Some suggestions for Bible readings
THE OLD TESTAMENT
Psalms
Psalm 6 O Lord, rebuke me not in your wrath
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd
Psalm 25 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul
Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation
Psalm 32 Happy the one whose transgression is forgiven
Psalm 38.9-end O Lord, you know all my desires
Psalm 42 As the deer longs for the water brooks
Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength
Psalm 90 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
Psalm 116 I love the Lord
Psalm 118.4-end Let those who fear the Lord proclaim
Psalm 121 I lift up my eyes to the hills
Psalm 130 Out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord
Psalm 139.1-18 (19-end) O Lord, you have searched me out and known me
Other readings
Genesis 42.29-end The sorrow you would cause me
2 Samuel 1.17, 23end David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan
2 Samuel 12.16-23 David’s son dies
Job 19.23-27 I know that my Redeemer lives
Isaiah 25.6a, 7-9 The Lord will wipe tears from all faces
Isaiah 46.3-4 Even to your old age I am he
Isaiah 53.1-10 The suffering servant
Isaiah 61.1-3 To comfort all who mourn
Lamentations 3.22-26, 31-33 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
Daniel 12.1-3 (5-9) All whose names shall be written in the book
THE APOCRYPHA
Wisdom 3.1-9 5.15-16 The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God
Wisdom 4.8-15 God watches over his holy ones
Ecclesiasticus 38.16-23 Let your tears fall for the dead
THE NEW TESTAMENT
Gospel readings
Matthew 11.25-30 Come to me all who labour
Matthew 26.31-end The final judgement
Mark 5.21-24, 35-42a Jairus’ daughter
Mark 10.13-16 Let the little chldren come to me
Mark 15.33-39; 16.1-6 He is risen, he is not hear
Luke 12.35-40 The coming of the Son of Man
Luke 24.1-9 (10-11) The Resurrection
John 5.(19-20) 21-20 Whoever hears my word and believes
John 6.35-40 (53-58) All that the Father gives me will come to me
John 11.17-27 I am the resurrection and the life
John 14.1-6 (7-9) In my Father’s house are many rooms
John 19.25-30 This is your son, this is your mother
John 19.38-end The burial of Christ
John 20.1-11 The Resurrection of Christ
Other readings
Romans 6.3-8 (9-11) If we have been united with Christ
Romans 8.18-25 (26-30) The future glory
Romans 8.31b-35, 37-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God
Romans 14.7-12 Christ the Lord of the living and the dead
1 Corinthians 15.20-end The spiritual body
2 Corinthians 4.7-15 We carry in our mortal bodies the death of Jesus
2 Corinthians 4.13-18 He who raised Jesus from the dead will raise us
2 Corinthians 4.16-5.10 The heavenly body
Ephesians 3.14-19 (20-21) The power to understand Christ’s love
Philippians 3.10-end God’s purposes for us
1 Thessalonians 4.13-end So shall we be always with the Lord
2 Timothy 2.8-13 If we have died with him, we shall also live
1 Peter 1.3-9 A new birth into a living hope
1 John 3.1-3 We shall be like him
Revelation 7.9-17 The song of the martyrs
Revelation 21.1-7 Behold I make all things new
Revelation 21.22-end; 22.3b-5 The Lord God will be their light
Other readings may be more suitable for a particular occasion, for instance, at the Funeral of a child:
Psalm 84.1-4 How lovely is your dwelling-place,
Song of Solomon 2.10-13 My beloved speaks and says to me
Isaiah 49.15-16 Can a woman forget her nursing child
Jeremiah 1.4-8 Before I formed you in the womb I new you
Jeremiah 31.15-17 Rachel weeping for her children
Matthew 18.1-5, 10 Unless you change and become like little children
John 10.27-28 My sheep hear my voice
1 Corinthians 13.1-end Faith, hope and love