Daily Reading for Wednesday, February 4th, 2026

Reading 1, Samuel 24:2, 9-17

² Once Saul was back from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, 'David is now in the desert of En-Gedi.'

⁹ Saul then left the cave and went on his way. After this, David too left the cave and called after Saul, 'My lord king!' Saul looked behind him and David, bowing to the ground, prostrated himself.

¹⁰ David then said to Saul, 'Why do you listen to people who say, "David intends your ruin"?

¹¹ This very day you have seen for yourself how Yahweh put you in my power in the cave and how, refusing to kill you, I spared you saying, "I will not raise my hand against my lord, since he is Yahweh's anointed."

¹² Look, father, look at the border of your cloak in my hand. Since, although I cut the border off your cloak, I did not kill you, surely you realise that I intend neither mischief nor crime. I have not wronged you, and yet you hunt me down to take my life.

¹³ May Yahweh be judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me on you; but I shall never lay a hand on you!

¹⁴ (As the old proverb says: Wickedness comes out of wicked people, but I shall never lay a hand on you!)

¹⁵ On whose trail is the king of Israel campaigning? Whom are you pursuing? On the trail of a dead dog, of a flea!

¹⁶ May Yahweh be the judge and decide between me and you; may he examine and defend my cause and give judgement for me by rescuing me from your clutches!'

¹⁷ When David had finished saying this to Saul, Saul said, 'Is that your voice, my son David?' And Saul began to weep aloud.

Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7

¹ [Of David Poem] How blessed are those whose offence is forgiven, whose sin blotted out.

² How blessed are those to whom Yahweh imputes no guilt, whose spirit harbours no deceit.

⁵ I made my sin known to you, did not conceal my guilt. I said, 'I shall confess my offence to Yahweh.' And you, for your part, took away my guilt, forgave my sin.

⁶ That is why each of your faithful ones prays to you in time of distress. Even if great floods overflow, they will never reach your faithful.

⁷ You are a refuge for me, you guard me in trouble, with songs of deliverance you surround me.