Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: All Saints Day

First reading and Psalm

The Enormous Crowd

9After this I looked, and there was an enormous crowd — no one could count all the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. 10They called out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb!” 11All the angels stood round the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. Then they threw themselves face downwards in front of the throne and worshipped God, 12saying, “Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power, and might belong to our God for ever and ever! Amen!”

13One of the elders asked me, “Who are these people dressed in white robes, and where do they come from?”

14“I don't know, sir. You do,” I answered.

He said to me, “These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb. 15That is why they stand before God's throne and serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will protect them with his presence. 16Never again will they hunger or thirst; neither sun nor any scorching heat will burn them, 17because the Lamb, who is in the centre of the throne, will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Revelation 7:9-17GNBOpen 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.

9Honour the LORD, all his people;

those who obey him have all they need.

10Even lions go hungry for lack of food,

but those who obey the LORD lack nothing good.

Psalms 34:1-10GNBOpen in Bible reader

22The LORD will save his people;

those who go to him for protection will be spared.

Psalms 34:22GNBOpen in Bible reader
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