Shining a light on the weekly Bible Lessons published in the Christian Science Quarterly®
Probation After Death
It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. . . . Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
Attributed to David, Psalm 18 is a fifty-verse victory song to God. Its celebration of deliverance from King Saul is viewed as a larger guarantee of salvation for the entire Israelite community—and by extension, for all needing divine aid in the face of adversity. (Verses 32 and 36 occur, with slight variations, in II Samuel 22:33, 37.)
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
Resources cited in this issue
RR: Waltke, Bruce K., James Macintosh Houston, and Erika Moore, The Psalms as Christian Lament: A Historical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2014; Arnold, Clinton E. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002.
Cit. 15: Keck, Leander E., et al., eds. The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 8, Luke, John. Nashville: Abingdon, 2015.
Copyright
Scriptural quotations marked Good News Translation are taken from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version—Second Edition, copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scriptural quotations marked New Living Translation are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scriptural quotations marked International Children’s Bible® are taken from the International Children’s Bible®. Copyright © 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scriptural quotations marked Common English Bible are taken from the Common English Bible, copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible.
Scriptural quotations marked New International Reader’s Version™ are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version™, NIrV™. Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scriptural quotations marked Contemporary English Version are taken from the Contemporary English Version, copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scriptural quotations marked J.B. Phillips New Testament are from The New Testament in Modern English by J.B. Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J.B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by permission.
© 2025 The Christian Science Publishing Society. The design of the Cross and Crown is a trademark owned by the Christian Science Board of Directors and is used by permission. Bible Lens and Christian Science Quarterly are trademarks owned by The Christian Science Publishing Society. Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptural quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
