Reflections and Resources for the Psalms

The title indicating resources for the Book of Psalms over an image of a bible open to Psalm 72 with a rosary on it.

The Book of Psalms is a book of prayers. The psalms express the author’s praise, thanksgiving, distress, or even anger.

Background Material

A some background material or a Catholic commentary on the Book of Psalms is a good starting point.

The Psalms are songs which are meant to be prayed. This article explains more about this beautiful book.

And these two books approach the Psalms from a Catholic perspective:

Psalms 1 to 10

A Prayer for Good Friends

This prayer asks God to bless us with good friends and to help us make good choices about relationships. It is based on Psalm 1.

A Prayer of Human Dignity

This prayer based on Psalm 8 praises God for granting us human dignity as His children.

Psalms 11 to 20

Prayer for Doing the Right Thing

Psalm 15 is a prayer for doing the right thing, a prayer which calls us to be “doers of the Word.” Psalm 15 spells out that God expects His people to act with justice.

Prayer to the God of Goodness

This prayer to the God of Goodness is a prayer of praise. We must remember all of the blessings our heavenly Father has poured out on us. This prayer is based on Psalm 16.

A Prayer to God My Rock

This prayer to God My Rock is a prayer of thanksgiving. No matter what we are going through in life, God is there to support us. This prayer is based on Psalm 18.

Praise the Glory of God

This prayer, based on Psalm 19, praises the glory of God. God has done so many wonders for us that we cannot contain it. We must praise Him.

Psalms 21 to 30

This prayer based on Psalm 22 is a prayer for when we feel like God is nowhere to be found. Psalm 22 is the psalm Jesus prayed from the cross when he quoted “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

A Prayer for Guidance

In this prayer for guidance we surrender to God’s will so he can show us the path to take. This prayer is based on Psalm 25.

Prayer to the Lord of Majesty

This prayer acclaims God as the Lord of Majesty and King of the World. It based on Psalm 29.

Prayer to God My Hope in Time of Fear

Sometimes we are overcome by fear. We think we can handle it ourselves. But eventually we find that we need God’s grace. And when we turn to Him, he does not disappoint.

Psalms 31 to 40

The Power of God

This prayer praises the power of God and the protection He gives us. It is based on Psalm 33.

Thanks Be to God My Deliverer

Psalm 34 is a prayer of thanksgiving which David prayed when God delivered him from his enemies.

Psalms 41 to 50

A Prayer of Love to God

Psalm 45 is a wedding song. It speaks of the strength of the king, who marries a foreign woman who leaves her family to become his wife. The song praises his justice. This king loves his wife and her beauty.

A Prayer to God Who Is Above All

This is a prayer based on Psalm 47. This psalm praises God who is above all and who rules all.

Psalms 51 to 60

Washed Away Prayer Service

This prayer service includes a reading from Psalm 51. The water and the washing are tangible reminders of how Jesus Christ has washed away our sins through his sacrifice on the cross.

The Lord Upholds My Life

This social media graphic is for Psalm 54:6. It reminds us that we are dependent on God.

Feel free to download and use with reference to young-catholics.com

Prayer for Defense

This prayer, based on Psalm 54, is a prayer asking for defense when our enemies seem to surround us. These could be personal enemies or things bad habits.

Psalms 61 to 70

A Prayer of Longing for God

This prayer expresses a longing for God and a true desire to be close to Him. It is based on Psalm 63.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

This prayer expresses gratitude to God for all of the blessings in our lives. It is based on Psalm 67.

Psalms 71 to 80

A Prayer as I Grow Older

This prayer, based on Psalm 71, asks God to be with us as we grow older and our lives change. Suddenly there are new challenges which we need God’s help with.

In Remembrance

This prayer based on Psalm 78 reminds us that our history is important. We can learn from what has happened before. In this case, we see that as God’s people we are weak. And yet God continues to be faithful to us. This brings us great hope.

A Prayer to Restore Our World

This prayer to restore our world is a prayer of worship. God has created this space for us and it has been damaged. This prayer is based on Psalm 80.

Psalms 81 to 90

Prayer to the God of Peace and Justice

This is a prayer based on Psalm 85. God desires peace and justice for all of His beloved children. When we know God’s mercy and hear his voice, we are called to do His will. We are called to work for His Kingdom.

Show Us Your Mercy

This social media graphic is for Psalm 85:8. It reminds us that the Lord is so good to us. He provides enough for the whole world. He looks on us with kindness but also with truth.

Feel free to download and use with reference to young-catholics.com

Eternal God Prayer

This prayer praises the Eternal God. Our Heavenly Father is everlasting and we are limited. We should use our time to serve God. This prayer is based on Psalm 90.

Psalms 91 to 100

A Prayer to God My Protector

This prayer based on Psalm 91 is a prayer to God my protector. God shelters us in his love and keeps us from harm.

Praise God All Day

This prayer based on Psalm 92 reminds us to praise God all day long – from morning to night. He is the source of our joy.

Prayer to God the King

This prayer to God the King is a prayer of worship. God is greater than all, including those things we are afraid of. This prayer is based on Psalm 93.

A Song to God

This prayer is a joyful song to God. It praises Him for his fairness and all of the blessings he bestows on the world. This prayer is based on Psalm 96.

I Am Yours

This prayer based on Psalm 100 is a prayer which recognizes that God is our creator and that he cares for us. We are in good hands.

Psalms 101 to 110

Praise the Goodness of God

This prayer based on Psalm 103 praises the goodness of God. He knows us completely and shows us mercy. He does not hold our sins against us. Instead he saves us.

Praise to God the Creator

This prayer praises God the creator of all. It recognizes Him as Lord of earth and wind and sea and more. This prayer is based on Psalm 104.

Psalms 111 to 120

Prayer of Thanksgiving for Being Saved

This prayer, based on Psalm 116, is a prayer of thanksgiving for being saved by God. This is a prayer for when I have been distressed and called upon the Lord, and he has come to my rescue.

A Prayer of Joyful Thanksgiving

This prayer based on Psalm 118 is a prayer of joyful thanksgiving. It celebrates our salvation and expresses gratitude to God.

Psalms 121 to 130

A Prayer to God on the Mountain

This prayer based on Psalm 121 is a prayer to meet God on the mountain. There we see His eternal goodness and faithfulness.

A Prayer for a Blessed Home

This blessed home prayer, based on Psalm 128, asks for blessings on our home and family as we follow the ways of the Lord.

Prayer when My Dreams Come True

This prayer is a prayer of gratitude for when our dreams come true. We prayed when we were in distress and an outcome seemed impossible, but God reversed our situation and brought us joy. This prayer is based on Psalm 126

Psalms 131 to 140

A Prayer of Faithfulness

Psalm 132 was sung as the ark of the covenant was processed into the temple. The ark was carefully constructed to God’s specifications. This prayer reflects God’s promises.

A Prayer of a Grateful Heart

This prayer of a grateful heart, based on Psalm 138, expresses gratitude for God’s loving care. We may seem insignificant in this world, but we are important to our Heavenly Father.