Psalms

God has done so much in my life, and I am sure in yours as well. Sometimes I have difficulty finding the words to express my worship and adoration, especially in prayer. How do I fully express gratitude to the One True God for His abundant blessings? In times of distress, what do I say to convey my pain? When I am down to my last ounce of strength, how do I communicate my need to my Father?

One of the most significant sources of words for praise, worship, thanksgiving, and need comes from the book of Psalms. The book of Psalms is one of only two books in the Bible constructed as a compilation. The second is Proverbs.

Watch: 3 Powerful Psalms for Protection

Musical instruments often accompanied the psalms, making them the hymns of God’s people. Jesus sang psalms with His disciples on the night before His death. Psalms were sung regularly by the congregation and lifted up by individuals in adoration and intercession. Just as the Israelites prayed the psalms, we can also use them regularly to worship God and to bolster our prayers.

There are several ways to use psalms in our prayers. Start by reading a psalm through and meditating on its purpose. Consider whether the psalm is meant as worship, thanksgiving, or is a lament of sorrow, or a cry for deliverance. Then, make the words your words. Try inserting your name to create a personal psalm. No matter your situation, there is a psalm for every need.

Whether or not you struggle to find the words to pray, here are 10 powerful psalms to pray regularly:

1. To Give Praise – Psalm 30:4-5

“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Psalm 30:4-5 ESV

David wrote this psalm for the dedication of his palace, and yet there is no reference to the structure; only praise for all God had done. David invites the congregation to join him in this praise, and he invites us as well. Use this psalm in prayer to give thanks for God’s patience and His faithfulness. Although we suffer pain as consequences for our sin, as David did, it will be brief compared to the joy on the horizon.

2. To Trust in God – Psalm 37:2-3

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:2-3 ESV

Sometimes evil abounds in our midst. We may not understand why evil people prosper and we struggle. Praying the words of this psalm reminds us that God is faithful and we should trust Him to bring justice. In the meantime, we continue doing good and delighting in the truth of His love.

3. To Pray for Deliverance – Psalm 40:1-2

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”

Psalm 40:1-2 ESV

This psalm reminds us of God’s faithfulness to be our help and our Deliverer. When we are in despair and see no way for the future, praying this psalm encourages us to trust in the Lord and be assured that He hears our prayers and requests.

4. To Pray For Protection – Psalm 46:10-11

“’Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!’ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Psalm 46:10-11 ESV

The first words of this psalm declare God’s protection. He is a refuge and fortress. No matter what happens God is in control. Praying this psalm for the times when we fear gives us hope to endure because we know in the end He will be exalted. All we have to do is be still and expect Him to move.

5. To Pray When You Are Overwhelmed – Psalm 55:22

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you, he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Psalm 55:22 ESV

You can pray this psalm when the world feels overwhelming. When the world feels heavy, and your burdens are many, this psalm stresses God’s strength and protection. Giving God our cares and trusting in His protection keeps us from being tossed back and forth between fear and anxiety. We can stand firm no matter the situation and not be moved.

6. To Worship God For all He Has Done – Psalm 103:1-2

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

Psalm 103:1-2 ESV

David is the author of this psalm although his circumstances are unclear. He always had reason to give praise. David is not saying here that he could bless God but that it honors and blesses God when we praise Him with everything we have. Just like David, we have so many reasons to glorify God. Try praying this entire psalm as worship for everything God does in our lives.

7. To Give Thanks For His Mercy – Psalm 106:1

“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Psalm 106:1 ESV

This psalm refers to God’s loyal covenant love, or mercy. The verses that follow in this psalm retell the details of God’s disobedient people and how He had mercy on them. They wandered and often forgot whose they were. They worshiped idols and turned against God’s will. We can probably say the same. Nevertheless, He heard their cry and He hears ours. To pray this psalm reminds us of God’s unfailing love and mercy even though we stray from His will and protection.

8. To Give Thanks For Answered Prayers – Psalm 116:1-2

“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.”

Psalm 116:1-2 ESV

We know God answers prayers and the psalmist here gives thanks and gratitude for all he has received through answered prayer. Near death, according to the psalm, he cried out, and God heard and he was saved. Lifting up this psalm in prayer gives thanks to God for answered prayers and reminds us of His faithfulness.

9. To Offer Gratitude for God’s Word – Psalm 119:1

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!”

Psalm 119:1 ESV

This psalm is the longest chapter in the Bible and focuses almost entirely on God’s word, referred to as a “lamp unto my feet.” Scripture is a central part of every Christian’s life and praying this psalm, even in part, gives us an opportunity to give thanks for God’s word.

10. To Remember God Made Us – Psalm 139:14

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Psalm 139:14 ESV

Written by David, this psalm reminds us that God is everywhere and that He created us exactly to be who we are. Consider the miracle of the human body or the splendor of creation. Each part of our bodies works together perfectly by design. The only response to knowing the Creator specifically made us is worship and adoration.

