Dwell: Audio Bible

I love Bible Apps! I am a pastor and theologian and have used many Apps, since the dawn of Apps, both mobile and desktop versions. Dwell is my favorite to date for three reasons: 1) You can search for and listen to a specific set of verses, and do so on repeat! If you’re studying or memorizing, let’s say John 3:14-19, you can listen to only those verses over and over instead of having to listen to the whole chapter; 2) Background track customization and mediation timing! Do you want to hear crickets, a waterfall, or Gregorian Chant in the background while you listen to your verses? You can! Or if you prefer silence, or a dozen-plus other options, you get to set the mood…bonus, add periods of silence for contemplation between chapters or tracks!; 3) Daily Dwell. Each day a different leader leads you in a short Bible study, meditation, and prayer. These are so rich! I never fail to start my morning by betting centered in God’s presence and Dwell Daily is one of my number one tools in my tool box for spiritual formation. Thank you Dwell for the best Bible App. You’ve set the bar high. Let’s see of anyone can do better! Shout out to Viv and Ian, two of my favorite Dwell Daily leaders! Their spiritual depth and wisdom are priceless. (In case any one is wondering. I am not affiliated with Dwell in anyway. I’m literally just a happy customer who has been using Dwell for almost a year now.)

Dwell is my favorite app for listening to Scripture. I am still learning about it and there are features that are not quite as easy to find each time I open the app but it remains my favorite for several reasons: 1. Preferences - ability to choose a translation, a voice, and background music or sound, 2. The reader does not stop with one chapter (at least in the Psalms) but continues to the next in sequence. This has been such a helpful tool for falling asleep peacefully. 3. Anglican daily readings, 4. Reading/study plans - while I haven’t explored these yet, I appreciate the variety of options. I’ve tried other apps and some did not have options for voices (especially diverse voices from around the world) while others were just too overwhelming with flashy home pages full of such a variety, it was more difficult to navigate. This app has helped me through a very traumatic experience. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an app that helps you grow as a believer but especially those who have experienced trauma or loss and need help to remain grounded. Dwell is simple, yet offers tremendous comfort and healing. The cost is reasonable and a free trial is offered.

The Narrators are very good, they don’t over-do the reading, and they are smooth, consistent, and clear. The Dwell mode (repeating a chapter, book, or playlist) is probably my favorite feature as it allows you to really focus on a particular portion of Scripture for study, contemplation, or memorization. The pre-set playlists also set this app apart, as there are selections with messianic Psalms, or with only Psalms written by David, or with a compilation of Jesus’ parables. I don’t know if any other apps that offer these features, or that execute it so well. I also enjoy the yearly reading plan options with the choice of going straight through the Bible (Genesis through Revelation), or a mixture of Old and New Testament readings, and also the option of doing a seven day a week or a five day a week plan. All in all, I rate this app five stars. One suggestion that I have is that the developers made a reader option with all of the readers together almost like a dramatized version, but just switch to the female voice when a woman is speaking and switching between the male narrators during conversion. This would require no extra recording, only re-editing and re-arranging when certain voices are heard. This feature in other apps helps me to follow historical stories more easily and it holds my attention better than the traditional single-reader style.