Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 111
Praise for the Lord’s Works
1 Hallelujah![a]
I will praise the Lord with all my heart
in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.(A)
2 The Lord’s works are great,
studied by all who delight in them.(B)
3 All that He does is splendid and majestic;(C)
His righteousness endures forever.(D)
4 He has caused His wonderful works to be remembered.(E)
The Lord is gracious and compassionate.(F)
5 He has provided food for those who fear Him;(G)
He remembers His covenant forever.(H)
6 He has shown His people the power of His works
by giving them the inheritance of the nations.(I)
7 The works of His hands are truth and justice;
all His instructions are trustworthy.(J)
8 They are established forever and ever,
enacted in truth and in what is right.(K)
9 He has sent redemption to His people.(L)
He has ordained His covenant forever.
His name is holy and awe-inspiring.(M)
23 “At that time I begged the Lord: 24 Lord God, You have begun to show Your greatness and power to Your servant, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can perform deeds and mighty acts like Yours? 25 Please let me cross over and see the beautiful land(A) on the other side of the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.
26 “But the Lord was angry with me on account of you and would not listen to me. The Lord said to me, ‘That’s enough! Do not speak to Me again about this matter. 27 Go to the top of Pisgah and look to the west, north, south, and east, and see it with your own eyes, for you will not cross this Jordan.(B) 28 But commission Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will cross over ahead of the people and enable them to inherit this land that you will see.’(C) 29 So we stayed in the valley facing Beth-peor.
God’s Gracious Election of Israel
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed.(A) For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.(B) 7 Neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants.[a](C) On the contrary, your offspring will be traced[b] through Isaac.(D)[c] 8 That is, it is not the children by physical descent[d] who are God’s children,(E) but the children of the promise(F) are considered to be the offspring. 9 For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.(G)[e] 10 And not only that,(H) but also Rebekah received a promise when she became pregnant[f](I) by one man, our ancestor Isaac. 11 For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand—(J) 12 not from works but from the One who calls—she was told: The older will serve the younger.(K)[g] 13 As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.(L)[h]
God’s Selection Is Just
14 What should we say then?(M) Is there injustice with God?(N) Absolutely not!(O) 15 For He tells Moses:
I will show mercy
to whom I will show mercy,
and I will have compassion
on whom I will have compassion.(P)[i]
16 So then it does not depend on human will or effort[j](Q) but on God who shows mercy.(R) 17 For the Scripture tells Pharaoh:
I raised you up for this reason
so that I may display My power in you
and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth.(S)[k]
18 So then, He shows mercy to those He wants to, and He hardens those He wants to harden.(T)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.