Mark 4:26-34; Psalm 65

Mark 4:26-34

26 He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground,²⁷and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. ²⁸The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. ²⁹But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’

30 He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? ³¹It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; ³²yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’

33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; ³⁴he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. 

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Psalm 65

1  Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; 
   to you that answer prayer shall vows be paid.
2  To you shall all flesh come to confess their sins; 
   when our misdeeds prevail against us,
      you will purge them away.
3  Happy are they whom you choose
      and draw to your courts to dwell there. 
   We shall be satisfied with the blessings of your house,
      even of your holy temple.
4  With wonders you will answer us in your righteousness,
      O God of our salvation, 
   O hope of all the ends of the earth
      and of the farthest seas.
5  In your strength you set fast the mountains 
   and are girded about with might.
6  You still the raging of the seas, 
   the roaring of their waves
      and the clamour of the peoples.
7  Those who dwell at the ends of the earth
      tremble at your marvels; 
   the gates of the morning and evening sing your praise.
8  You visit the earth and water it; 
   you make it very plenteous.
9  The river of God is full of water; 
   you prepare grain for your people,
      for so you provide for the earth.
10  You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges; 
   you soften the ground with showers and bless its increase.
11  You crown the year with your goodness, 
   and your paths overflow with plenty.
12  May the pastures of the wilderness flow with goodness 
   and the hills be girded with joy.
13  May the meadows be clothed with flocks of sheep 
   and the valleys stand so thick with corn
      that they shall laugh and sing.