Stop Racing Thoughts (70 Minutes Of Calm Scripture)

This track is a calm, continuous reading of scripture designed to help you stop racing thoughts. The passages are selected to create a steady, peaceful rhythm that keeps the mind relaxed and at rest. The narration is gentle and even, with no commentary or interruptions.
Let the words continue softly in the background as you remain settled in deep, uninterrupted sleep.

Transcript

Hebrews 4 So then be careful, So that none of you would come short of the promise of entering into His rest. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, Just as they also did. But the word they heard didn't benefit them, Because it wasn't mixed with faith by those who heard. For we who have believed enter into that rest, Even as He has said in Psalms, As I swore in my anger they will not enter into my rest. Although the works were finished from the beginning of the world. For He has said this somewhere about the seventh day. God rested on the seventh day from all His works. It is written in Genesis. And again in Psalms, They will not enter into my rest. Seeing that some should enter into it, And those who had the good news preached to them before failed to enter in because of their disobedience, He again defines a certain day and calls it today, Saying through David a long time later, Just as has been said in Psalms, Today, If you will hear His voice, Don't harden your hearts. For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken later of another day. There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For he who has entered into His rest has himself also rested from His works, As God did from His. Let's therefore be absolutely certain to enter into that rest, So that none of you repeat the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, Piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit of both joints and marrow, And is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. There is no creature that is hidden from His sight, But all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of God, Who we must give an account to. Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, The Son of God, Let's hold tightly to our confession. For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our sicknesses, But one who has been tempted in all ways, Like we are yet, Was without sin. So then, Let's go to the throne of grace with boldness, That we may receive mercy and find grace for help in our time of need. On your wondrous works. Men will speak of the power of your awesome acts. I will declare your greatness. They will tell the memory of your great goodness and will sing of your righteousness. God is gracious, Merciful, Slow to anger, And of great love and kindness. God is good to all. His tender mercies are over all His works. All your works will give thanks to you, God. Your saints will extol you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom and talk about your power, To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, The glory of the majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Your rule endures throughout all generations. God is faithful in all His works and loving in all His works. God upholds all who fall and raises up those who are bowed down. The eyes of all wait for you. You give them their food in due season. You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. God is righteous in all His ways and gracious in all His works. God is near to all those who call on Him, To all who call on Him in truth. He will fulfill the desires of those who fear Him. He will also hear their cry and will save them. God preserves all those who love Him, But He will destroy all the wicked. My mouth will speak the praise of God. Let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever. Philippians 4 Because of this, Believers, Loved and missed, My joy and crown, Stand firm in the Lord in this way, My loved ones. I urge Euodia and Syntyche to think the same way in the Lord. Yes, I beg you also, True partner, Help these women, For they worked with me in advancing the good news with Clement also and the rest of my fellow believers whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious about nothing. Instead, In everything, By prayer, With thanksgiving, Let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, Which exceeds all understanding, Will guard your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, Brothers, Whatever things are true, Honorable, Just, Pure, Lovely, Admirable, If there is any virtue and if there is any praise, Think about these types of things. The things which you learned, Received, Heard, And saw in me, Do them, And the God of peace will be with you. I rejoice in the Lord greatly, That now at last you have revived your concern for me. You did have concern before, But you lacked opportunity to help. I don't say this because I am in need, For I have learned in whatever condition I am, To be content in it. I know how to live in humble circumstances and also in prosperity. In all things, I learn the secret, Whether I am filled or hungry, Rich or in need, I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me. However, You did well and that you shared in my difficulty. You Philippians yourselves know that when I first brought you the good news and then I departed from Macedonia, No other church shared with me in the matter of financial giving and receiving, But you only. For even when I was in Thessalonica, You sent aid more than once for my need. Not that I am seeking for a gift, But I seek that you will have fruit that will increase to your account. But I have everything I need and more. I am well supplied after receiving from Epaphroditus the things that came from you. They are a sweet-smelling fragrance, An acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, Especially those who are of Caesar's household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Colossians 3 Since you were raised with Christ, Pursue the things that are above, Where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, Not on the things that are on the earth. For you died, And your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, Is revealed, Then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. So put to death the sinful desires in you, Which are of the earth, Sexual immorality, Impurity, Immoral passion, Evil desire, And greed, Which is idolatry. Because of these things, The anger of God comes on the children of disobedience. You used to walk in these ways when you lived in them, But now be done with them all. Anger, Rage, Hatred, Slander, And disgraceful speaking. Don't lie to one another, Since you have put off your old sinful man with his doings, And have put on the new man, Who is being renewed in the knowledge like the image of his Creator. In this, There can't be Greek or Jew, Circumcision and uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, Slave, Or free person, But only Christ, Who is all and is in all. So, As God's chosen ones, Holy and loved, Apply a heart of compassion, Kindness, Modesty, Humility, And perseverance, Bearing with one another and forgiving each other, And if anyone has a complaint against another person, Forgive each other, Just as Christ forgave you. Above all these things, Walk in love, Which is the bond of perfection, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, As you were called in one body, And be thankful. Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. In all wisdom, Teach and caution one another with psalms, Hymns, And spiritual songs, Singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. Whatever you do, In word or in action, Do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, Giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Wives, Be subject to your husbands, As is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, Love your wives and don't be bitter against them. Children, Obey your parents in all things, For this pleases the Lord. Fathers, Don't irritate your children so that they won't be discouraged. Servants, Obey your masters in all things, Not just when they are looking to please them, But wholeheartedly, Fearing God. And whatever you do, Work wholeheartedly, As for the Lord, And not for men, Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, For you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will likewise receive for the wrong that he has done, And there is no favoritism. Romans 8 Because of this, There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, Who don't walk according to the flesh, But according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. For what the law couldn't do, In that it was weak through the flesh, God did, Sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin. He condemned sin in the flesh, That the rule of the law might be fulfilled in us, Who walk not after the flesh, But after the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, But those who live according to the Spirit, The things of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death, But the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, Because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God, For it refuses God's law and will not do so. Those who are in the flesh can't please God, But you are not in the flesh, But instead are in the Spirit, If the Holy Spirit is in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, He does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, The body is dead because of sin, But the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Holy Spirit who raised up Jesus from the dead is in you, He will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who is in you. So then, Brothers, We are debtors, Not to the flesh, By living after its desires. Because if you live for its desires, You must die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the flesh, You will live. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. You didn't receive the spirit of slavery again to fear, But you received the spirit of adoption, By whom we cry, Daddy, Father. The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. And if we are children, Then we are also heirs, Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, If we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not even worth being compared to the glory which will be revealed to us. For all creation waits with eager expectation for God's children to be revealed. For creation was subject to futility, Not of its own will, But because of Him who subjected it, In hope that the creation itself will also be delivered from the slavery of decay into the freedom of the glory of God's children. For we know that all of creation groans and labors in pain together until now. Not only is this so, But we ourselves, Who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, Even we groan within ourselves, Waiting for adoption, The redemption of our bodies. For we were saved in hope, But hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he has already? But if we hope for that which we don't see, We wait for it with patience. In the same way, The Spirit also helps us with our weaknesses. For we don't know how to pray as we should, But the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be spoken. He who searches the heart knows what is on the Spirit's mind, Because he makes intercession for the saints according to God's will. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, Those who are called according to His purpose. For those that God knew would follow Him, He also predetermined them to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, That Jesus would be the firstborn among many brothers. Those He predetermined, He also called. Those He called, He also justified. Those He justified, He also glorified. What then can we say about these things? If God is for us, Who can be against us? God didn't spare His own Son, But gave Him up for all of us. So, How would He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It's God who justifies. Who is it that condemns? Instead, It is Christ who died. He was raised from the dead and sits at the right hand of God and also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could domination, Torture, Harassment, Starvation, Nakedness, Danger, Or the sword? Even as it is written in the Psalms, For your sake we are killed all day long. We were counted as sheep for the slaughter. No, In all these things, We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. For I am convinced that neither death, Nor life, Nor angels, Nor principalities, Nor things present, Nor things to come, Nor powers, Nor height, Nor depth, Nor any created thing will be able to separate us from God's love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 15 Now we who are strong in our faith should help those who aren't and not live to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor in what is good to help build them up. For even Christ didn't please himself, But as it is written in Psalms, The criticisms of those who criticized you fell on me. For whatever things were written before were written for us to learn from. That through perseverance and through encouragement of the scriptures, We might have hope. Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement will help you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus so that with unity you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, Accept one another, Even as Christ accepted you to the glory of God. Now, I say that Christ has been made a servant of the Jewish people for God's truth so that he would confirm the promises given to the forefathers and that the Gentiles would glorify God for his mercy. As it is written in Samuel and Psalms, Therefore, I will give praise to you among the Gentiles and sing to your name. Again, He says in Deuteronomy, Rejoice, You Gentiles, With his people. And in Psalms it states, Praise the Lord, All you Gentiles. Let all the peoples praise him. Isaiah records this, There will be the root of Jesse, He who arises to rule over the Gentiles. In him the Gentiles will hope. Now, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing him, That you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I myself am also convinced, Brothers, That you are full of goodness, Knowledge, And able to caution others. But I write more boldly to you, In part to remind you, Because of God's grace to me, That I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, Serving as a priest of the good news of God, That in presenting them, They would be made acceptable and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, My boasting in Christ Jesus is in my service to God. For I would not dare to speak of anything except that which Christ worked through me by word and action to bring the Gentiles to obedience, By the power of signs and miracles, And the power of God's Spirit, So