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 Wed, Oct 22
Psalm 38
Psalm 38[a]
A psalm of David. A petition.
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.(A)
2 Your arrows(B) have pierced me,
and your hand has come down on me.
3 Because of your wrath there is no health(C) in my body;
there is no soundness in my bones(D) because of my sin.
4 My guilt has overwhelmed(E) me
like a burden too heavy to bear.(F)
5 My wounds(G) fester and are loathsome(H)
because of my sinful folly.(I)
6 I am bowed down(J) and brought very low;
all day long I go about mourning.(K)
7 My back is filled with searing pain;(L)
there is no health(M) in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;(N)
I groan(O) in anguish of heart.(P)
9 All my longings(Q) lie open before you, Lord;
my sighing(R) is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds,(S) my strength fails(T) me;
even the light has gone from my eyes.(U)
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;(V)
my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps,(W)
those who would harm me talk of my ruin;(X)
all day long they scheme and lie.(Y)
13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,(Z)
like the mute, who cannot speak;
14 I have become like one who does not hear,
whose mouth can offer no reply.
15 Lord, I wait(AA) for you;
you will answer,(AB) Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat(AC)
or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”(AD)
17 For I am about to fall,(AE)
and my pain(AF) is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;(AG)
I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies(AH) without cause[b];
those who hate me(AI) without reason(AJ) are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil(AK)
lodge accusations(AL) against me,
though I seek only to do what is good.
21 Lord, do not forsake me;(AM)
do not be far(AN) from me, my God.
22 Come quickly(AO) to help me,(AP)
my Lord and my Savior.(AQ)
Footnotes:
- Psalm 38:1 In Hebrew texts 38:1-22 is numbered 38:2-23.
- Psalm 38:19 One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; Masoretic Text my vigorous enemies
Cross references:
- Psalm 38:1 : Ps 6:1
- Psalm 38:2 : S Job 6:4
- Psalm 38:3 : Pr 3:8; 4:22
- Psalm 38:3 : S Job 33:19
- Psalm 38:4 : Ps 40:12; 65:3
- Psalm 38:4 : S Nu 11:14; S Ezr 9:6; Lk 11:46
- Psalm 38:5 : ver 11; Ps 147:3
- Psalm 38:5 : Job 19:17
- Psalm 38:5 : Ps 69:5; Pr 5:23; 12:23; 13:16; Ecc 10:3
- Psalm 38:6 : Ps 57:6; 145:14; 146:8
- Psalm 38:6 : S Ps 35:14
- Psalm 38:7 : S Job 14:22
- Psalm 38:7 : ver 3
- Psalm 38:8 : Ps 34:18; Pr 17:22
- Psalm 38:8 : S Ps 6:6; 22:1; Pr 5:11
- Psalm 38:8 : S Ps 6:3
- Psalm 38:9 : Ps 119:20; 143:7
- Psalm 38:9 : S Job 3:24
- Psalm 38:10 : S Job 37:1
- Psalm 38:10 : S Ps 31:10
- Psalm 38:10 : S Ps 6:7; S 19:8; 88:9
- Psalm 38:11 : S ver 5
- Psalm 38:12 : Ps 31:4; 140:5; 141:9
- Psalm 38:12 : Ps 35:4; 41:5
- Psalm 38:12 : S Ps 35:20
- Psalm 38:13 : Ps 115:6; 135:17; Isa 43:8; Mk 7:37
- Psalm 38:15 : Ps 27:14
- Psalm 38:15 : Ps 17:6
- Psalm 38:16 : S Ps 22:17
- Psalm 38:16 : S Dt 32:35
- Psalm 38:17 : S Ps 37:24
- Psalm 38:17 : ver 7; S Job 6:10
- Psalm 38:18 : S Lev 26:40
- Psalm 38:19 : S Ps 18:17
- Psalm 38:19 : S Ps 25:19
- Psalm 38:19 : S Ps 35:19
- Psalm 38:20 : S Ge 44:4; 1Jn 3:12
- Psalm 38:20 : Ps 54:5; 59:10; 119:23
- Psalm 38:21 : Ps 27:9; 71:18; 119:8
- Psalm 38:21 : S Ps 10:1; S 22:11; 35:22; 71:12
- Psalm 38:22 : S Ps 22:19
- Psalm 38:22 : Ps 40:13
- Psalm 38:22 : S 1Ch 16:35
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Psalm 119:25-48
ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust;(A)
preserve my life(B) according to your word.(C)
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.(D)
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.(E)
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;(F)
strengthen me(G) according to your word.(H)
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;(I)
be gracious to me(J) and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen(K) the way of faithfulness;(L)
I have set my heart(M) on your laws.
31 I hold fast(N) to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
ה He
33 Teach me,(O) Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding,(P) so that I may keep your law(Q)
and obey it with all my heart.(R)
35 Direct me(S) in the path of your commands,(T)
for there I find delight.(U)
36 Turn my heart(V) toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.(W)
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life(X) according to your word.[b](Y)
38 Fulfill your promise(Z) to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace(AA) I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long(AB) for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.(AC)
ו Waw
41 May your unfailing love(AD) come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise;(AE)
42 then I can answer(AF) anyone who taunts me,(AG)
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,(AH)
for I have put my hope(AI) in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,(AJ)
for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.(AK)
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings(AL)
and will not be put to shame,(AM)
47 for I delight(AN) in your commands
because I love them.(AO)
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate(AP) on your decrees.
