Immerse: Bible Reading Experience - NLT Daily Bible In A Year

Day 297: Immersive Bible Reading Experience — Psalms 73-77

Welcome to Day 297 of the Immerse Bible Reading Experience. In this episode, we explore Psalms 73 to 77. The readings encompass a range of emotions and themes, including the prosperity of the wicked, lamentations, calls for divine justice, and reflections on God's mighty deeds. Psalm 73 addresses the perplexing prosperity of the wicked and a realization of their ultimate fate. Psalm 74 questions God's prolonged absence and pleas for Him to remember His people and His promises amidst the destruction. Psalm 75 speaks of God's appointed time for justice and underscores His sovereignty as the ultimate judge. Psalm 76 portrays God's majesty and power in defeating enemies, while Psalm 77 is a cry for help coupled with a remembrance of God's past miracles and faithfulness. Join us in this spiritual journey as we contemplate these profound Psalms.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:04 Psalm 73: The Struggle with Envy
03:18 Psalm 74: A Plea for Help
06:04 Psalm 75: God's Judgment and Justice
07:34 Psalm 76: God's Power and Majesty
09:06 Psalm 77: Remembering God's Mighty Deeds
11:39 Conclusion and Farewell

Buy Immerse: Poets Now!
Volume 5 
Immerse: Poets is the fifth of six volumes of the Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience. Poets presents the poetical books of the First Testament in two groupings, dividing the books between songbooks (Psalms, Lamentations, Song of Songs) and wisdom writings (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job). These writings all reflect the daily, down-to-earth faith of God’s people as they live out their covenant relationship with him in worship and wise living.

4 Questions to get your conversations started:
1. What stood out to you this week?
2. Was there anything confusing or troubling?
3. Did anything make you think differently about God?
4. How might this change the way we live?

QUICK START GUIDE
3 ways to get the most out of your experience
  1. Use Immerse: Beginnings instead of your regular chapter and verse Bible. This special reader’s edition restores the Bible to its natural simplicity and beauty by removing chapter and verse numbers and other historical additions. Letters look like letters, songs look like songs, and the original literary structures are visible in each book.
  2. Commit to making this a community experience. Immerse is designed for groups to encounter large portions of the Bible together
    for 8 weeks–more like a book club, less like a Bible study. By meeting every week in small groups and discussing what you read in open,
    honest conversations, you and your community can come together to be transformed through an authentic experience with the Scriptures.
  3. Aim to understand the big story. Read through “The Stories and the Story” (p. 483) to see how the books of the Bible work together to tell God’s story of his creation’s restoration. As you read through Immerse: Beginnings, rather than ask, “How do I fit God into my busy life?” begin asking, “How can I join in God’s great plan by living out my part in his story?”
And for more great Bible podcasts for Christians and small groups, check out https://lumivoz.com or search for Lumivoz in your podcast app of choice.

What is Immerse: Bible Reading Experience - NLT Daily Bible In A Year?

Take a breath, find your place, and read deeply. Discover the joy of reading God’s word with the Immerse New Living Translation (NLT) Bible.

This daily Bible podcast will take you through the Bible in a year following the Immerse Bible Reading Experience. So grab your family and small group and go through the Bible in a year together with Immerse. Each of the 6 volumes is available online or at your favorite Christian bookstore.

Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The
Daily Bible Reading Experience.

Day two hundred and ninety seven.

The Psalms book three Psalms 73 to 89,

Psalms 73, a Psalm of asap.

Truly God is good to Israel to
those whose hearts are pure.

But as for me, I almost lost my footing.

My feet were slipping and I was
almost gone for, I envied the

proud when I saw them prosper.

Despite their wickedness, they
seem to live such painless lives.

Their bodies are so healthy and strong.

They don't have troubles
like other people.

They're not plagued with
problems like everyone else.

They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
and clothed themselves with cruelty.

These fat cats have everything
their hearts could ever wish for.

They scoff and speak
only evil in their pride.

They seek to crush others.

They boast against the very heavens and
their words strut throughout the earth.

And so the people are dismayed and
confused, drinking in all their words.

What does God know?

They ask?

Does the most high even
know what's happening?

Look at these wicked people enjoying a
life of ease while their riches multiply.

Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?

Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?

I get nothing but trouble all day long.

Every morning brings me pain.

If I had really spoken this
way to others, I would have

been a traitor to your people.

So I tried to understand why the wicked
prosper, but what a difficult task it is.

Then I went into your sanctuary,
oh God, and I finally understood

the destiny of the wicked.

Truly, you put them on a slippery
path and send them sliding over the

cliff to destruction in an instant.

They are destroyed, completely
swept away by terrors.

When you arise, oh Lord, you
will laugh at their silly ideas.

As a person laughs at dreams in the
morning, then I realized that my heart

was bitter and I was all torn up inside.

I was so foolish and ignorant.

I must have seemed like a
senseless animal to you.

Yet I still belong to you.

You hold my right hand, you
guide me with your counsel,

leading me to a glorious destiny.

Whom have I in heaven?

But you, I desire you more
than anything on earth.

My health may fail and my spirit
may grow weak, but God remains

the strength of my heart.

He is mine forever.

Those who desert him will perish for you.

Destroy those who abandon you.

But as for me, how good it is
to be near God, I have made

the sovereign Lord my shelter.

I will tell everyone about
the wonderful things you do.

Psalm 74, a Psalm of asap.

