What is Paul's Handkerchief?

Paul's Handkerchief combines the latest in biblical scholarship alongside 'coffee with Jesus' activities to reclaim the Ancient Near East context, romance, and mystery of our Bibles.

What is the cover-to-cover Bible Challenge?

Few people who start reading the Bible ever finish it. The cover-to-cover challenge is for those ready to break that cycle — reading the entire Bible at their own pace, backed by community and tools built to make finishing not just possible, but inevitable. You will also get a certificate to celebrate your achievement each time.

What is Coffee with Jesus?

Having a coffee with Jesus is about spending quality time with Him. It isn't just Bible study, but a personal, intimate conversation with Him. Think less classroom, more kitchen table. The devotionals, quizzes, crosswords and journaling are all designed to let the Word shape your heart, not just your head.

What is the F.O.G. Bible Project?

Most English Bibles can't carry the full weight of what's in the original Hebrew and Greek. The F.O.G. Bible Project exists to change that: three new translations built publicly (a Study Bible, a Reader's Paraphrase, and F.O.G. Family), plus a word-by-word renewal of Strong's Concordance. It is Jean Paul Joseph's lifelong work, unfolding in public — and you're invited in.

Jean Paul Joseph is the lead editor of the F.O.G. Bible Project. He works from a personal encounter with Jesus first, then draws on the scholarship of respected Jewish and Christian scholars to produce resources designed for falling in love with the Word.

How do I get started?

Join the club, pick a Bible translation and a reading style that fits you, and you're in. From there, the app tracks your progress and helps keep you showing up — day after day, chapter after chapter.

How do I use this website?

This website has three main areas: the Cover-to-Cover Bible Challenge, Coffee with Jesus, and Study Guides. The Challenge helps you finish the Bible, Coffee with Jesus helps you fall in love with Him, and the Study Guides deepen your understanding of what the Word meant in its original context. To open the study features, simply click a verse in the Bible or select Library in the top navigation.

How much should I read each day?

That's up to you, but we recommend starting with a manageable goal and building up as the habit forms. One or two chapters a day is a great place to start, and three chapters a day will take you through the Bible in a year. If you want full immersion, the 6-Track plan lets you read up to six chapters a day across different sections of Scripture at once.

I prefer reading a physical Bible. What do I do?

We agree, and our goal is to eventually offer F.O.G. Bibles in print. In the meantime, you can read from a physical Bible and still use this website to track your progress and access the study features.

What is the 6-Track Bible reading plan?

The 6-Track plan has you read up to six chapters a day from six different sections of Scripture at the same time. It's adapted from Professor Grant Horner's method, and within eight months you'll read the whole Bible at least once, with parts like the Gospels and Psalms read more than once. It's built for deep immersion and takes about half an hour a day. You don't have to read six chapters daily, but if you choose this plan, we recommend at least three. You can also choose another plan on this website, such as the chronological option.

How do XP and ranks work?

Every activity earns you XP, which moves you through seven Hebrew ranks: Talmid, Mechoker, Maskil, Sofer, Moreh, Chacham, and Zaken. Each is named after a biblical word for going deeper into the Word. Beyond Zaken, five gem tiers await: Pearl, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, and Diamond. Each gem is added to your profile once you reach it.

How do I earn my Certificate of Completion?

You'll receive your certificate when you mark the final chapter of your cover-to-cover Bible Challenge as read. It's generated automatically and added to your profile. Free members receive a digital copy, while patrons receive an archival-quality certificate mailed to their door, ready for framing. You earn a new certificate every time you finish the Bible on this website.

How does patronage work?

A one-time gift of any amount earns you the Giver badge and a trial of RabbAI: 3 months, or 12 months for gifts of $50 or more. An active monthly gift of any amount earns you the Patron badge and keeps your RabbAI access going for as long as the gift continues. Give $50 and you'll receive a certificate mailed to your door when you complete the cover-to-cover Bible Challenge. Give $100 and you can sponsor a verse or page of your choice on this website. Your gift fuels this ministry, and we're grateful for your support.

Psalm 42:1 Overview & Translations

Translations

KJVPrimary

King James Version

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

F.O.G.Secondary

The F.O.G

For the Director of Music. A Maskil of the Sons of Korach. Like a doe panting over the dry riverbeds, so my nephesh longs for You, Elohim.

F.O.G.M.

F.O.G Message

To the Chief Musician. A Contemplative Psalm of the Sons of Korah. As a doe cries out for streams of water, so my soul cries out for You, God.

BSB

Berean Standard Bible

For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.

Footnotes

The superscription's maskil (מַשְׂכִּיל) is disputed — derived from śākal (to be wise, discerning, skilful), it may denote a 'contemplative,' 'instructive,' or 'artful' composition. F.O.G. preserves the transliteration; F.O.G.M. renders 'Contemplative Psalm' to capture its meditative depth. The creature in v.1 is grammatically masculine (ʾayyāl) in the MT but takes a feminine verb (taʿarōg, 3fs), strongly suggesting the original or intended reading was ʾayyālāh (doe/hind) — the LXX confirms this. A female deer's cry for water in a parched wadi evokes visceral, desperate longing, not mere preference. Nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ) — rendered 'soul' in most English versions — carries the full range of throat, breath, appetite, and whole being; the psalmist's longing is bodily, not merely interior. F.O.G. retains nephesh throughout; F.O.G.M. uses 'soul.'

Partner with us

Send a Gift

This website is 100% donor-funded. Your generosity allows someone else to do the cover-to-cover Bible Challenge free.

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Resources

Read Psalm 42:1 in the Bible

Footnotes

Translations

KJVPrimary

King James Version

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

F.O.G.Secondary

The F.O.G

For the Director of Music. A Maskil of the Sons of Korach. Like a doe panting over the dry riverbeds, so my nephesh longs for You, Elohim.

F.O.G.M.

F.O.G Message

To the Chief Musician. A Contemplative Psalm of the Sons of Korah. As a doe cries out for streams of water, so my soul cries out for You, God.

BSB

Berean Standard Bible

For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.

Footnotes

Partner with us

Send a Gift

This website is 100% donor-funded. Your generosity allows someone else to do the cover-to-cover Bible Challenge free.

$100 sponsors a verse of your choice

Resources

Read Psalm 42:1 in the Bible

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Psalm 42:1

Translations

Footnotes

Send a Gift

Resources

Psalm 42:1

Translations

Footnotes

Send a Gift

Resources

Psalm 42:1

Translations

Footnotes

Send a Gift

Resources