Bible lessons

2 Maccabees 12:39–45

Judas Prays for Fallen Soldiers

After a battle, Judas and his companions found a hidden sin among the fallen and prayed for them with hope in the resurrection.

Catholic additional books

2 Maccabees 13:1–26

Judas Faces Antiochus Eupator

When Antiochus Eupator came against Judea with a vast army, Judas led the people in prayer, a bold night attack, and a hard campaign that ended in a treaty.

Catholic additional books

Job 42:7–17

Job's Closing Restoration

After speaking to Job, God rebuked Job’s friends, accepted Job’s prayer for them, and blessed Job’s later years.

Psalms 3:1–8

Psalm 3: Deliver Me, O LORD!

Psalm 3 is a prayer-song that begins with many enemies and ends with confidence in Yahweh. The speaker reports what others say, then answers those words with prayer, trust, and a clear confession about salvation.

Psalms 4:1–8

Psalm 4: Answer Me When I Call!

Psalm 4 is a prayer that moves from urgent calling to quiet peace. It shows distress, correction, trust, and rest, while keeping the language of poetry and prayer rather than turning it into a story.

Psalms 5:1–12

Psalm 5: Give Ear to My Words

Psalm 5 is a prayer-song that moves from asking Yahweh to hear, to asking for guidance, and then to confidence that he blesses those who take refuge in him.

Psalms 6:1–10

Psalm 6: Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger

Psalm 6 is a prayer-song that begins with pain and ends with confidence. The speaker asks Yahweh for mercy, describes deep anguish and tears, then says Yahweh has heard the prayer.

Psalms 7:1–17

Psalm 7: I Take Refuge in You

Psalm 7 is a prayer of refuge, justice and praise. The singer asks Yahweh for rescue, speaks about innocence in the matter, and ends by thanking Yahweh for his righteousness.

Psalms 9:1–20

Psalm 9: I Will Give Thanks to the LORD

Psalm 9 is a song of thanks that moves into prayer. It praises Yahweh for justice, calls others to sing, and asks for mercy while holding on to hope for afflicted and needy people.

Psalms 10:1–18

Psalm 10: The Perils of the Pilgrim

Psalm 10 is a prayer-poem that begins with a hard question about God seeming distant in trouble, then describes the wicked person’s pride and violence before turning to a direct appeal for God to act and defend the helpless.

Psalms 12:1–8

Psalm 12: The Godly Are No More

Psalm 12 is a prayer for help when faithful people seem hard to find and dishonest speech is everywhere. The poem moves from human lies and proud words to Yahweh’s speech and confidence in his care.

Psalms 13:1–6

Psalm 13: How Long, O LORD?

Psalm 13 is a short prayer-song that moves from repeated questions to trust and singing. It shows that a person can speak honestly to Yahweh about pain, fear and pressure, while still turning to him in faith.

Psalms 17:1–15

Psalm 17: Hear My Righteous Plea

Psalm 17 is a prayer-poem asking Yahweh to hear, judge fairly, and protect. The speaker appeals to God on the basis of honest speech, careful conduct, and confidence that God sees both danger and righteousness.

Psalms 18:1–50

Psalm 18: The LORD Is My Rock

Psalm 18 is a song of love, danger, rescue and praise to Yahweh. The speaker calls God his refuge, describes deep distress in vivid poetry, and ends by thanking Yahweh for deliverance and royal help.

Psalms 19:1–14

Psalm 19: The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

Psalm 19 is a poem that moves from the sky above us to God’s words, then to a personal prayer. It shows that creation speaks about God, and that God’s instruction reaches deeply into a person’s life.

Psalms 20:1–9

Psalm 20: The Day of Trouble

Psalm 20 is a prayer-song for a day of trouble. It asks Yahweh to help, support and save, and it contrasts trust in military strength with trust in the name of Yahweh.

Psalms 21:1–13

Psalm 21: After the Battle

Psalm 21 is a song of joy and praise. It celebrates the king’s rejoicing in Yahweh’s strength, thanks Yahweh for answered prayer and blessing, and ends by exalting Yahweh’s power over enemies.

Psalms 22:1–31

Psalm 22: The Psalm of the Cross

Psalm 22 is a song that begins with deep anguish and urgent prayer, then moves toward praise and confidence. It helps readers notice how the speaker brings pain, memory, trust and public worship before God.

Psalms 25:1–22

Psalm 25: To You I Lift Up My Soul

Psalm 25 is a prayer-song of trust, learning and mercy. The speaker turns to Yahweh, asks for guidance and forgiveness, and keeps praying through trouble until the song widens into a prayer for Israel.

Psalms 26:1–12

Psalm 26: Vindicate Me, O LORD

Psalm 26 is a poetic prayer to Yahweh. The speaker asks to be judged and examined, speaks of walking in integrity, and contrasts worship, thanksgiving, and love for Yahweh’s house with the ways of the wicked.

Psalms 27:1–14

Psalm 27: The LORD Is My Salvation

Psalm 27 is a song that moves from bold confidence to honest prayer. The singer speaks about fear, worship, enemies, guidance and waiting, while keeping Yahweh at the centre from beginning to end.

Psalms 28:1–9

Psalm 28: The LORD Is My Strength

Psalm 28 is a prayer-song that moves from urgent calling to thankful praise. The singer asks Yahweh to hear, to judge the wicked rightly, and to care for his people.

Psalms 30:1–12

Psalm 30: You Turned My Mourning into Dancing

Psalm 30 is a thankful song to Yahweh. The speaker remembers danger, prayer, mercy, and rescue. The poem moves from trouble to praise and invites others to thank Yahweh too.

Psalms 31:1–24

Psalm 31: Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit

Psalm 31 is a prayer-song that moves from urgent rescue, to deep distress, to praise and courage. The speaker trusts Yahweh honestly while describing grief, danger and public shame.