Praying the Psalms
Lately, I have been reading a book titled Praying the Psalms by Clift and Kathleen Richards. There are many books like it, and certainly the act of praying the Psalms is not a new idea, but this is the book that I happened to come across while shopping for books. The title intrigued me, because there is indeed much good wisdom and songs of praise in the book of Psalms.
I have been trying to make an act of following the advice in this book by creating and praying prayers based on the chapters of Psalms. There are many topics covered in Psalms and the book provides a nice index of them all and many example prayers. However, I have been trying to read through the whole Bible for a second time, and while going through the Psalms, I challenged myself to create a prayer for each chapter.
For reference, during this reading through the Bible, I am using the NASB 2020 translation, so the prayers that I post may reflect how this translation is written.
Table of Contents
Psalms 1
Lord, let me delight in your law. Teach me to meditate on your law, day and night. Plant me like a tree, by streams of water, and let my works be fruitful. Let me not wither away, but in whatever I do, Lord, let me prosper.
Lord, keep me from wicked ways, and please forgive me of my sins, so that I may stand blameless in your judgement and join your righteous assembly.
I pray this to you, the Father, through the Son, and filled with the Holy Spirit;
Amen.
Psalms 2
Lord, please reveal to me why all the world is restless, and why people plot in vain. Reveal to me, o’ Lord, why they conspire against you and your anointed. For I know that you sit in heaven laughing at them, and you speak with great fury, rebuking them.
You are my father and I am your son. I know that all I need is ask of you and I shall receive. Lord, give me the strength to shatter my enemies.
Lord grant me insight and instruct me how to serve you with reverence, and rejoice with trembling. I give praise to you, Lord Jesus! Do not be angry or have wrath towards me.
Blessed be those who take refuge in you!
I pray this to you, the Father, through the Son, and filled with the Holy Spirit;
Amen.
Psalms 3
Lord, see the many enemies I have rising up against me. They tell me that I am beyond redemption by your salvation.
But you, o’ Lord, are my shield, my glory, the one who lifts my head. I cry out to you and you answer me from high.
Each night, I lay down to rest, knowing that I will awake, for you, o’ Lord, sustain me. I will not be afraid of the great many who set themselves against me.
Lord, please rise and save me! Strike my enemies down and shatter them. Salvation belongs to you, o’ Lord. Blessed be all your people!
I pray this to you, the Father, through the Son, and filled with the Holy Spirit;
Amen.
Psalms 4
God of my righteousness, please answer my call! You bring me comfort in the bad times, now be gracious and hear my prayer. How long will I be put to shame? How long will other seek lies?
Lord, I know you have set apart your people for yourself; you hear me when I call you. I tremble for fear of you God, and do my best not to sin. I shall meditate your word in my heart while I rest, o’ Lord.
Lord, let my sacrifices be pleasant to you, strengthen my trust in you. Those who ask for good in the world, Lord, shine the light of your glory upon their faces! You put joy in my heart, o’ Lord, more than you will ever know. I will rest in peace tonight, Lord, for I know I am in your safety.
I pray this to you, the Father, through the Son, and filled with the Holy Spirit;
Amen.
Psalms 5
Hear my prayer, o’ Lord; listen to my sighing and crying. I pray to you in the morning, you hear my voice, and I eagerly await your response.
Thank you Lord, for shunning those with evil ways, and for harboring no evil yourself. Those who are arrogant, deceitful, and violent fail to live in your ways. Therefore, Lord, open their eyes to the impact of their actions, let them see what you see, and incline their ways to yours.
As for me, I bow to your glory, Lord. Lead me in your ways of righteousness and make your way straight for me. Lead me not down the path of sin, for there is nothing of value there.
Rejoice all who take refuge in the Lord; sing joyously forever! Lord, may you shelter them, that they may rejoice in you. Bless the righteous person, o’ Lord; surround them with your shield of favor.
I pray this to you, the Father, through the Son, and filled with the Holy Spirit;
Amen.
Psalms 6
Lord, please do not punish me. Have grace on me Lord, for I am weak. Please heal my ailments lord. How long will I wait for your blessing?
Return to me, o’ Lord, and rescue me, save me with your mercy. For there is not a soul in hell who will praise you. But I will praise you always.
I am always longing for you, Lord. I toss and turn in bed at night, wasting away because of my enemies. Flee now enemies, for the Lord has heard my cry! He has heard me and received my prayer. Send all of my enemies away with your power and might, o’ Lord. Make them turn and run, and put them to shame.
I pray this to you, the Father, through the Son, and filled with the Holy Spirit;
Amen.
Page last updated: Monday, May 18, 2026 at 08:01:25 AM CDT