back and forth.
¹⁸Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,^(AC)
your lightning^(AD) lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.^(AE)
¹⁹Your path^(AF) led through the sea,^(AG)
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

²⁰You led your people^(AH) like a flock^(AI)
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.^(AJ)

Footnotes:

Psalm 77:1 In Hebrew texts 77:1-20 is numbered 77:2-21.
Psalm 77:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 9 and 15.

Cross references:

Psalm 77:1 : S 1Ki 8:52
Psalm 77:2 : S Ge 32:7; S 2Sa 22:7; S Ps 118:5
Psalm 77:2 : Ps 6:6; 22:2; 88:1
Psalm 77:2 : S Ex 9:29; S Job 11:13
Psalm 77:2 : S Ge 37:35; Mt 2:18
Psalm 77:3 : Ps 78:35
Psalm 77:3 : Ex 2:23; S Ps 6:6; Jer 45:3
Psalm 77:3 : S Ps 6:2
Psalm 77:4 : S Ps 39:2
Psalm 77:5 : Dt 32:7; Ps 44:1; 143:5; Ecc 7:10
Psalm 77:7 : S 1Ch 28:9
Psalm 77:7 : Ps 85:1; 102:13; 106:4
Psalm 77:8 : S Ps 6:4; 90:14
Psalm 77:8 : 2Pe 3:9
Psalm 77:9 : Ps 25:6; 40:11; 51:1
Psalm 77:9 : Isa 49:15
Psalm 77:10 : S Ex 15:6
Psalm 77:11 : S Ne 9:17
Psalm 77:12 : S Ge 24:63
Psalm 77:12 : Ps 143:5
Psalm 77:13 : S Ex 15:11; S Ps 71:19; 86:8
Psalm 77:14 : S Ex 3:20; S 34:10
Psalm 77:15 : S Ex 6:6
Psalm 77:16 : Ex 14:21, 28; Isa 50:2; Hab 3:8
Psalm 77:16 : Ps 114:4; Hab 3:10
Psalm 77:17 : S Jdg 5:4
Psalm 77:17 : S Ex 9:23; S Ps 29:3
Psalm 77:17 : S Dt 32:23
Psalm 77:18 : S Ps 55:8
Psalm 77:18 : S 2Sa 22:13
Psalm 77:18 : S Jdg 5:4
Psalm 77:19 : S Ex 14:22
Psalm 77:19 : S Job 9:8
Psalm 77:20 : S Ex 13:21
Psalm 77:20 : Ps 78:52; Isa 63:11
Psalm 77:20 : S Ex 4:16; S Nu 33:1

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 79

A psalm of Asaph.

¹O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;^(A)
they have defiled^(B) your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.^(C)
²They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,^(D)
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.^(E)
³They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury^(F) the dead.^(G)
⁴We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
of scorn^(H) and derision to those around us.^(I)

⁵How long,^(J) Lord? Will you be angry^(K) forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?^(L)
⁶Pour out your wrath^(M) on the nations
that do not acknowledge^(N) you,
on the kingdoms
that do not call on your name;^(O)
⁷for they have devoured^(P) Jacob
and devastated his homeland.

⁸Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;^(Q)
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.^(R)
⁹Help us,^(S) God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.^(T)
¹⁰Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”^(U)

Before our eyes, make known among the nations
that you avenge^(V) the outpoured blood^(W) of your servants.
¹¹May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
¹²Pay back into the laps^(X) of our neighbors seven times^(Y)
the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
¹³Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,^(Z)
will praise you forever;^(AA)
from generation to generation
we will proclaim your praise.

Cross references:

Psalm 79:1 : S Ex 34:9
Psalm 79:1 : S Lev 20:3
Psalm 79:1 : S 2Ki 25:9; S Ne 4:2; S Isa 6:11
Psalm 79:2 : Rev 19:17-18
Psalm 79:2 : S Dt 28:26; Jer 7:33
Psalm 79:3 : Jer 25:33; Rev 11:9
Psalm 79:3 : Jer 16:4
Psalm 79:4 : S Ps 39:8; S Eze 5:14
Psalm 79:4 : Ps 44:13; 80:6
Psalm 79:5 : S Ps 74:10
Psalm 79:5 : Ps 74:1; 85:5
Psalm 79:5 : S Dt 29:20; Ps 89:46; Zep 3:8
Psalm 79:6 : S Ps 2:5; 69:24; 110:5; Rev 16:1
Psalm 79:6 : Ps 147:20; Jer 10:25
Psalm 79:6 : S Ps 14:4
Psalm 79:7 : Isa 9:12; Jer 10:25
Psalm 79:8 : S Ge 9:25; Jer 44:21
Psalm 79:8 : Ps 116:6; 142:6
Psalm 79:9 : S 2Ch 14:11
Psalm 79:9 : Ps 25:11; 31:3; Jer 14:7
Psalm 79:10 : S Ps 42:3
Psalm 79:10 : Ps 94:1; S Rev 6:10
Psalm 79:10 : ver 3
Psalm 79:12 : Isa 65:6; Jer 32:18
Psalm 79:12 : S Ge 4:15
Psalm 79:13 : S Ps 74:1
Psalm 79:13 : Ps 44:8

New International Version (NIV)

2 Samuel 7:1-17

God’s Promise to David^(A)

7 After the king was settled in his palace^(B) and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies^(C) around him,^(D) ²he said to Nathan^(E) the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house^(F) of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”^(G)

³Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind,^(H) go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

⁴But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:

