diff --git a/kjvstudy_org/routes/misc.py b/kjvstudy_org/routes/misc.py
index f8781f6..d645500 100644
--- a/kjvstudy_org/routes/misc.py
+++ b/kjvstudy_org/routes/misc.py
@@ -240,8 +240,9 @@ async def verse_of_the_day_page(
 
     # Calculate prev/next dates for navigation
     prev_date = (current_date - timedelta(days=1)).strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
-    next_date = (current_date + timedelta(days=1)).strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
     today_str = datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
+    # Only allow next_date if viewing a past date (can't go to future)
+    next_date = (current_date + timedelta(days=1)).strftime("%Y-%m-%d") if date_str < today_str else None
 
     # Generate past 30 days of verses (from the viewed date)
     past_verses = []
diff --git a/kjvstudy_org/templates/verse_of_the_day.html b/kjvstudy_org/templates/verse_of_the_day.html
index 7ccf5fc..df66199 100644
--- a/kjvstudy_org/templates/verse_of_the_day.html
+++ b/kjvstudy_org/templates/verse_of_the_day.html
@@ -465,11 +465,8 @@
         } else if (e.key === ']') {
             // Next day (only if not viewing future)
             e.preventDefault();
-            {% if not is_today %}
+            {% if next_date %}
             window.location.href = '/verse-of-the-day?date={{ next_date }}';
-            {% else %}
-            // Already on today, go to today's page (removes query param)
-            window.location.href = '/verse-of-the-day';
             {% endif %}
         } else if (e.key === 't') {
             // Jump to today