Praying the Psalms

Psalms has been called the prayer book of the Bible in both Jewish and Christian traditions. It is a collection of sung prayers that has been used in worship from the time of ancient Israel up to the present. Because the psalms range so widely in emotional expression, from the heights of adoration and praise to the depths of vengeful curses against the enemy, they have special relevance to our prayer life. They teach us to hide nothing from God, but to bring all that is real into the only relationship that can bless the best and heal the worst in us.

No matter what we are feeling — distress, trust, anger or delight, we find the words of the psalms accompany us into God's presence. In the psalms we find words to express every conceivable human condition and feeling. These prayers give us words to glorify, confess, hope, ask, and even curse. In so doing, they give us permission to share our whole being with God.

Ready to Try It? Choose a Scripture

ANXIOUS/AFRAID
     • Psalm 70

ENVIOUS
     • Psalm 73

DESPAIRING
     • Psalm 77

SICK AND TIRED
     • Psalm 6

GRATEFUL
     • Psalm 9

CONTENTED
     • Psalm 23

WRONGLY ACCUSED
     • Psalm 17

AWED BY GOD
     • Psalm 29