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 2)
Jan. 24, 2022 – Psalm 42
Jan. 31 – Psalm 43
Feb. 7 – Psalm 44
Feb. 14 – Psalm 45
Feb. 21 – Psalm 46
Feb. 28 – Psalm 47
Mar. 7 – Psalm 48
Mar. 14 – Psalm 49
Mar. 21 – Psalm 50
Mar. 28 – Psalm 51
April 4 – Psalm 52
April 11 – Psalm 53
April 18 – Psalm 54
April 25 – Psalm 55
May 2 – Psalm 56
May 9 – Psalm 57
May 16 – Psalm 58
May 23 – Psalm 59
May 30 – Psalm 60
June 6 – Psalm 61
June 13 – Psalm 62
June 20 – Psalm 63
June 27 – Psalm 64
July 4 – Psalm 65
July 11 – Psalm 66
July 18 – Psalm 67
July 25 – Psalm 68
Aug. 1 – Psalm 69
Aug. 8 – Psalm 70
Aug. 15 – Psalm 71
Aug. 22 – Psalm 72
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.
