John Bunyan

Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. By the witness of your servant John Bunyan give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,

    O Lord of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord;

   my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest for herself,

    where she may lay her young, at your altars,

   O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,

    ever singing your praise! Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

6 As they go through the Valley of Baca

    they make it a place of springs;

    the early rain also covers it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength;

    each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;

    give ear, O God of Jacob!

                         

Psalm 84 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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1 Kings 5:1-6:1,6:7 – Acts 28:1-16 – Mark 14:27-42

The Beheading of John the Baptist

O God, who willed that Saint John the Baptist should go ahead of your Son both in his birth and in his death, grant that, as he died a Martyr for truth and justice, we, too, may fight hard for the confession of what you teach. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;

    you are he who took me from my mother's womb.

    My praise is continually of you.

7 I have been as a portent to many,

    but you are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth is filled with your praise,

    and with your glory all the day.

9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;

    forsake me not when my strength is spent.

10 For my enemies speak concerning me;

    those who watch for my life consult together

11 and say, “God has forsaken him;

    pursue and seize him,

    for there is none to deliver him.”

                         

Psalm 71 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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1 Kings 3:16-28 – Acts 27:27-44 – Mark 14:12-26

Augustine of Hippo

Lord God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you: Help us, following the example of your servant Augustine of Hippo, so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen

1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;

2 the Lord loves the gates of Zion

    more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.

3 Glorious things of you are spoken,

    O city of God. Selah

4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;

    behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—

    “This one was born there,” they say.

5 And of Zion it shall be said,

    “This one and that one were born in her”;

    for the Most High himself will establish her.

6 The Lord records as he registers the peoples,

    “This one was born there.” Selah

7 Singers and dancers alike say,

    “All my springs are in you.”

                         

Psalm 87 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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1 Kings 3:1-15  – Acts 27:9-26 – Mark 14:1-11

O God, you show the light of your truth to those who stray, that they may return to the right path. Grant that all who profess the Christian faith may reject whatever is contrary to the gospel and follow the way that leads to you. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone;

    for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.

2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;

    with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,

    the tongue that makes great boasts,

4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,

    our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,

    I will now arise,” says the Lord;

    “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

6 The words of the Lord are pure words,

    like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,

    purified seven times.

                         

Psalm 12 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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1 Kings 1:38-2:4  – Acts 26:24-27:8 – Mark 13:28-37

Almighty God, fix our hearts on what is right and true, that we may please you always

by observing your will in both word and deed. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;

    from him comes my salvation.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,

    my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 How long will all of you attack a man

    to batter him,

    like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.

    They take pleasure in falsehood.

They bless with their mouths,

    but inwardly they curse. Selah

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,

    for my hope is from him.

6 He only is my rock and my salvation,

    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;

    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

                         

Psalm 62 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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1 Kings 1:5-31  – Acts 26:1-23 – Mark 13:14-27

Your prayers for safety are requested for the firefighters fighting the fires in the area of Yosemite National Park

Merciful God, you willed that by the grace of adoption we should become children of light; grant that we not be cloaked in the darkness of error but rather stand forth in the splendor of truth. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 O Lord, God of my salvation;

    I cry out day and night before you.

2 Let my prayer come before you;

    incline your ear to my cry!

3 For my soul is full of troubles,

    and my life draws near to Sheol.

4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit;

    I am as one who has no strength,

5 like one set loose among the dead,

    like the slain that lie in the grave,

    like those whom you remember no more,

    for they are cut off from your hand.

6 You have put me in the depths of the pit,

    in the regions dark and deep.

7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me,

    and you overwhelm me with all your waves.

                         

Psalm 88 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 19:24-43  – Acts 24:24-25:12 – Mark 12:35-44

Lord our God, you are the one God and there is no other. Give us grace to hear and heed the great commandment of your kingdom, that we may love you with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 I will sing of steadfast love and justice;

    to you, O Lord, I will make music.

2 I will ponder the way that is blameless.

  Oh when will you come to me?

   I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;

3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.

   I hate the work of those who fall away;

    it shall not cling to me.

4 A perverse heart shall be far from me;

    I will know nothing of evil.

5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly  I will destroy.

   Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart

    I will not endure.

6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,

    that they may dwell with me;

    he who walks in the way that is blameless

    shall minister to me.

                         

Psalm 101 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 19:1-23  – Acts 24:1-23 – Mark 12:28-34

Heavenly Father, you have called your Church to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Give us vigorous faith and a love that is genuine, so that all may see our works and give you the glory. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 Praise the Lord!