that from Jerusalem, And as far as to Illilicrum, I have fully preached the good news of Christ. I have made it my aim to preach the good news where Christ wasn't known, So that I would not build on someone else's work. As it is written in Isaiah, They will see to whom no news of him came. They who haven't heard will understand. Because of this, I was prevented many times in coming to you. But now, No longer having any place to work in these regions, And having desired for many years to come to you, I will do so when I travel to Spain. For I hope to see you on my way, And to be helped on my way by you, If I may first enjoy your company for a while. But now I say, I am going to Jerusalem, Serving the saints. For it has been the joy of those in Macedonia and Acacia to provide a gift for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem. Yes, It has been their joy, And they are debtors to them. For if the Gentiles have been made participants of their spiritual things, They owe it to them to serve them in material things. So, When I have accomplished this and have given them this gift, I will go on by way of you to Spain. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the good news of Christ. Now, I beg you, Brothers, By our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit that you struggle along with me in prayers to God for me, That I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, And that my service, Which I have planned for Jerusalem, May be acceptable to the saints there, So that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, And together with you find rest. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Will not lack any good thing. Come, You children, Listen to me. I will teach you the fear of God. Who is someone who wants a long and prosperous life? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Stay far from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. God's eyes are on the righteous. His ears listen to their cry. God's face is against those who do evil to cut off their memory from the earth. The righteous cry and God hears. He delivers them out of all their troubles. God is near to those who have a broken heart and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Many are the difficulties of the righteous, But God delivers him out of them all. He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken. Evil will kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous will be condemned. God redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. Psalm 30 A Song for the Dedication of the Temple by David I will praise you, God, For you have raised me up and have not let my enemies rejoice over me. God, My God, I cried to you, And you have healed me. God, You have brought up my soul from the grave. You have kept me alive so that I will not go down to the pit. Sing praise to God, You saints of his. Give thanks to his holy name. For his anger lasts but for a moment. His favor lasts for a lifetime. Weeping may remain through the night, But joy comes in the morning. As for me, I said in my prosperity, I will never be moved. You, God, When you favored me, Made my mountain stand strong. But when you hid your face, I was troubled. I cried to you, God. I made petitions to the Lord. What profit is there in my destruction if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it declare your truth? Hear, God, And have mercy on me. God, Be my helper. You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my funeral clothes and clothed me with gladness. So, My heart will sing praise to you and not be silent. God, My God, I will give thanks to you forever. Psalm 37 by David Don't be worried about those who are evil or envy those who sin. For they will soon be cut down like grass and wither away like a green plant. Trust in God and do good. Live in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Also, Delight yourself in God, And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to God, Trust in Him, And He will do this. He will make your righteousness shine like a light and your justice like the sun at noon. Rest in God and wait patiently for Him. Don't worry about those who prosper in their evil, Those who plot wickedness. Don't be angry and abandon rage. Don't fret, It only leads to sin. For sinners will be cut off, But those who wait for God will inherit the land. For after a little while, The wicked will be no more. Yes, Though you look for them, They will be gone. But the humble will inherit the land and will delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plots against the just and snarls their teeth at them. The Lord will laugh at them, For He sees that theirs is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword and have prepared their bow to throw down the poor in need, To kill those who are upright on the path. Their sword will enter into their own heart. Their bows will be broken. Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of the wicked. For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But God upholds the righteous. God knows the days of the blameless. Their inheritance will be forever. They will not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine, They will be satisfied. But the wicked will perish. The enemies of God will be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish, Disappearing like smoke. The wicked borrow and don't pay back. But the righteous give generously. They are blessed by God and will inherit the land. Those who are cursed by God will be cut off. A man's steps are made firm by God. He delights in his path. Though he stumbles, He will not fall, For God holds him up with His hand. I have been young, And now I am old. But I have never seen the righteous abandon or his children begging for bread. All day long, He deals graciously and lends. His children are blessed. Depart from evil and do good. Live securely forever. For God loves justice and doesn't abandon His saints. They are preserved forever. But the children of the wicked will be cut off. The righteous will inherit the land and live in it forever. The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice. The law of God is in his heart. None of his steps will slide. The wicked watch the righteous and look to kill him. God will not leave him in their evil hands or condemn him when he is judged. Wait for God and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, You will see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, Spreading themselves like a green tree in its native soil. But they passed away and were no more. Yes, I looked, But they could not be found. Make note of the blameless man and see the upright, For there is a future for the man of peace. As for sinners, They will all be destroyed. The future of the wicked will be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is from God. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. God helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them because they have taken refuge in Him. Psalm 4 For the Chief Musician on Stringed Instruments A Prayer Song by David Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my suffering. