Item number three on our list of Seven Faith Practices is “read and study the Bible.” Each week we, as a congregation, will be reading one chapter from a book of the Bible. Currently, we are reading from the book of Psalms.
We will continue with our “one chapter per week” schedule. I hope you will consider joining us as we practice our faith!
The reading schedule is listed below.
Faith Practice #3 Reading Schedule...
for the week starting…
(Book 1)
April 12 – Psalm 1
April 19 – Psalm 2
April 26 – Psalm 3
May 3 – Psalm 4
May 10 – Psalm 5
May 17 – Psalm 6
May 24 – Psalm 7
May 31 – Psalm 8
June 7 – Psalm 9
June 14 – Psalm 10
June 21 – Psalm 11
June 28 – Psalm 12
July 5 – Psalm 13
July 12 – Psalm 14
July 19 – Psalm 15
July 26 – Psalm 16
August 2 – Psalm 17
August 9 – Psalm 18
August 16 – Psalm 19
August 23 – Psalm 20
August 30 – Psalm 21
September 6 – Psalm 22
September 13 – Psalm 23
September 20 – Psalm 24
September 27 – Psalm 25
October 4 – Psalm 26
October 11 – Psalm 27
October 18 – Psalm 28
October 25 – Psalm 29
November 1 – Psalm 30
November 8 – Psalm 31
November 15 – Psalm 32
November 22 – Psalm 33
November 29 – Psalm 34
December 6 – Psalm 35
December 13 – Psalm 36
December 20 – Psalm 37
December 27 – Psalm 38
January 3 – Psalm 39
January 10 – Psalm 40
January 17 – Psalm 41
The Book of Psalms, which is generally believed to be the most widely read of all the books in the Old Testament, is part hymnbook, part prayer book, part wisdom literature, and part anthology of poems that express the religious feelings of the Israelites throughout the various periods of their national history. The subject matter of the Psalms is astonishingly broad. On one hand, it proclaims praise and prayer for God Most High (Psalm 50:14), and on the other, it embraces human experience as intimate as lamenting a lost mother (Psalm 35:14). The Book of Psalms has a special significance for understanding the religious life of ancient Israel. The prophets and scribes provide some insight concerning what the Hebrews thought, but the psalms give the clearest indication of what the Hebrews felt. Here, we find a revelation of the hopes, the joys, the sorrows, the loyalties, the doubts, and the aspirations of the human heart.
The Psalms are of varying length (but most are pretty short) and there are a lot of them, however, we will continue with our ‘one chapter per week’ reading plan. Over the course of the next few years (150 Psalms!), we will discuss the different types of Psalms (lament, praise, worship, royal, etc.) and the different uses for Psalms. One suggestion is praying through the Psalms. Augustine of Hippo said, “If the psalm prays, you pray. If the psalm laments, you lament. If the psalm exalts, you rejoice. If it hopes, you hope. If it fears, you fear. Everything written here is a mirror for us.” As you pray the Psalms, you will learn how to pray in every season, whether rejoicing with those who rejoice or mourning with those who mourn.