   For it is good to sing praises to our God;

    for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

    he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted

    and binds up their wounds.

4 He determines the number of the stars;

    he gives to all of them their names.

5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

    his understanding is beyond measure.

6 The Lord lifts up the humble;

    he casts the wicked to the ground.

                         

Psalm 147 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 18:19-23  – Acts 23:23-35 – Mark 12:13-27

Bernard of Clairvaux

O God, by whose grace your servant Bernard of Clairvaux, kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and a shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

    you discern my thoughts from afar.

3 You search out my path and my lying down

    and are acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before a word is on my tongue,

    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

5 You hem me in, behind and before,

    and lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

    it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?

    Or where shall I flee from your presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

                         

Psalm 139 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 18:9-18  – Acts 23:12-24 – Mark 11:27-12:12

Gracious Lord and God, grant that we may always take delight in your service, for only through our faithfulness to you, the author of every good, will full and lasting happiness be ours. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

    for in you my soul takes refuge;

   in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

    till the storms of destruction pass by.

2 I cry out to God Most High,

    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

3 He will send from heaven and save me;

    he will put to shame him who tramples on me.

   God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

4 My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts—

   the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,

    whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

    Let your glory be over all the earth!

7 My heart is steadfast, O God,

    my heart is steadfast!

   I will sing and make melody!

                         

Psalm 57 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 17:24-18:8 – Acts 22:30-23:11 – Mark 11:12-26

Stephen of Hungary

Almighty Father, heavenly king, your servant. Stephen of Hungary, fostered the growth of your Church on earth: Grant that we, following his example, may by our prayer and labors support the growth of your church in our time and land; through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;

    I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

2 I will be glad and exult in you;

    I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back,

    they stumble and perish before your presence.

4 For you have maintained my just cause;

    you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

7 …the Lord sits enthroned forever;

    he has established his throne for justice,

8 and he judges the world with righteousness;

    he judges the peoples with uprightness.

9 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,

    a stronghold in times of trouble.

10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,

    for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

                         

Psalm 9 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 15:19-37 – Acts 21:37-22:16 – Mark 10:46-52

Mary, Mother of Our Lord

O God, who have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;

    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

    let the humble hear and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me,

    and let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me,

    and delivered me from all my fears.

5 Look to him, and be radiant;

    so your[a] faces shall never be ashamed.

6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,

    and was saved from every trouble.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps

    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good;

    happy are those who take refuge in him.

9 O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,

    for those who fear him have no want.

                         

Psalm 34 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 61:10-11 – Galatians 4:4-7 – Luke 1:46-55

Maximilian Kolbe

Most loving Father, whose Son Jesus Christ came to give his Life as a ransom for many: Give us the grace, as you did to your servant Maximilian Kolbe, to be always ready to come to the aid of those in need or distress, not counting the cost; that so we may follow in the footsteps of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

10 I believed, even when I spoke:

    “I am greatly afflicted”;

11 I said in my alarm,

     “All mankind are liars.”

12 What shall I render to the Lord

    for all his benefits to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation

    and call on the name of the Lord,

14 I will pay my vows to the Lord

    in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord

    is the death of his saints.

16 O Lord, I am your servant;

    I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.

    You have loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving

    and call on the name of the Lord.

                         

Psalm 116 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 14:21-33 – Acts 21:15-26 - Mark 10:17-31

Florence Nightingale

Life-giving God, who alone have power over life and death, over health and sickness: Give power, wisdom, and gentleness to those who follow the lead of your servant Florence Nightingale, that they, bearing with them your presence, may not only heal but bless, and shine as lanterns of hope in the darkest hours of pain and fear; through Jesus Christ, the healer of body and soul, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;

    you hold my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,

    and afterward you will receive me to glory.

25  Whom have I in heaven but you?

    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

26  My flesh and my heart may fail,

    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;

    you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

28 But for me it is good to be near God;

    I have made the Lord God my refuge,

    that I may tell of all your works.

                         

Psalm 73 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 14:1-20 – Acts 21:1-14 - Mark 10:1-16

O God, our very breath, our only hope, in every age you take pity on us and bring forth life from death. Visit your people and raise your Church to new life, that we may join with all generations in voicing our wonder and praise. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 I will extol you, my God and King,

    and bless your name forever and ever.

2 Every day I will bless you

    and praise your name forever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,

    and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall commend your works to another,

    and shall declare your mighty acts.

5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,

    and I will declare your greatness.