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. People, How long will my glory be turned into shame? Will you love arrogance and chase after lies? Know that God has set apart for Himself those who are godly. God will hear me when I call Him. Stand in awe and don't sin. Search your own heart on your bed and be still. Offer righteous sacrifices. Put your trust in God. Many say, Who will bless us? God, Let the light of your face shine on us. You have put joy in my heart more than when grain and new wine increase. In peace, I will lay and sleep. For you, God alone, Make me live in safety. Psalm 23 A Prayer Song by David God is my shepherd. I will lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For you are with me. Your rod and your staff, They comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and love and kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in God's house forever. Psalm 16 A Poem by David Protect me, God, For I take shelter in you. I have said to God, You are my Lord. Apart from you, I have nothing good. As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the excellent ones that I greatly admire. Those who offer gifts to another God will have their sorrows multiplied. I will not participate in their drink offerings of blood or speak the names of their gods. God, You have given me my share and my cup. You have made me secure. You have greatly blessed me. Yes, I have a good inheritance. I will praise God, Who has given me instruction. Yes, In my heart He instructs me in the night. I have set God always before me, Because He is at my right hand. I will not be moved. Therefore, My heart is glad, And I proclaim my joy. My body will also be safe, For you will not leave my soul in the grave. Neither will you allow your Holy One to remain in the tomb. You will show me the path of life. In your presence, There is fullness of joy. In your right hand, There are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 46, For the Chief Musician, By the Sons of Korah God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore, We won't be afraid, Though the earth shakes, Though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas, Though its waters roar and are troubled, Though the mountains tremble with their swelling. There is a river, The streams of which make the city of God glad. The holy place of the tents of the Most High. God is within her. She will not be moved. God will help her at dawn. The nations raged. The kingdoms were shaken. He lifted His voice, And the earth melted. God of the armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, See God's works, What devastation He has made in the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. God of the armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 55 for the chief musician on stringed instruments, A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don't hide yourself from my prayer. Be with me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint and moan because of the voice of my enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring suffering on me. In anger, They hold a grudge against me. My heart is in agony. The terrors of death have fallen on me. Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me. I said, Oh, That I had wings like a dove. Then I would fly away and be at rest. Then I would wander far off. I would live in the wilderness. I would hurry to his shelter from the stormy wind and storm. Confuse them, Lord, And confound their language. For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Hatred and abuse are also within her. Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don't depart from her streets. For it was not my enemy who insulted me. Then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me, Who raised himself up against me. Then I would have hidden myself from him. But it was you, A man like me, My companion, And my close friend. We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with others. Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into the grave. For wickedness is among them in their dwelling. As for me, I will call on God. God will save me. Evening, Morning, And at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, Although there are many who oppose me. God, Who is enthroned forever, Will hear and answer them. They never change and don't fear God. This man raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant. His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords. Cast your burden on God, And He will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved, But you, God, Will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days, But I will trust in you. Psalm 56 My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, For there are many who proudly fight against me. When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. In God, I praise His word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can people do to me? All day long, They twist my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil. They conspire and lurk, Watching my steps. They are eager to take my life. Will they escape my sin and anger? Cast down the people, God. You keep count of my misery. You put my tears in your container. Aren't they in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day that I call. I know this, That God is for me. In God, I will praise His word. In God, I will praise His word. I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Your vows are on me, God. I will give thank offerings to you, For you have delivered my soul from death and prevented my feet from falling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living. Psalm 62, For the chief musician. To Jedithon, A prayer song by David. My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from Him. He alone is my rock, My salvation, And my fortress. I will never be greatly shaken. How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down, Like a leaning wall, Like a tottering fence? They fully intend to throw him down from his lofty place. They delight in lies. They bless with their mouth, But they curse inwardly. My soul, Wait in silence for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, My fortress. I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor is with God. The rock of my strength and my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, You people. Pour out your heart to Him. God is a refuge for us. Surely men of low standing are just a breath, And men of high standing are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath. Don't trust in oppression. Don't become vain in robbery. If riches increase, Don't set your heart on them. God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this, That power belongs to God. Also to you, Lord, Belongs love and kindness, For you reward every man according to his work. God does what is right and provides justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. God is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in love. He will not always accuse, Neither will He stay angry forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us for our sins. For as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His love toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our sins from us. Like a father has compassion on his children, So God has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust. As for man, His days are like grass, As a flower of the field, So he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, And it is gone. It's remembered no more. But God's love is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear Him. His righteousness to children's children, To those who keep His covenant, To those who remember to obey His laws. God has established His throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all. Praise God, You angels of His, Who are mighty in strength, Who fulfill His word, Obeying the voice of His word. Praise God, All you armies of His, You servants of His who do His pleasure. Praise God, All you works of His, And all places of His authority. Praise God, My soul. Psalm 112 Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who has a reverential fear of God, Who delights greatly in His commandments. His children will be mighty in the land. The descendants of the righteous will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in His house. His righteousness endures forever. Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, Gracious, Merciful, And righteous. It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain His cause in judgment, For He will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever. He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is committed, Trusting in God. His heart is unwavering. He will not be afraid in the end when He sees His enemies. He has spread good. He has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor. The wicked will see it and be grieved. They will gnash with His teeth and melt away. The desire of the wicked will perish. Psalm 121 I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from God, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. God is your keeper. God is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, Nor the moon by night. God will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul. God will keep your going out and your coming in, From this time forward and forevermore. Psalm 125 Those who trust in God are like Mount Zion, Which can't be moved but remain forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So God surrounds His people from this time forward and forevermore. For the scepter of wickedness won't remain over the portion of the righteous, So that the righteous won't use their hands to do evil. Do good, God, To those who are good, To those who are upright in their hearts. But as for those who turn away to their crooked ways, God will lead them away with the sinful. Peace be on Israel. Psalm 131 By David God, My heart isn't arrogant or my eyes disdainful, And I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me to understand. Truly, I have stilled and quieted my heart like a toddler with his mother. Like a toddler is my heart within me. Israel, Hope in God, From this time forward and forevermore. Psalm 139 For the Chief Musician A prayer song by David God, You have searched me, And you know me. You know my sitting down and my rising up. You observe my thoughts from far away. You know my path and when I am lying down and are familiar with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, God, That you do not know. You border me in front and back. You put your hand on me. This knowledge is beyond me and not understandable to me. I can't imagine it. Where could I go from your Spirit, Or where could I run from your presence? If I go up into heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in the grave, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn and settle in the remotest parts of the sea, Even there your hand will lead me, And your right hand will hold me. If I say surely the darkness will overwhelm me, The light around me will be night. Even the darkness doesn't hide from you. But the night shines like the day. The darkness is like light to you. For you form my body. You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to you, For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. My being wasn't hidden from you when I was made in secret, Woven together in the depths of the earth. You saw my body. In your book they were all written, The days that were ordained for me, Even before I was born. How precious to me are your thoughts, God. How vast is their sum. If I would count them, They would be more in number than grains of sand. When I wake up, I am still with you. If only, God, You would kill the wicked. Get away from me, You bloodthirsty men, For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain. God, Don't I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you? I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies. Search me, God, And know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 63, A prayer sung by David when he was in the desert of Judah. God, You are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. I long for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have seen you in the sanctuary, Watching your power and your glory. Because your love and kindness is better than life, My lips will praise you. So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth will praise you with joyful lips when I remember when I laid asleep and think about you in the middle of the night. For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings. My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up. But those who seek my soul to destroy it will go into the lower parts of the earth. They will be given over to the power of the sword. They will be food for jackals. But the king will rejoice in God. Everyone who swears by him will praise him. For the mouth of those who speak lies will be silenced. Psalm 84, For the chief musician. On an instrument of Gath, A psalm by the sons of Korah. How lovely is the place you inhabit, God of armies. My soul longs and even faints for the courts of God. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Yes, The sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest for herself where she may have her young. Near your altars, God of armies, My king and my God. Blessed are those who live in your house. They are always praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, Who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage, Passing through the valley of weeping. They make it a place of springs. Yes, The autumn rain covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength. Every one of them appears before God and Zion. God of armies, Hear my prayer. Listen, God of Jacob. God is our shield. Look at the face of your anointed. For a day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to live in the luxury of the wicked. For God is a sun and a shield. God will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly. God of armies, Blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalm 91 He who lives in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of God, He is my refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust. For He will deliver you from the trap of the hunter and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers. Under His wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart. You will not be afraid of the terror by night or of the arrow that flies by day or of the pestilence that walks in darkness or of the destruction that wastes in the day. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, But it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made God your refuge and the Most High your home, No evil will happen to you, Neither will any plague come near your home. For He will put His angels in charge of you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands so that you won't dash your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot. Because He has set His love on me, Therefore I will deliver Him. I will set Him on high because He has known my name. He will call on me and I will answer Him. I will be with Him in trouble. I will deliver Him and honor Him. I will satisfy Him with long life and show Him my salvation. Matthew 6 Be careful that you don't do your acts of righteousness and charity just to be seen by people or else you'll have no reward from your Father in heaven. When you do righteous acts, Don't blow a trumpet to call attention to yourself as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they will be praised by people. Most certainly, I tell you, That is the only reward they will receive. But when you do righteous acts, Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your righteous acts are done in secret. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you openly. When you pray, Don't be like the hypocrites. Because they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by people. Most definitely, I tell you, That is the only reward they will receive. But when you pray, Enter into your private room and shut the door. Then pray to your Father in secret and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you openly. When you are praying, Don't use vain repetitions like the Gentiles do for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. So, Don't be like them because your Father knows what things you need before you ask Him. Pray like this, Our Father in heaven, May your name be honored. Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Don't let us be led into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, The power and the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive others when they sin, Your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive others, Neither will your Father forgive you. Furthermore, When you fast, Don't be like the hypocrites who put on sad faces for they make faces so that others will see that they are fasting. Most definitely, I tell you, That is the only reward they will receive. But you, When you fast, Make yourself presentable and wash your face so that your fasting is not seen by others but it will be by your Father who sees what is done in secret and He will reward you. Don't store up treasures for yourself on the earth where moth and rust consume and where thieves break through and steal. But store up for yourself treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust consume and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, There your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, Your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, Your whole body will be full of darkness. If the light that is in you is darkness, How great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and money. So I tell you, Don't be worried about your life, What you will eat or what you will drink or for your body, What you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing? See the birds in the sky that they don't plant, Harvest or store food in barns. Your Heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they are? Which of you by worrying can add one moment to his lifespan? Why are you worried about clothing? Think about how the lilies of the field grow. They don't work, Neither do they make clothes. Yet I tell you that even Solomon in all of his glory was not dressed as nice as one of these. But if God clothes the grass of the field which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, Won't He much more clothe you? You of little faith. So don't be worried saying, What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? For the Gentiles search after all of these things. But your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, Don't be worried about tomorrow. For tomorrow will have its own worries. But each day's own trouble is enough. Matthew 11 When Jesus had finished instructing his 12 disciples, He left there to teach and preach in their cities. Now when John, Who was in prison, Heard about the works of Christ, He sent two of his disciples to ask him, Are you the one who comes or should we look for another? Jesus answered them, Go and tell John the things that you see and hear. The blind receive their sight, The lame walk, The lepers are cleansed, The deaf hear, The dead are raised up, And the poor have good news preached to them. Blessed is he who does not stumble because of me. As John's disciples left, Jesus spoke to the crowds concerning John. What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man in nice clothes? Those who wear nice clothes are in king's houses. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, And much more than a prophet. For he is the one who was written about in Malachi. Look, I will send a messenger before you who will prepare the way before you. Most definitely, I tell you, Of all who have ever lived, There has never been anyone greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. From the days of John the Baptist until now, The kingdom of heaven has suffered violence and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets in the law prophesied until John came. If you are willing to accept it, This is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, Let him hear. But what will I compare this generation to? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces who say to one another, We played the flute for you and you didn't dance. We mourned for you and you didn't cry. For John came neither eating or drinking and they say he has a demon. The son of man came eating and drinking and they say, Look, He is a glutton and a drunk. A friend of tax collectors and sinners. But wisdom is justified by our actions. Then he began to condemn the cities in which most of his miracles had been done because they didn't repent. There is sorrow coming to you, Korazin and Bethsaida. For if the miracles I did in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, They would have repented long ago in funeral clothes and ashes. But I tell you, It will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. You, Capernaum, Who are exalted to heaven, You will go down to hell. For if the miracles I had done in you were done in Sodom, It would still be here today. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you. Then Jesus said, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, That you hid these things from those who think themselves wise and understanding and have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, For it was well-pleasing in your sight. All things have been given to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father. Neither does anyone know the Father except the Son and those the Son desires to reveal Him. Come to me, All you who work and are heavily burdened, And I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, For I am gentle and humble in heart, And you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. John 14 Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it weren't so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you with me so that where I am, You will also be. You know where I am going and you know the way. Thomas said to him, Lord, We don't know where you are going. How can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way, The truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, You would have known my Father also. From now on, You know Him and have seen Him. Philip said to him, Lord, Show us the Father and that will be good enough for us. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you all this time and you don't know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say show us the Father? Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I tell you, They are not my own. They are from the Father who lives in me and does His works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the very works you've seen me do. Most certainly I tell you, Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do. He will do even greater works than these because I am going to my Father. Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father will be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, Keep my commandments. I will pray to the Father and He will give you the Holy Spirit so that He may be with you forever. This is the Spirit of Truth who the world can't receive for it doesn't see Him and doesn't know Him. You know Him for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you. In a little while, The world will no longer see me, But you will see me. Because I live, You will live also. On that day, You will know that I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, That person is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me is loved by my Father and I will love him and will reveal myself to him. Judas, Not Iscariot, Said to him, Lord, Why are you about to reveal yourself to us and not to the world? Jesus answered him, If a man loves me, He will keep my word. My Father will love him and will come to him and make our home with him. He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine. It is the Father's who sent me. I have said these things to you while I am still living with you. But the Counselor, The Holy Spirit, Who the Father will send in my name, Will teach you all things and will remind you of everything that I said to you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give like the world gives. Don't let your heart be troubled and don't be afraid. You heard me tell you, I am going away and I will come back to you. If you loved me, You would have rejoiced because I have said I am going to my Father. For the Father is greater than me. Now I have told you before it happens so that when it happens you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer for the Prince of this world comes and he has no power over me. But so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me. Get up. Let's be going. John 15 I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that doesn't produce fruit he takes away. Every branch that produces fruit he prunes so that it may bear more fruit. You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in me and I will remain in you. Just as the branch can't produce fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, So neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him produces an abundance of fruit. Because away from me you can do nothing. If a man doesn't remain in me he is thrown out as a branch and shrivels up and they are gathered and thrown into the fire and are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you you will ask whatever you desire and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified that you produce an abundance of fruit and show that you are my disciples. Even as the Father has loved me I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love even as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you so that my joy can remain in you and so that your joy can be made full. This is my commandment love one another like I have loved you. No one has greater love than this that they would lay down their life for their friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants for the servant doesn't know what his master does but I have called you friends for everything that I heard from my Father I have told you. You didn't choose me but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name he may give it to you. I command these things to you that you may love one another. If the world hates you you know that it hated me first. If you were of the world the world would love you as its own but because you are not of the world since I chose you out of the world it hates you. Remember the word that I said to you a servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my word they will also obey yours. They will do all these things to you because of me because they don't know Him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them they would not have been guilty of sin but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father also. If I hadn't done my works among them which no one else did they wouldn't have been guilty of sin but now they have seen and have hated both me and my Father. This has happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law. They hated me for no reason as it says in the Psalms. When the counselor comes who I will send to you from the Father who is the Spirit of Truth from the Father he will testify about me. You will also testify because you have been with me from the beginning. Isaiah 26 He lays it low to the ground. He brings it to the dust. The foot will trample it down. The foot of the poor and the steps of the needy. The way of the righteous is level. You who are upright make the path of the righteous straight. Yes, On the path of your laws God, We have waited for you. Your name and your renown are the desire of our heart. With my soul I have looked for you in the night. Yes, With my spirit within me I will seek you earnestly for when your laws are in the earth, The people learn righteousness. If favor is shown to the wicked, He will not learn righteousness. In the land of honesty, He will still do evil and will not see God's majesty. God, Your hand is lifted up, But they don't see. But they will see your passion for the people and be disappointed. Yes, Fire will consume your enemies. God, You will order peace for us. For all we have accomplished, You have done the work for us. Lord our God, Other lords beside you have had power over us, But we will only acknowledge your name. The dead will not live again. The departed spirits will not rise. You have visited and destroyed them and caused all memory of them to perish. You have increased the nation, God. You have increased the nation. You are glorified. You have extended all the borders of the land. God, In trouble, They looked to you. They poured out a prayer when your discipline was on them. Just as a woman with child who is close to giving birth is in pain and cries out, So we have been before you, God. We have been with child. We have been in pain. We gave birth, It seems, Only to wind. We have not brought any deliverance on the earth, And the people of the world have not been brought to life. But your dead will live. Their dead bodies will rise, Awake and sing, You who live in the dust. For your dew is like the dew of the herbs, And the earth will give up the departed spirits. Come my people, Enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a little moment until the anger is passed. For look, God comes from his place to punish the people of the earth for their sin. The earth will also reveal her blood, And will no longer cover her slain. Isaiah 40 Comfort, Comfort my people, Says God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and call out to her that her warfare is over, That her sin is pardoned, That she has received from God's hand double for all her sins. The voice of one calls out, Prepare the way of God in the wilderness. Make a level highway in the desert for our God. Every