The Daily Message Hardback: Through the Bible in One Year

by Eugene H. Peterson

Arranged into six readings per week, The Daily Message is the perfect one-year reading Bible that allows for both flexibility and time to let God's Word soak into your heart and mind.

Its simple reading plan will revolutionize your devotional times.

Genres: Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Reference, Devotional, Faith

1600 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Eugene H. Peterson was a pastor, scholar, author, and poet. For many years he was James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He also served as founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland. He had written over thirty books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language a contemporary translation of the Bible. After retiring from full-time teaching, Eugene and his wife Jan lived in the Big Sky Country of rural Montana. He died in October 2018.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by my mother and sister, I resolved to read through the Bible each year. Each year I select a different version of the Bible--NIV, KJV, ESV, chronological, digital. This year I returned to one of my favorites: Eugene Peterson's The Message. It speaks to me so clearly. I praise God for the freedom and accessibility of His Word to me. Any suggestions for next year's version?!!

[Ike · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read one-year Bible plan. It's not meant to be a direct translation, but allows one to follow a well laid out plan and complete a Bible reading in one year. One could take exception to Peterson's arrangement of Old Testament and New Testament placements (didn't really enjoy finishing out the year reading the Book of Revelation and Isaiah), but it's acceptable. It's also not for a serious study of the Bible.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only thing worse than the text of the message is this production of it. It was like Cheese whiz served on stale crackers of irreverence.

Wowy-kazowy as we say.

[Alisa]

I suppose I have probably finished this by now! The reason I got this particular version is because of the two reflection questions after each of the daily readings (alternating OT and NT + poetry). There are two different editions of The Message in a Year, and both have reflection questions, but the more popular version has more superficial questions while this edition has more thoughtful and deeper questions. Since I bought this because of the questions, I wish they were in a little ebook on their own, so it would be easier to use with any version of the bible you are reading.

[Sharon Paavola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the Bible daily makes a significant difference in my life in Christ, my understanding of God and His purposes, and my knowledge of what His word says to me. Each year that I read through the Bible, I grow in my love for others, see my frailties more clearly, and have more desire to do God's will.

This particular book uses the Message text with daily readings from the Old Testament plus a passage from Psalms or Proverbs or a New Testament passage and an old Testament one. It changes through out the year. Each day has two poignant questions to consider after you have completed the reading.

I have used other systems but I prefer this one. I will now take a break and read the New Testament by Phillips.

The publishers of The Daily Message offer to replace or repair your book if it comes apart from use; a valuable promise for those of us who will read it over and over again. This sixth or seventh time through the 2005 hardback edition shows it holding up well.

Some have mentioned that they weren't excited about the passages for the end of the book which are Revelations and Isaiah. For me, I experienced great joy in covering the final, victorious end of evil and God's promise to return the Jews to a new and greater Jerusalem!

I appreciate NavPress for this outstanding compilation of God's word for daily contemplation.

[Brandon H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see why so many people like this Bible translation. It transforms the scriptures into popular, modern English making it easier to grasp and understand. I can also see why so many people hate it. There were times I felt that the author went overboard in translation and ended up making the text way too wordy. I also thought there were a few times where he overreached and mistranslated verses and made the text say things that the original authors didn't intend to say.

Another quibble - I read the paperback edition and struggled to see the words. The print was so incredibly small I almost gave up.

Having said all of that, I found the author's reflective summaries of each book of the Bible at the end of the book very insightful and most helpful. That section alone was worth the price of the book!

I'm glad I read it and will reference it in the future but won't use it as my primary study Bible.

[Musings of a Middle-aged Mum · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Daily Message is a Bible-in-a-Year using The Message version. I have not read much of The Message version before, but I do like it's simplicity to understand. It may not be the most accurate in terms of specific words used from the original language, however this translation means the Gospel is more accessible as it gets the meaning across.

The other thing I particularly liked about this book, was that every 7th day was a rest day for reflection on the previous week - for me, this was a catch-up day, so even if I fell behind slightly, I knew that by the start of the next week I would be all caught up.

If you have considered trying to read through the Bible in a year, but thing the task is too mammoth or the language is too antiquated, then this is the book for you

[Jeff Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never read any of The Message prior to this. This version reads quite well and has a nice flow to it. There were some parts, however, where the translation/interpretation seemed off to me. I think it is a good overview of the bible giving the stories and history well but that some of the details are lacking. I wouldn't use this version for a thorough study but it is good as a daily read.

[Kalena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nonfiction. This is the first time I have read through the Bible in a single year. While I can appreciate the more modern wording found in the Message, I must be old-fashioned. I find new insights from reading different versions though and will continue to read multiple styles. Considering the Passion translation for 2019...

[Charlene Hios · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been a fan of reading the bible by the different sections. I am an advocate of reading it through from Genesis to Revelation. However, Peterson did an excellent job of dividing the daily reading to one that was almost an enhancement to one's comprehension.

[Lis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this translation. It was often like a breath of fresh air as Peterson's words made things clearer and more relatable/understandable. I had many "ah" moments as things I've read many times became clear.

[Linda Ehle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this version

This was my second or third time reading through the Bible. I plan on reading the Daily Walk bible
next year.