Footnotes:
- Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
- Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way
Cross references:
- Psalm 119:25 : Ps 44:25
- Psalm 119:25 : ver 50, 107; Ps 143:11
- Psalm 119:25 : ver 9
- Psalm 119:26 : Ps 25:4; 27:11; 86:11
- Psalm 119:27 : Ps 105:2; 145:5
- Psalm 119:28 : Ps 6:7; 116:3; Isa 51:11; Jer 45:3
- Psalm 119:28 : Ps 18:1; Isa 40:29; 41:10
- Psalm 119:28 : ver 9
- Psalm 119:29 : Ps 26:4
- Psalm 119:29 : S Nu 6:25
- Psalm 119:30 : S Jos 24:22
- Psalm 119:30 : S Ps 26:3
- Psalm 119:30 : S Ps 108:1
- Psalm 119:31 : S Dt 10:20
- Psalm 119:33 : ver 12
- Psalm 119:34 : ver 27, 73, 144, 169; S Job 32:8; Pr 2:6; Da 2:21; Jas 1:5
- Psalm 119:34 : S Dt 6:25
- Psalm 119:34 : ver 69
- Psalm 119:35 : Ps 25:4-5
- Psalm 119:35 : ver 32
- Psalm 119:35 : S Ps 1:2
- Psalm 119:36 : S Jos 24:23
- Psalm 119:36 : Eze 33:31
- Psalm 119:37 : ver 25; Ps 71:20
- Psalm 119:37 : ver 9
- Psalm 119:38 : S Nu 23:19
- Psalm 119:39 : ver 22; Ps 69:9; 89:51; Isa 25:8; 51:7; 54:4
- Psalm 119:40 : ver 20
- Psalm 119:40 : ver 25, 149, 154
- Psalm 119:41 : S Ps 6:4
- Psalm 119:41 : ver 76, 116, 154, 170
- Psalm 119:42 : Pr 27:11
- Psalm 119:42 : S Ps 42:10
- Psalm 119:43 : S 1Ki 17:24
- Psalm 119:43 : ver 74, 81, 114, 147
- Psalm 119:44 : ver 33, 34, 55; S Dt 6:25
- Psalm 119:45 : ver 94, 155
- Psalm 119:46 : Mt 10:18; Ac 26:1-2
- Psalm 119:46 : S ver 6
- Psalm 119:47 : ver 77, 143; S Ps 112:1
- Psalm 119:47 : ver 97, 127, 159, 163, 165
- Psalm 119:48 : S Ge 24:63
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Lamentations 2:8-15
8 The Lord determined to tear down
the wall around Daughter Zion.(A)
He stretched out a measuring line(B)
and did not withhold his hand from destroying.
He made ramparts(C) and walls lament;
together they wasted away.(D)
9 Her gates(E) have sunk into the ground;
their bars(F) he has broken and destroyed.
Her king and her princes are exiled(G) among the nations,
the law(H) is no more,
and her prophets(I) no longer find
visions(J) from the Lord.
10 The elders of Daughter Zion
sit on the ground in silence;(K)
they have sprinkled dust(L) on their heads(M)
and put on sackcloth.(N)
The young women of Jerusalem
have bowed their heads to the ground.(O)
11 My eyes fail from weeping,(P)
I am in torment within(Q);
my heart(R) is poured out(S) on the ground
because my people are destroyed,(T)
because children and infants faint(U)
in the streets of the city.
12 They say to their mothers,
“Where is bread and wine?”(V)
as they faint like the wounded
in the streets of the city,
as their lives ebb away(W)
in their mothers’ arms.(X)
13 What can I say for you?(Y)
With what can I compare you,
Daughter(Z) Jerusalem?
To what can I liken you,
that I may comfort you,
Virgin Daughter Zion?(AA)
Your wound is as deep as the sea.(AB)
Who can heal you?