valley will be lifted up, And every mountain and hill will be made low. The uneven will be made level, And the rough places smooth. God's glory will be revealed, And all people will see it together. For the mouth of God has spoken it. The voice of one saying, Cry out. One said, What will I cry out? All people are like grass, And all their glory is like a flower of the field. The grass withers, The flower fades, Because God's breath blows on it. For certain, The people are like grass. The grass withers, The flower fades, But the word of God stands forever. You who tell good news to Zion, Go up on a high mountain. You who tell good news to Jerusalem, Lift up your voice with strength. Lift it up, Don't be afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, Look, Your God, See the Lord God will come as a mighty one, And will rule with his arm. Look his reward is with him, And his repayment before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arms, And carry them to his chest. He will gently lead those who have their young. Who has measured the waters in the palm of his hand, And marked off the sky with his span, And calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring cup, And weighed the mountains in a balance, And the hills on a scale? Who has directed God's Spirit, Or has taught him as his counselor? Who did he take advice with, And who instructed him, And taught him the path of justice, And taught him knowledge, And showed him the way of understanding? Look, The nations are like a drop in a bucket, And are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance. See, He lifts up the islands like a very small thing. Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, Or its animals sufficient for a burnt offering. All the nations are like nothing before him. They are regarded by him as less than nothing, And vanity. To whom then will you compare God to, Or what likeness will you compare to him? A craftsman has cast an image, And the goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts silver chains for it. He who is too poor for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful craftsman to set up a carved image for him that will not be moved. Haven't you known? Haven't you heard? Haven't you been told from the beginning? Haven't you understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, And its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings rulers to nothing, And makes the judges of the earth meaningless. They are recently planted. They are recently sown. Their stock has barely taken root in the ground. He merely blows on them, And they wither, And the whirlwind takes them away like stubble. To whom then will you compare to me? Who is my equal, Says the Holy One? Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these, Who brings out the stars by number. He calls them by name, By the greatness of his might. And because he is strong in power, Not one is missing. Why do you say, Jacob, And speak, Israel, My way is hidden from God, And the justice due me is disregarded by my God? Haven't you known? Haven't you heard? The everlasting Lord God, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Doesn't faint. He isn't tired. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak. He increases strength to the one who has none. Even the youths faint and get tired. And the young men completely fall. But those who wait for God will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not be tired. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 41 Keep silent before me, Islands, And let the nations renew their strength. Let them come near. Then let them speak. Let's meet together for judgment. Who has raised up one from the east? Who has called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands over nations to him and makes him rule over kings. He gives them like the dust to his sword, Like the driven stubble to his bow. He pursues them and passes by safely, Even by a way that he had not gone before. Who has worked and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? I, God, The first, And with the last, I am he. The islands have seen and fear. The ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come. Everyone helps his neighbor. They say to their brothers, Be strong. So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith. He who smooths it with the hammer encourages him who strikes the anvil, Saying of the work it is good, And he fastens it with nails so that it will not fall over. But you, Israel my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham my friend, You who I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, And called from its corners and said to you, You are my servant. I have chosen you and haven't tossed you aside. Don't you be afraid, For I am with you. Don't be dismayed, For I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. See, All those who are angry with you will be disappointed and confused. Those who strive with you will be like nothing and will perish. You will seek them and won't find them. Even those who oppose you, Those who war against you, Will be like nothing, Like a nonexistent thing. For I, The Lord your God, Will hold your right hand. Saying to you, Don't be afraid, I will help you. Don't be afraid, You worm, Jacob. And you men of Israel, I will help you, Says God. Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. See I have made you into a new sharp threshing tool with teeth. You will thresh the mountains and beat them small. And you will make the hills like chaff. You will winnow them and the wind will carry them away. The whirlwind will scatter them. You will rejoice in God. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel. The poor and needy seek water and there is none. Their tongue fails for thirst. I, God, Will answer them. I, The God of Israel, Will not desert them. I will open rivers on the bare hills and springs in the middle of the valleys. I will make the desert a pool of water and the dry lands springs of water. I will put cedar, Acacia, Myrtle, And olive trees in the wilderness. I will set cypress trees, Pines, And evergreen trees together in the desert so that people will see, Know, Consider, And understand that God's hand has done this and the Holy One of Israel has created it. State your case, Says God. Bring out your strong reasons, Says the King of Jacob. Let your idols announce and tell us what will happen. Tell us the former things, What they were, So that we may consider them and know what became of them. Or show us things to come. Tell us the things that are to come after, So that we will know that you are gods. Yes, Do good or do evil so that we may be discouraged and see it together. See, You are nothing and your work is nothing. Whoever chooses you is a disgrace. I have raised up one from the north and he has come from the rising of the sun, One who calls on my name. And he will come on rulers like on mortar and like the potter beats the clay. Who has told of it from the beginning so that we will know? And before, So that we will say, He is right. For certain, There is no one who tells. There is no one who shows. There is no one who hears your words. I am the first to say to Zion, Look at them. And I will send a messenger with good news to Jerusalem. When I look, There is none. Even among them there is no advisor who, When I ask, Can answer even a word. Look, All of their deeds are useless and nothing. Their images are just wind and confusion.