[Susan Birrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started reading on Jan 1st! Will put review once finished. Was going to use as suggested and read daily but we will see!

[Catherine Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly helpful - insightful, inspiring, informative

[Elizabeth Bailes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Message

Written in everyday language that even I could understand! What a great book! Thank you Eugene Peterson for this translation!

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple of months ago the pastor said something like "if you are only getting fed here on Sunday mornings you aren't growing" or something that implied we should all be reading our Bibles on our own. It wasn't a main point in the sermon so I think I should be forgiven for not remembering exactly what was said. But Austin remembered and commented later that he should be reading his Bible on a more regular basis. Which reminded me that I had bought this audio version of read through the Bible in a year thinking it would be a good thing to do together, before bed or first thing in the morning while waking up. But it didn't happen and languished in my audible library. Until the pastor prompted Austin to make his comment which somehow translated in my head as I should read the entire Bible now. After all, how long could it possibly take. The answer? FOREVER. Not really, of course. Listening first thing in the morning, on road trips, before bed, I managed in a couple months. But not nearly as quickly as I had thought I would.

PROs
-The paraphrased Message is ideal for big picture, overview stuff which is generally the goal of read through the Bible programs (vs. in-depth study which takes place at a slower pace).
-Kelly Ryan Dolan does a fantastic job on the narration.
-The pace is just right. Every seventh day is left free for contemplation which means you have 52 possible catch-up days available in the year.

CONs
-I miss the wonderful book introductions available in the regular The Message audio.
-It was hard not being able to go to a specific day. Most people do these read throughs with others and it would be helpful to have a better way of keeping track of what day everyone is on. The audible app makes adding bookmarks super easy so it is a relatively painless obstacle to overcome.
-For the most part I liked the way the daily readings were put together and the order the books were read in. But it wasn't quite to my taste. Your mileage may vary.

In summary, this is an enjoyable (or at least relative painless) way to get through the Bible in one year. The paraphrase version and Dolan's narration are easy to listen to and understand. Because it is audio it is easy to add to your normal morning or evening routine - you can listen while brushing your teeth or walking the dog or making breakfast. Getting an overview of the entire Bible brings out themes and insights that can get lost in the details of word studies and verse by verse commentary.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

During the summer of 2018, I decided that I wanted to start listening to the Bible for 30 minutes a day. I initially listened to an ESV translation of the Bible, but after going through it four times, I decided to switch over to the NIV Dramatized Audio Bible during March of 2020. During my time listening to the NIV, I also checked out this audiobook of The Message. In the written form, it is a daily devotional, and I didn't find that this daily format worked well as an audiobook. On top of that, it takes passages from all over the Bible, in no particular order, and presents them as a daily devotional. Because of this, it was hard to keep track of things during an extended listening. All that to say, that while I like the Bible, this wasn't the best listening experience.

Also, this is my first time reading the Message in full, and while I've heard some say they are able to learn more from the modern language used, I can see why many people don't like this poetic paraphrase. For example, compare these two versions of Galatians 5:22-24, and witness how unnecessarily convoluted Eugene Peterson can make things in order to make his version of the Bible more down-to-earth:

Galatians 5:22-24 from the ESV:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:22-24 from the Message:

22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

23-24 Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

[Lauree · Rating 1 out of 5]

I carefully listened to all 78 hours of the audio version of this book - focusing on the old testament since I had just completed the New Testament before this. While I had read the main stories in past years, I was surprised by the overall content. It is full of hardship, suffering, violence, sin, punishment, guilt, sexual perversion, slavery and murder. It is a book formed in a male dominated culture where women had an especially hard life. I encourage everyone to read or listen to the entire Bible for yourself without letting anyone tell you what to think or spoon feed little passages of scripture to you. Form your own educated opinions about it. You'll be enriched and empowered.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this translation, and the amount of reading per day was doable. I appreciated the day of rest and reflection every seven days that helped me catch up when I fell behind.
The one thing that I like less about this is that books like Isaiah that are used as the poetic reading each day are broken up too much and hard to absorb as a book in itself. With the Psalms and Proverbs, it didn't bother me as much.

This is the first full bible I've read through from beginning to end and I'm proud of the accomplishment! Next time I'll read the NRSV straight through in canonical order.

[Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and easy version of the bible that reads like a novel.

[Hemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text is electrifying and uplifting, even having only read a couple of days worth of devotions. I probably will not read the whole book at once, since it's a library book.

[Covenant Presbyterian Springfield Ohio]

Call Number: 220 PET

A gift from Andy BELL.

Available.

[John Kaess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as an audiobook over the past year for my devotions. Excellent.

[Joshua Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent daily reading of the message Bible.

[Lyndie Blevins]

I'm reading this again this year

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best devotional Bible I've ever read. Highest recommendation!

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as my daily devotions in 2014. I did not like there were no verses marked.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a terrible thing to do to the Word of God.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

One, if not THE, best devotional Bible I've ever read. Loved it!

[Jen Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

was always skeptical of the Message but really respect peterson and find this is enriching my appreciation for scripture - shocking me out of boredom or complacency w/ new vocabulary