Google Home’s ability to loudly read the Bible is a great feature! Here’s how…
Google Home can read the Bible
Google Home can actually read the Bible without any extra setup. Google Assistant “actions”, which are activated automatically, can be used to read the bible. YouVersion Bible and GodLife are some of the most popular Bible reading actions for Google Home. You can also say “OK Google, tell You Version John 3:16
Google Home Actions – Read the Bible
Google actions a third-party platform offers Applets to Google Assistant. These applets are used to enhance the functionality of Google Home.
Extended functionality is a big plus for something like reading the Bible. Google Home, without an applet would scan the internet looking for the desired bible verse and then regurgitate what it finds.
Sometimes you get lucky.
If you say “OK Google Timothy chapter 6, verse 12” without using any applets, Google Home will locate the verse for you on bibleref.com. read aloud.
Sometimes, you do.
Google Home will not be able to help you if you say, “OK Google, please read Proverbs chapter 18, verse 13”.
The best Google Home Applets to read the Bible
Instead of relying on Google Home to find the right bible verse, you can instead use an existing applet that reads the Bible to make sure it is found.
There are many different specialised Bible-reading applets that you can find on Google Home. Below, I will list the best four. All of them are completely free!
1. YouVersion Bible
YouVersion Bible is the most versatile of all Google Home Bible applets. This applet is professionally narrated and has tons of great features!
YouVersion Bible can be accessed by simply saying ” OK Google”, or talking to YouVersion Bible.
Here are some of the many questions you can ask:
YouVersion Bible can be asked to read any chapter or book in the bible.
You could say, “For example:
- “OK Google, tell YouVersion to read John”
- “Tell YouVersion, OK Google, to read Jeremiah chapter 29”
- “OK Google, tell YouVersion to read Psalm 23,:5”
- YouVersion Bible can provide the verse of each day.
You could say, “For example:
OK Google, tell YouVersion to read the verses of the day”
- You have the option to choose from five different Bible versions.
…King James Version”
- …English Standard Version”
- …New International Version
- …Message Version”
- …NLT Version”
The YouVersion Bible has everything you need. The only thing that I find difficult is remembering its name. It’s a name I forget often, so I have to go back and look it up before Google Home allows me to read it.
2. GodLife
GodLife was second, because its narration is the best on the list. The storytelling is very entertaining and it uses multiple voices to read.
This applet has some limitations in terms of functionality. You can only play one chapter from the bible.
You can access GodLife by first saying ” OK Google”, then talking to GodLife.
Here are some examples of questions you could ask:
GodLife can read any chapter of the bible.
You could say, “For example:
“OK Google, tell GodLife that you want to read Jeremiah chapter 29,”
Ask GodLife for the verse you are looking for.
You could say, “For example:
“OK Google, tell GodLife that you want to read the verse of today”
Ask GodLife for today’s devotion.
You could say, “For example:
3. jw.org
They offer a Google Home applet which can read the bible aloud, despite their reservations about Jehovah’s Witnesses. The video is also professionally narrated, and includes some very useful features.
It cannot play specific verses of the bible.
You can access jw.org by first saying ” OK Google, talk with jw.org”.
Here are some examples of questions you could ask:
Ask jw.org for a copy of any chapter or book in the Bible.
You could say, For example:
OK Google, tell JW.org to Read John”“OK Google, tell JW.org to read Jeremiah chapter 29,”
You can’t choose the exact version of the bible you want with jw.org. If they are available, jw.org can play recordings of the New World Translation 2013,. It will play recordings from the 1984 edition.
Many of the extra functionality offered by jw.org is Jehovah’s Witness-specific. has more information about these features.
4. Pocket Bible
The Google Home Bible reading app is a step down from YouVersion Bible and GodLife. It’s not professionally narrated. Instead, you will get a robotic sounding woman to read your Bible.
It can become quite annoying, I’ll admit.
Pocket Bible cannot read a complete book from the bible. You must choose a book and a chapter.
You can access Pocket Bible by saying ” OK Google”, or talking to Pocket Bible.
Pocket Bibles can be asked to read any verse or chapter in the bible.
You could say, “For example:
- “OK Google, tell Pocket Bible you would like to read Jeremiah chapter 29”
- “OK Google, tell Pocket Bible that you want to read Psalm 23, 23:5”
Pocket Bible offers a unique feature, which YouVersion Bible and GodLife don’t have, the ability to choose a topic from the bible. Pocket Bible will then show you the relevant chapter and verse. You can use the following example:
- “OK Google, tell Pocket Bible about Family.”
- “OK Google, tell Pocket Bible about Love.”
- “OK Google, tell Pocket Bible about Anger.”
- “OK Google, tell Pocket Bible about Jealousy.”
Conclusion
Google Home can automatically read the Bible aloud to you, without any additional setup.
In order of popularity, the top four Google Home Bible reading apps are YouVersion Bible and GodLife.
YouVersion Bible is the best choice if you want the most functionality. YouVersion Bible has a professional narration and allows you read entire books, chapters, and specific verses.
