Psalms 113-114 Dear RTB’ers, He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people. (vv. 113:7-8) So often (but not every time) when I read Scripture’s mention of the poor and the needy I think of my own …
Author Archives: Fred
September 2026 Readings
Date Readings Verses 01-Sep Psalms 113-114 17 02-Sep Psalm 115 18 03-Sep Psalm 116 19 04-Sep Psalms 117-118 31 05-Sep Psalm 119:1-24 24 06-Sep Psalm 119:25-48 24 07-Sep Psalm 119:49-80 32 08-Sep Psalm 119:81-104 24 09-Sep Psalm 119:105-128 24 10-Sep Psalm 119:129-152 24 11-Sep Psalm 119:153-176 24 12-Sep Psalms 120-121 15 13-Sep Psalms 122-123 13 …
August 31 / Psalms 111-112
Psalms 111-112 Dear RTB’ers, Two psalms today, one extolling the greatness of God and the other lauding His people (those who actively follow Him). So, one or two verses from each… The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with …
August 30 / Psalm 110
Psalm 110 Dear RTB’ers, For probably the first time in my life I have read Psalm 110 from the beginning with a reasonable degree of understanding. That understanding begins with the recognition that it is King David speaking. So in the first verse, “The LORD” is God, the Father and “my Lord” is Jesus. Then …
August 29 / Psalm 109
Psalm 109 Dear RTB’ers, Today’s Psalm took me by surprise. The header calls it “A Psalm of David”. So my first expectation is a psalm of praise. Then verses 2-5 sound like the beginnings of a lament. But instead, as we read on, what we get is David’s appeal for retribution upon an enemy, fifteen …
August 28 / Psalm 108
Psalm 108 Dear RTB’ers, I can’t read today’s first five verses without singing them. They are two different songs, in verses 1-2 (“Melody”) and then in verses 3-5 (“Be Exalted”). What joy to read and sing! Gilead is Mine; Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim is My helmet, Judah My scepter. Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom …
August 27 / Psalm 107:33-43
Psalm 107:33-43 Dear RTB’ers, A few verses today brought back a memory: When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, He pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but He raises up the needy out of affliction… (vv. 39-41a). There was a time in my academic life …
August 26 / Psalm 107:1-32
Psalm 107:1-32 Dear RTB’ers, Now we leave Chronicles for almost a full month and go back to the Psalms. It’s a very different feeling to go from a writer reciting Israel’s history to an author extolling God’s greatness and goodness. And we see both of those today – His greatness over all creation (see Ps. …
August 25 / I Chronicles 29
I Chronicles 29 Dear RTB’ers, Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. (v. 9a) I was chatting with our treasurer, Ellen Backs, on Sunday and she was recounting how generous our congregation is and has been the past few years. She …
August 24 / I Chronicles 28
I Chronicles 28 Dear RTB’ers, King David speaking, …for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought… (v. 9b) I find this verse to be both encouraging and “scary”. I am happy to know that the Lord searches me and knows my thoughts because I want to know that His Holy Spirit …