Daily Scripture Reflection
My soul longs for your salvation; I put my hope in your word. The arrogant have dug pits for me; defying your teaching. Praise the Lord, my soul; I shall praise the Lord all my life, Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Lord, my heart is not proud; nor are my eyes haughty. Wait a little, and the wicked will be no more; look for them and they will not be there. The wicked plot against the just and grind their teeth at them; The wicked draw their swords; they string their bows Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. But not the wicked! Therefore the wicked will not survive judgment, nor will sinners in the assembly of the just. The Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life. I write you these things about those who would deceive you. As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him. How can the young walk without fault? Only by keeping your words. I find joy in the way of your decrees more than in all riches. My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. And this I know with confidence, that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me when I come to you again.
My eyes long to see your promise. When will you comfort me?
I am like a wineskin shriveled by smoke, but I have not forgotten your laws.
How long can your servant survive? When will your edict doom my foes?
All your commands are steadfast. Help me! I am pursued without cause.
They have almost ended my life on earth, but I do not forsake your precepts.
In your kindness give me life, to keep the decrees you have spoken.
sing praise to my God while I live.
Put no trust in princes, in mere mortals powerless to save.
When they breathe their last, they return to the earth;
that day all their planning comes to nothing.
Happy those whose help is Jacob’s God, whose hope is in the Lord, their God,
the maker of heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free; the Lord gives sight to the blind.
The Lord raises up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord protects the stranger, sustains the orphan and the widow,
but thwarts the way of the wicked.
The Lord shall reign forever, your God, Zion, through all generations!
I do not busy myself with great matters, with things too sublime for me.
Rather, I have stilled my soul, hushed it like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me.
Israel, hope in the Lord, now and forever.
But the poor will possess the land, will delight in great prosperity.
But the Lord laughs at them, knowing their day is coming.
to fell the poor and oppressed,
to slaughter those whose way is honest.
Their swords will pierce their own hearts; their bows will be broken.
Relent, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants!
Fill us at daybreak with your love, that all our days we may sing for joy.
Make us glad as many days as you humbled us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble
Show your deeds to your servants, your glory to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God be ours. Prosper the work of our hands!
Prosper the work of our hands!
They are like chaff driven by the wind.
With all my heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commands.
In my heart I treasure your promise, that I may not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your laws.
With my lips I recite all the edicts you have spoken.
I will ponder your precepts and consider your paths.
In your laws I take delight; I will never forget your word.