Read the Bible with Me!

Welcome to the Pauline Family's "Year of the Bible"! I'm reading the Bible clear through this year, and I invite you to read along with me. But first, let us pray: 

My God, I adore and thank your loving and wise Providence, manifested on every page of Sacred Scripture. You have always been close to sinful and erring humanity, and have indicated the way and given hope. Amid the shadows of error and corruption, you kindled the light of your truth; amid universal corruption, you are the Just One; amid so much idolatry, humanity in every corner of the earth has cultivated a sincere worship of you.
Let my reading today increase my trust in your goodness, your mercy, and your unfailing faithfulness.

Today's chapters are 2 Kings 6-8 and (for Lent) Psalm 55.

The Elisha cycle continues with a number of tales of the man of God and his dealings with kings and rogues and roguish kings. Everything unfolds under God's providence. Faith in that providence is reflected in Psalm 55: the Psalmist knows that despite treachery, even betrayal by an intimate friend (a hint of the Passion of Christ), God rules over all and will not allow the righteous to be utterly overcome. 

Start reading 2 Kings here and Psalm 55 here.

If you are looking for a solid but approachable companion to the Bible, I can wholeheartedly recommend A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament by John Bergsma and Brant Pitre. Although the authors are top-level Scripture scholars, they write for "real" readers. Notes include recent findings from archaeology and ancient manuscripts, and how each book of the Bible has been understood by the Church Fathers and used in Liturgy.