⁵“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you^(I) the one to build me a house to dwell in?^(J) ⁶I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day.^(K) I have been moving from place to place with a tent^(L) as my dwelling.^(M) ⁷Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites,^(N) did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd^(O) my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house^(P) of cedar?^(Q)”’

⁸“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock,^(R) and appointed you ruler^(S) over my people Israel.^(T) ⁹I have been with you wherever you have gone,^(U) and I have cut off all your enemies from before you.^(V) Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.^(W) ¹⁰And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant^(X) them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.^(Y) Wicked^(Z) people will not oppress them anymore,^(AA) as they did at the beginning ¹¹and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders^[a]^(AB) over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.^(AC)

“‘The Lord declares^(AD) to you that the Lord himself will establish^(AE) a house^(AF) for you: ¹²When your days are over and you rest^(AG) with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood,^(AH) and I will establish his kingdom.^(AI) ¹³He is the one who will build a house^(AJ) for my Name,^(AK) and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.^(AL) ¹⁴I will be his father, and he will be my son.^(AM) When he does wrong, I will punish him^(AN) with a rod^(AO) wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. ¹⁵But my love will never be taken away from him,^(AP) as I took it away from Saul,^(AQ) whom I removed from before you. ¹⁶Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me^[b]; your throne^(AR) will be established^(AS) forever.^(AT)’”

¹⁷Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

Footnotes:

2 Samuel 7:11 Traditionally judges
2 Samuel 7:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts you

Cross references:

New International Version (NIV)

Acts 18:1-11

In Corinth

18 After this, Paul left Athens^(A) and went to Corinth.^(B) ²There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,^(C) because Claudius^(D) had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, ³and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.^(E) ⁴Every Sabbath^(F) he reasoned in the synagogue,^(G) trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

⁵When Silas^(H) and Timothy^(I) came from Macedonia,^(J) Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.^(K) ⁶But when they opposed Paul and became abusive,^(L) he shook out his clothes in protest^(M) and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads!^(N) I am innocent of it.^(O) From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”^(P)

⁷Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.^(Q) ⁸Crispus,^(R) the synagogue leader,^(S) and his entire household^(T) believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

⁹One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision:^(U) “Do not be afraid;^(V) keep on speaking, do not be silent. ¹⁰For I am with you,^(W) and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” ¹¹So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.^(X)

New International Version (NIV)

Mark 8:11-21

¹¹The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven.^(A) ¹²He sighed deeply^(B) and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” ¹³Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

¹⁴The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. ¹⁵“Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast^(C) of the Pharisees^(D) and that of Herod.”^(E)

¹⁶They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

¹⁷Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?^(F) ¹⁸Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? ¹⁹When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

“Twelve,”^(G) they replied.

²⁰“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

They answered, “Seven.”^(H)

²¹He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”^(I)

Cross references:

Mark 8:11 : S Mt 12:38
Mark 8:12 : Mk 7:34
Mark 8:15 : 1Co 5:6-8
Mark 8:15 : Lk 12:1
Mark 8:15 : S Mt 14:1; Mk 12:13
Mark 8:17 : Isa 6:9, 10; Mk 6:52
Mark 8:19 : Mt 14:20; Mk 6:41-44; Lk 9:17; Jn 6:13
Mark 8:20 : ver 6-9; Mt 15:37
Mark 8:21 : Mk 6:52

New International Version (NIV)

For Today's Prayers click here

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Greatest Commandment

"‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” [Mark 12:29-31]

Daily Scripture 8/3/2025

DAILY READINGS, August 3 - 10

SUNDAY: Morning: Psalm 93, 96; Evening: Psalm 34; Judges 6:1-24; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Mark 3:20-30

MONDAY: Morning: Psalm 80; Evening: Psalm 77, [79]; Judges 6:25-40; Acts 2:37-47; John 1:1-18

TUESDAY: Morning: Psalm 78:1-39; Evening: Psalm 78:40-72; Judges 7:1-18; Acts 3:1-11; John 1:19-28

WEDNESDAY: Morning: Psalm 119:97-120; Evening: Psalm 81, 82; Judges 7:19-8:12; Acts 3:12-26; John 1:29-42

THURSDAY: Morning: Psalm [83] *or* 145; Evening: Psalm 85, 86; Judges 8:22-35; Acts 4:1-12; John 1:43-51

FRIDAY: Morning: Psalm 88; Evening: Psalm 91, 92; Judges 9:1-16,19-21; Acts 4:13-31; John 2:2-12

SATURDAY: Morning: Psalm 87, 90; Evening: Psalm 136; Judges 9:22-25,50-57; Acts 4:32-5:11; John 2:13-25

SUNDAY: Morning: Psalm 66, 67; Evening: Psalm 19, 46; Judges 11:1-11,29-40; 2 Corinthians 11:21-31; Mark 4:35-41

FOR THE WEEK: Hosea 11:1-11; Psalm 107:1-9, 43; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21 Luke 18

Today's Scripture & Prayer

Daily Bible Reading & Praying with the Church

Today's Scripture & Prayer

Daily Bible Reading & Praying with the Church

Reading for Sun, Aug 3

Psalm 80

Psalm 80[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm.

Footnotes:

Cross references:

Psalm 77

Psalm 77[a]

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.

Footnotes:

Cross references:

Psalm 79

Psalm 79

A psalm of Asaph.

Cross references:

2 Samuel 7:1-17

God’s Promise to David(A)

Footnotes:

Cross references:

Acts 18:1-11

In Corinth

Cross references:

Mark 8:11-21

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

Cross references:

Psalm 80^[a]

Psalm 77^[a]

God’s Promise to David^(A)