7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness

    and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

                         

Psalm 145 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 13:23-39 – Acts 20:17-38 - Mark 9:42-50

Almighty and eternal God, direct all our actions to accord with your holy will, that our lives may be rich in good works done in the name of your beloved Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 Have mercy on me, O God,

    according to your steadfast love;

    according to your abundant mercy

    blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

    and cleanse me from my sin!

3 For I know my transgressions,

    and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned

    and done what is evil in your sight,

    so that you may be justified in your words

    and blameless in your judgment.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

    and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,

    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

                         

Psalm 96 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 12:1-14 – Acts 19:21-41 - Mark 9:14-29

Dominic; Preacher, Friar, Missionary

O God of the prophets, who opened the eyes of your servant Dominic to perceive a famine of hearing the word of the Lord, and moved him, and those he drew about him, to satisfy that hunger with sound preaching and fervent devotion: Make your Church, dear Lord, in this and every age, attentive to the hungers of the world, and quick to respond in love to those who are perishing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

(Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song;

    sing to the Lord, all the earth!

2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;

     tell of his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations,

    his marvelous works among all the peoples!

4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

    he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

    but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Splendor and majesty are before him;

     strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

     ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

                         

Psalm 96 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 11:1-27 – Acts 19:11-20 - Mark 9:2-13

O God, you open wide your hand, giving us food in due season. Out of your never-failing abundance, satisfy the hungers of body and soul and lead all peoples of the earth to the feast of the world to come. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul!

    O Lord my God, you are very great!

   You are clothed with splendor and majesty,

2  covering yourself with light as with a garment,

    stretching out the heavens like a tent.

3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;

   he makes the clouds his chariot;

    he rides on the wings of the wind;

4 he makes his messengers winds,

    his ministers a flaming fire.

5 He set the earth on its foundations,

    so that it should never be moved.

6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment;

    the waters stood above the mountains.

7 At your rebuke they fled;

    at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.

                         

Psalm 104 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 9:1-13 – Acts 19:1-10 - Mark 8:34-9:1

Compassionate God, from far and near you gather your Church into one. Safeguard the unity of your flock through the teaching of Christ the Shepherd, that all your scattered children may find in him the guidance and nourishment they seek. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 Praise the Lord!

   Praise the Lord, O my soul!

2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;

    I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3 Put not your trust in princes,

    in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;

    on that very day his plans perish.

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

    whose hope is in the Lord his God,

6 who made heaven and earth,

    the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;

7  who executes justice for the oppressed,

    who gives food to the hungry.

                         

Psalm 146 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 7:18-29 – Acts 18:12-28 - Mark 8:11-21

Attend with kindness, Lord God, to the cries of your people,  that we may see the things that ought to be done and grow in the strength to do them. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen

1 O God, do not keep silence;

    do not hold your peace or be still, O God!

2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar;

    those who hate you have raised their heads.

3 They lay crafty plans against your people;

    they consult together against your treasured ones.

4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;

    let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”

5 For they conspire with one accord;

    against you they make a covenant—

17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;

    let them perish in disgrace,

18 that they may know that you alone,

    whose name is the Lord,

    are the Most High over all the earth.

                         

Psalm 83 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 7:1-17 – Acts 18:1-11 - Mark 8:11-21

God of heaven and earth, your almighty power is shown above all in your willingness to forgive and show mercy; let your grace descend upon us without ceasing, that we may strive for the things you have promised and come to share the treasures of heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,

    both rider and horse lay stunned.

7 But you, you are to be feared!

    Who can stand before you

    when once your anger is roused?

8 From the heavens you uttered judgment;

    the earth feared and was still,

9 when God arose to establish judgment,

    to save all the humble of the earth. Selah

10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you;

    the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.

11 Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them;

    let all around him bring gifts

    to him who is to be feared,

12 who cuts off the spirit of princes,

    who is to be feared by the kings of the earth.

                         

Psalm 76 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 5:1-12 – Acts 17:1-15  - Mark 7:24-37

Joseph of Arimathaea

Merciful God, whose servant Joseph of Arimathaea with reverence and godly fear prepared the body of our Lord and Savior for burial, and laid it in his own tomb: Grant to us, your faithful people, grace and courage to love and serve Jesus with sincere devotion all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

    you hold my lot.

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

    in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the Lord always before me;

    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

    my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

    or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life;

    in your presence there is fullness of joy;

    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

                         

Psalm 16 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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2 Samuel 4:1-12 – Acts 16:25-40  - Mark 7:1-23