Oh God, why have you rejected us so long?

Why is your anger so intense against
the sheep of your own pasture?

Remember that we are the
people you chose long ago.

The tribe you redeemed as
your own special possession.

And remember, Jerusalem,
your home here on earth.

Walk through the awful ruins of the city.

See how the enemy has
destroyed your sanctuary?

There, your enemies shouted.

Their victorious battle cries there.

They set up their battle standards.

They swung their axes like woodcutters
in a forest with axes and picks.

They smashed the carved paneling.

They burned your sanctuary to the ground.

They defiled the place
that bears your name.

Then they thought, let's destroy
everything, so they burned down all

the places where God was worshiped.

We no longer see your miraculous signs.

All the prophets are gone and no
one can tell us when it will end.

How long?

Oh God.

Will you allow our enemies to insult you?

Will you let them dishonor
your name forever?

Why do you hold back
your strong right hand?

Unleash your powerful
fist and destroy them?

You, oh God, are my king.

From ages past bringing salvation to the
earth, you split the sea by your strength

and smash the heads of the sea monsters.

You crush the heads of leviathan
and let the desert animals eat him.

You caused the springs and streams to gush
forth and you dried up rivers that never

run dry both day and night belong to you.

You made the starlight and the sun.

You set the boundaries of the earth
and you made both summer and winter.

See how these enemies insult you?

Lord, A foolish nation
has dishonored your name.

Don't let these wild beasts
destroy your turtle Doves.

Don't forget your
suffering people forever.

Remember, your covenant promises for the
land is full of darkness and violence.

Don't let the downtrodden
be humiliated again.

Instead, let the poor and
needy praise your name, arise

oh God, and defend your cause.

Remember how these fools
insult you all day long.

Don't overlook what
your enemies have said.

Or their growing uproar.

Psalm 75 for the choir director, a Psalm
of asap, a song to be sung to the tune.

Do not destroy.

We thank you.

Oh God, we give thanks because
you are near people everywhere.

Tell of your wonderful deeds.

God says, at the time I have planned, I
will bring justice against the wicked.

When the earthquakes and its people
live in turmoil, I am the one who

keeps its foundations firm interlude.

I warned the proud.

Stop your boasting.

I told the wicked, don't raise your fists.

Don't raise your fists in defiance at the
heavens, or speak with such arrogance.

For no one on earth, from east or
west, or even from the wilderness,

should raise a defiant fist.

It is God alone who judges.

He decides who will
rise and who will fall.

For the Lord Holds a cup in his hand that
is full of foaming wine mixed with spices.

He pours out the wine in judgment
and all the wicked must drink

it, draining it to the drags.

But as for me, I will always
proclaim what God has done.

I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

For God says, I will break the
strength of the wicked, but I will

increase the power of the godly.

Psalm 76 for the choir director,
a Psalm of asap, a song to be

accompanied by string instruments.

God is honored in Judah.

His name is great in Israel.

Jerusalem is where he lives.

Mount Zion is his home.

There he has broken the fiery
arrows of the enemy, the shields and

swords and weapons of war interlude.

You are glorious and more majestic
than the everlasting mountains.

Our boldest enemies have been plundered.

They lie before us In the sleep of death.

No warrior could lift a hand
against us At the blast of your

breath, oh God, of Jacob, their
horses and chariots lay still.

No wonder you are greatly
feared who can stand before you.

When your anger explodes from
heaven, you sentenced your enemies.

The earth trembled and
stood silent before you.

You stand up to judge those who
do evil, oh God, and to rescue

the oppressed of the earth.

Interlude, human defiance only
enhances your glory for you.

Use it as a weapon.

Make vows to the Lord
your God, and keep them.

Let everyone bring tribute to the
awesome one for He breaks the pride

of princes and the kings of the earth.

Fear him.

Psalm 77 for Judean, the choir
director, a Psalm of asap.

I cry out to God.

Yes, I shout, oh, that
God would listen to me.

When I was in deep trouble, I
searched for the Lord all night long.

I prayed with hands lifted toward
heaven, but my soul was not comforted.

I think of God and I moan overwhelmed
with longing for his help.

Interlude you.

Don't let me sleep.

I am too distressed even to pray.

I think of the good old days
long since ended when my nights

were filled with joyful songs.

I search my soul and
ponder the difference.

Now, has the Lord rejected me forever?

Will he never again be kind to me?

Is his unfailing love gone forever?

Have his promises permanently failed?

Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he slammed the door on his compassion
interlude and I said, this is my fate.

The most high has turned
his hand against me.

But then I recall all you have
done, oh Lord, I remember your

wonderful deeds of long ago.

They're constantly in my thoughts.

I cannot stop thinking
about your mighty works.

Oh God, your ways are holy.

Is there any God as mighty as you?

You are the God of great wonders.

You demonstrate your awesome power
among the nations by your strong arm.

You redeemed your people.

The descendants of Jacob
and Joseph Interlude.

When the Red Sea saw you, oh God,
it's waters looked and trembled

the sea quaked to its very depths.

The clouds poured down rain.

The thunder rumbled in the sky.

Your arrows of lightning flashed.

Your thunder roared from the whirlwind.

The lightning lit up the world.

The earth trembled and shook
your road led through the sea.

Your pathway through the mighty waters
a pathway no one knew was there.

You led your people along that
road like a flock of sheep with

Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.

This concludes today's
Immer Reading experience.

Thank you for joining us.