American Bible Society Daily Bible Reading and Daily Prayer for Wednesday, 7 March 2012

From The American Bible Society:

Having trouble reading this? Large Print Version | Print this page March 7, 2012 Psalm 59 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Pray for One Another Introduction Psalm 59: Today’s psalm is another prayer for God’s protection from enemies and is attributed to David, referring to a time when King Saul sent men to watch David’s house at night and to kill him in the morning (see 1 Samuel 19). The writer expresses confidence in God, and the psalm concludes with an affirmation of God’s constant love. Today’s Scripture: Psalm 59:17 I will praise you, my defender. My refuge is God, the God who loves me. Today’s Reading 1 Save me from my enemies, my God; protect me from those who attack me! 2 Save me from those evil people; rescue me from those murderers! 3 Look! They are waiting to kill me; cruel people are gathering against me. It is not because of any sin or wrong I have done, 4 nor because of any fault of mine, O LORD, that they hurry to their places. 5 Rise, LORD God Almighty, and come to my aid; see for yourself, God of Israel! Wake up and punish the heathen;show no mercy to evil traitors! 6 They come back in the evening, snarling like dogs as they go about the city. 7 Listen to their insults and threats. Their tongues are like swords in their mouths, yet they think that no one hears them. 8 But you laugh at them, LORD; you mock all the heathen. 9 I have confidence in your strength; you are my refuge, O God. 10 My God loves me and will come to me; he will let me see my enemies defeated. 11 Do not kill them, O God, or my people may forget. Scatter them by your strength and defeat them, O Lord, our protector.12 Sin is on their lips; all their words are sinful; may they be caught in their pride! Because they curse and lie, 13 destroy them in your anger; destroy them completely. Then everyone will know that God rules in Israel, that his rule extends over all the earth. 14 My enemies come back in the evening, snarling like dogs as they go about the city, 15 like dogs roaming about for foodand growling if they do not find enough. 16 But I will sing about your strength; every morning I will sing aloud of your constant love. You have been a refuge for me, a shelter in my time of trouble. 17 I will praise you, my defender. My refuge is God, the God who loves me.  Reflect Reread verses 1-7. How is the situation of the writer described? What verses in this psalm express the writer’s trust in God? Have you ever experienced a time of uncertainty when you needed to put your trust in God alone? Pray Almighty God, you alone are my refuge. Whenever I am afraid, I know that you are always near. Keep me close to you and calm my fears so that I may dwell in the safety of your constant love. Amen. Prayer Concern Those living in fear Tomorrow's Reading Psalm 61: Finding safety with God. © 2011 American Bible Society. All Rights Reserved. 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023-7505 Privacy Statement | Contact Us | Photo Policy | Financial Information