Bible Verses for Your Wedding - Part I
An important aspect of planning your wedding is selecting
Scriptures to be read in the ceremony. Many clergy encourage
couples to look through the Bible and choose some appropriate
verses. This provides an excellent way for the bride and groom
to personalize their service by choosing passages that have a
special meaning for them or speak to their particular situation.
For many couples this is both exciting and daunting. After all,
the Bible is a pretty big book! Where to begin? How to choose?
Which to choose?
Most members of the clergy will not object to more than one
reading during your ceremony. In fact, many will encourage you
to pick as many as 3 passages. As difficult as it might be for
you to believe, it can be hard to narrow it down. There are so
many from which to choose!
The following list is Part One of a two-part article and begins
with readings from the Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew
Bible. The list comes as a result of years of working with
wedding couples in Episcopal, Lutheran, Roman Catholic,
Presbyterian, and Christian Science churches and from my
education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Direct quotes from the Bible are taken from the King James
Version, which is in the public domain. The interpretations or
paraphrases of these verses are strictly my own. However, they
do reflect mainstream thought and are non-denominational in
perspective.
Part One - Old Testament and Apocrypha
Readings from the Old Testament, also called The Hebrew Bible,
are also most appropriate for Jewish weddings.
Genesis 1:27-28a, 31a God's good and gracious work in creating
man and woman for each other Ruth 1:16 The devotion of Ruth to a
new family Song of Solomon 2:10-14, 16a The lover arrives in
Spring to call for his bride Song of Solomon 8:6-7 A bride
beseeches her lover to be faithful Isaiah 26:3-4 Trust in God
Isaiah 43:1-7 Our redemption by God, and God's presence and love
in our lives Isaiah 55:10-13 God's word feeds and nurtures us
Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Our certain salvation and a new status Psalm
19 A Psalm praising God as creator Psalm 34:8 A Psalm of
Thanksgiving. Vs. 8 is particularly nice for weddings which
include Holy Communion. Psalm 98:1a, 4-6 A Psalm of praise Psalm
100 A Psalm of praise Psalm 119 The longest in the Bible, the
entire Psalm is a reflection on God's laws, with verses 1-16
reflecting on walking always in God's way. Psalm 127 A home
built by God Psalm 128 The blessings of lives led by God Tobit
8:5-9 Tobias and Sarah praise God and acknowledge Him as the
creator who ordained marriage. Tobias prays for mercy and that
God allow him and Sarah to grow old together. (This is the only
verse from the Apocrypha.)
Part II of "Bible Verses for Your Wedding" will include
suggestions from the Gospels and New Testament with ideas on how
to choose appropriate passages to make your wedding special.