14 The visions of your prophets
were false(AC) and worthless;
they did not expose your sin
to ward off your captivity.(AD)
The prophecies they gave you
were false and misleading.(AE)
15 All who pass your way
clap their hands at you;(AF)
they scoff(AG) and shake their heads(AH)
at Daughter Jerusalem:(AI)
“Is this the city that was called
the perfection of beauty,(AJ)
the joy of the whole earth?”(AK)
Cross references:
- Lamentations 2:8 : ver 18
- Lamentations 2:8 : S 2Ki 21:13
- Lamentations 2:8 : S Ps 48:13
- Lamentations 2:8 : Isa 3:26; S Jer 39:8; S 52:14
- Lamentations 2:9 : S Ne 1:3
- Lamentations 2:9 : S Isa 45:2; Hos 11:6
- Lamentations 2:9 : Dt 28:36; S 2Ki 24:15; Jer 16:13; Hos 3:4
- Lamentations 2:9 : S 2Ch 15:3
- Lamentations 2:9 : S 1Sa 3:1
- Lamentations 2:9 : S Jer 14:14
- Lamentations 2:10 : La 3:28
- Lamentations 2:10 : S Jos 7:6
- Lamentations 2:10 : Job 2:12
- Lamentations 2:10 : S Isa 3:24
- Lamentations 2:10 : S Job 2:13; S Isa 3:26; Eze 27:30-31
- Lamentations 2:11 : S Ps 119:82; S Isa 15:3; S La 1:16; 3:48-51
- Lamentations 2:11 : S Job 30:27; La 1:20
- Lamentations 2:11 : S Isa 1:5
- Lamentations 2:11 : ver 19; Ps 22:14
- Lamentations 2:11 : S Jer 9:1
- Lamentations 2:11 : La 4:4
- Lamentations 2:12 : Isa 24:11
- Lamentations 2:12 : S Job 3:24
- Lamentations 2:12 : La 4:4
- Lamentations 2:13 : S Isa 1:6
- Lamentations 2:13 : S 2Ki 19:21
- Lamentations 2:13 : Isa 37:22
- Lamentations 2:13 : Jer 14:17; 30:12-15; La 1:12
- Lamentations 2:14 : S Jer 28:15
- Lamentations 2:14 : Jer 8:11
- Lamentations 2:14 : Jer 2:8; S 20:6; 23:25-32, 33-40; S 29:9; Eze 13:3; 22:28
- Lamentations 2:15 : S Nu 24:10; Eze 25:6
- Lamentations 2:15 : S Dt 28:37; S Isa 28:22; Jer 19:8; S Na 3:19
- Lamentations 2:15 : S Job 16:4
- Lamentations 2:15 : S La 1:21
- Lamentations 2:15 : Ps 45:11; S 48:2; 50:2; Eze 16:14
- Lamentations 2:15 : Ps 48:2
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery:(A) We will not all sleep,(B) but we will all be changed(C)— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,(D) the dead(E) will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable(F) must clothe itself with the imperishable,(G) and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[a](H)
56 The sting of death is sin,(J) and the power of sin is the law.(K) 57 But thanks be to God!(L) He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.(M)
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,(N) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.(O)
Footnotes:
- 1 Corinthians 15:54 Isaiah 25:8
- 1 Corinthians 15:55 Hosea 13:14
Cross references:
- 1 Corinthians 15:51 : 1Co 13:2; 14:2
- 1 Corinthians 15:51 : S Mt 9:24
- 1 Corinthians 15:51 : 2Co 5:4; Php 3:21
- 1 Corinthians 15:52 : S Mt 24:31
- 1 Corinthians 15:52 : Jn 5:25
- 1 Corinthians 15:53 : ver 42, 50, 54
- 1 Corinthians 15:53 : 2Co 5:2, 4
- 1 Corinthians 15:54 : Isa 25:8; Heb 2:14; Rev 20:14
- 1 Corinthians 15:55 : Hos 13:14
- 1 Corinthians 15:56 : S Ro 5:12
- 1 Corinthians 15:56 : S Ro 4:15
- 1 Corinthians 15:57 : S 2Co 2:14
- 1 Corinthians 15:57 : Ro 8:37; Heb 2:14, 15
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 : 1Co 16:10
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 : Isa 65:23
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Matthew 12:1-14
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath(A)(B)
12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain(C) and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”(D)
3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?(E) 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.(F) 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath(G) and yet are innocent? 6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.(H) 7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’[a](I) you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man(J) is Lord of the Sabbath.”
9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus,(K) they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”(L)
11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?(M) 12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep!(N) Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.(O)
Footnotes:
- Matthew 12:7 Hosea 6:6
Cross references:
- Matthew 12:1 : 12:1-8pp — Mk 2:23-28; Lk 6:1-5
- Matthew 12:1 : 12:9-14pp — Mk 3:1-6; Lk 6:6-11
- Matthew 12:1 : Dt 23:25
- Matthew 12:2 : ver 10; Ex 20:10; 23:12; Dt 5:14; Lk 13:14; 14:3; Jn 5:10; 7:23; 9:16
- Matthew 12:3 : 1Sa 21:6
- Matthew 12:4 : Lev 24:5, 9
- Matthew 12:5 : Nu 28:9, 10; Jn 7:22, 23
- Matthew 12:6 : ver 41, 42
- Matthew 12:7 : Hos 6:6; Mic 6:6-8; Mt 9:13
- Matthew 12:8 : S Mt 8:20
- Matthew 12:10 : Mk 3:2; 12:13; Lk 11:54; 14:1; 20:20
- Matthew 12:10 : S ver 2
- Matthew 12:11 : Lk 14:5
- Matthew 12:12 : Mt 6:26; 10:31
- Matthew 12:14 : Ge 37:18; Ps 71:10; Mt 26:4; 27:1; Mk 3:6; Lk 6:11; Jn 5:18; 7:1, 19; 11:53
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