These are only a few psalms you can pray regularly. There are 150 psalms containing over 2,500 verses written by David, Moses, Solomon and many unnamed saints. I urge you to explore the Psalms and find the words for your prayers in the songs of God’s people.

Source: I believe

Anxiety and depression are two words that I desperately wish were not in my personal vocabulary and experience. But, they are. God allowed me to walk through several years in the valley of the shadow of death and now that I’m on the other side of it, I believe He had my good in mind. I believe He taught me things in the valley that I could never have learned on the mountaintop. I believe that He wanted to prove to me that I truly am never alone, though I felt it many times. I believe He wanted to teach me that my feelings do not equate truth. God wanted to show me parts of Himself that I might never have known otherwise.

My season of depression is over for now; however, the anxiety can creep in, often unannounced, and leave me reeling. Sometimes the fear is so thick that I just know if I reach out my hands I can touch it. Sometimes the fear and anxiety keep me awake at night.

I know I’m not the only one that struggles. God has taught me much on this journey and I hope that these verses and these words will remind you that you also aren’t alone, you aren’t forsaken, and the God of the universe loves you. He longs for you to trust Him even through seasons where we don’t understand what is happening around us or in us.

For me, praying God’s Word in particular has been one thing that has helped me my heart so much. Sometimes in the depth of despair we don’t feel like we have the words to pray. So, instead, God gives us His own word and we pray it back to Him. We want to be close to God but don’t know how. His Word provides that closeness and nearness of Himself. He gives us Himself through the gift of His Word. His Word can be your lifeline, friend, don’t take it for granted!

Here are some of my favorite verses to pray when I’m struggling. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Psalm 23 – This passage is so well known to most people, but don’t overlook the profound truth and comfort this Psalm brings to us just because you’ve heard it many times before. Speak the words to God:

“God, You are my shepherd, I lack nothing. You make me lie down in green pastures, You lead me beside still waters, You restore my soul. You lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me! Your rod and your staff, they comfort me! You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in Your house forever. Amen.” Psalm 23:1-6

Psalm 27 – This Psalm is one of my life verses. I’ve struggled a lot with people pleasing which I think leads to anxiety so often. Wondering and worrying and becoming fearful of what others think or what they might do or say about us. We can’t live in that place! We must preach the gospel to ourselves and remind our hearts the The LORD alone is our light and our salvation!

“God, You are my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? You are the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked come against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear!” Psalm 27:1-3

Psalm 34 – I like to think of this Psalm as the Psalm for the brokenhearted and fearful one. God love the brokenhearted, you know. And we are all broken, by the way.

“I will bless You at all times, Your praise will continually be in my mouth. I sought You, Lord, and You heard me, You delivered me from all my fears. When we look to You we are radiant. Your angels encamp all around those who fear You and You deliver us. Help me to taste and see that You are good, oh Lord. You say I will be blessed when I trust You. Those who seek You lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:1-10

Psalm 61 – Isn’t it encouraging to read the words of David, a Bible hero, who struggled like we do? That may be one of the reasons the Psalms are my favorite place to camp in God’s Word when I’m struggling. I especially like Psalm 61 in the New King James because of the word “overwhelmed.” I have spent seasons living in an overwhelmed state. When I find myself there, I pray these words:

“Hear my cry, O God; from the ends of the earth I cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you are a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy…” Psalm 61:1-3

Psalm 91 – Psalm 91 is another Psalm with such comfort that helps us learn how much it truly impacts us when we abide in Christ. Psalm 91 tells us that when we abide or dwell in the shelter of the Most High, we can REST in His shadow. He gives us rest from our worry, from our fears, from our anxiety.

“You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2

When the anxiety sets in, repeat some of these verses out loud. Speak them to God. Memorize His Word. Cling to these truths. Repeat to the Lord, “I trust You, I trust You…” and when we abide in Christ, the peace that passes all understanding begins to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-6

Did you catch the beautiful truth in that passage? Prayer brings peace. When we are anxious about anything we are instructed to take it to God – with thanksgiving even! And then? Then, the peace of God, which we may never understand, will GUARD our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Prayer brings peace. Prayer gives us more of Jesus. And that is just what we need in our moments and seasons of anxiety: more of Jesus.

Note – If you or a loved one struggles with anxiety, depression or any mental illness, please reach out for help! Tell someone, a friend, a spouse, or your doctor. There is help, hope and healing available for you! Do not suffer alone.

Candace Crabtree is just a broken mama thankful for grace and new mercies every morning. She and her husband live in East Tennessee where they homeschool their 3 kids. Candace also enjoys teaching piano, coffee, good books and blogging at His Mercy Is New. On her blog she shares encouragement for weary women from God’s Word along with resources for learning to pray the Scriptures.

Source: I believe

Tamela Tuberville: 10 Powerful Psalms You Should Pray Regularly