Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Alternate first reading and Psalm

4Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down in the shade of a tree and wished he would die. “It's too much, LORD,” he prayed. “Take away my life; I might as well be dead!”

5He lay down under the tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Wake up and eat.” 6He looked round, and saw a loaf of bread and a jar of water near his head. He ate and drank, and lay down again. 7The LORD's angel returned and woke him up a second time, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” 8Elijah got up, ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to walk forty days to Sinai, the holy mountain.

1 Kings 19:4-8GNBOpen in Bible reader

In Praise of God's Goodness

1I will always thank the LORD;

I will never stop praising him.

2I will praise him for what he has done;

may all who are oppressed listen and be glad!

3Proclaim with me the LORD's greatness;

let us praise his name together!

4I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me;

he freed me from all my fears.

5The oppressed look to him and are glad;

they will never be disappointed.

6The helpless call to him, and he answers;

he saves them from all their troubles.

7His angel guards those who honour the LORD

and rescues them from danger.

8Find out for yourself how good the LORD is.

Happy are those who find safety with him.

Psalms 34:1-8GNBOpen in Bible reader
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