'The NIV Audio Bible App: Read by David Suchet', for iPhone and iPad, available from the Apple App Store/iTunes. Also in CD format (see Further Information). Price including audio, £19.99; basic app excluding audio, £2.99.

N.B. App requires 1.3GB installation space.

This app includes the full British text of the NIV Bible and full narration by British actor David Suchet, as well as many very useful features including a keyword search across the entire Bible, reading plans offering short (14 day) introductory guides to Jesus, Paul and the Old Testament, and summaries of each Bible book.

Another very worthwhile feature is a shortcut to many well-known passages of the Bible making it quick and easy to find any parable or miracle of Jesus or other significant events in his life - or indeed across the whole Bible. Also included in this menu is the ability to find passages relating to key personalities via an alphabetical list of their names. Overall the navigation is simple and effective. The Quick Verse Selector helps you find passages at speed and remembers your most visited places.

Navigation of the app is simple and effective – and it includes a variety of useful features in addition to the text and audio.

Journaling feature

The journaling feature allows you to add your own notes and bookmarks alongside the Bible text as if you were writing in the margins of your print Bible. Using this is easy and full instructions are given, both in terms of making notes and finding them again. You can even share them via the usual media of Twitter, Facebook, texts or email.

There is also a clear guide to using the app to help you get started and a section of FAQs to help with continued use. Getting the most out of the app is easy to grasp, and you need never be stuck!

Display options

The text itself is clear and readable, and available in two font sizes. The chapter and verse numbers can be switched off, as can the toolbars, if this helps give a less cluttered reading experience. Brightness can also be adjusted, and there is a 'dark mode' creating white letters on a black background. The words of Christ can also be turned red if desired.

The text can be scrolled up and down or swiped sideways as though turning normal pages. The footnotes of the print Bible are also available, appearing as pop-ups when you tap the small superscripted letter coloured blue in the text. Explanations of the archaic weights and measures and their metric equivalents can be found in a separate menu, under 'App Information'.

Suchet's Narration

And then there is the narration. A wonderfully sonorous and measured reading of three quarters of a million words, lasting 80 hours! The pace is unhurried and there is some characterisation though not excessively so that it grates on the ear. It is a very enjoyable listening experience from an acclaimed actor whose deep and melodic tones guide you gently but expertly through even the most difficult (and dare I say, boring!) passages.

David Suchet's narration is wonderfully sonorous and unhurried, guiding you gently but expertly through even the most difficult passages.

If you wish you can follow the text as it is narrated by selecting 'Highlight verse with audio'. Each verse is highlighted with a light grey background as it is read, and the pages are even turned for you at the appropriate moment.

Simply sitting back and listening to Suchet will also provide an opportunity to memorise verses as you can repeat sections over and over again until you have them in your head and your heart.

Overall

Here is a Bible App that will satisfy both those familiar with the scriptures and those just beginning to explore what the Bible has to say. It would make a splendid gift for Christmas, and for life!

Further information

Readers may enjoy a short background video on Youtube (2:32) in which David Suchet explains his own faith background and approach to the recording.

Alternative formats: The audio recording is also available in CD format from Hodder Faith and from Amazon. Both also sell part-recordings (e.g. the Gospels, the Psalms/poetry books).