Psalm Prayer--Communicating with God


Taken entirely from the Book of Psalms

Merciful heavenly father, I worship you in the splendor of your holiness. I proclaim you as my light, my rock, my joy, and my salvation. The heavens declare your glory and proclaim the majesty of your handiwork. Be exalted, O God! Let your glory be over all the earth! Let us make a joyful noise to the Lord! This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I lift up my eyes to the hills. I am yours, O God—a sheep in your pasture. The zeal for your house has consumed me. Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path; yes, the sum of your word is truth. As your servant I will meditate on your statutes. Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

O one who is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit—give me relief when I am groaning in distress—when my couch is drenched from weeping. I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop. But you are my refuge and strength, and a very present help in time of trouble. You have delivered me from every trouble and redeemed me from the pit. When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for my transgressions. Indeed, you uphold all who are falling and preserve all who love you.

In you do I trust and take refuge. I shall not be afraid. You are my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. You lead me beside still waters and restore my soul. My soul thirsts for you like a parched land. You satisfy the longing in my soul as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. Your steadfast love endures forever; your faithfulness endures to all generations. Your faithfulness is my shield and buckler. Allow me to take shelter under the shadow of your wings.

Your hands have made and fashioned me. You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Slow to anger and abounding in love, you are my help and my deliverer, O God. Set me in your presence forever. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! May I know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Lead me in the way everlasting.

Deliver me from sinking in the mire, and from the wicked who have laid a snare for me. If the foundations are destroyed, Lord, what can the righteous do? Redeem us from man’s oppression. Make your enemies like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind. Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name. Spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Let them be brought to ruin with their own tongues turned against them! While you are slow to anger, let your burning anger overtake them. May peace abound and the righteous flourish. Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord.

Hear my cry, O God. I pour out my heart before you. Brought forth in iniquity, we have all turned aside; there is none who does good, not even one. No one living is righteous before you. Our iniquities have overtaken us. We have no good apart from you. You have set out my iniquities before you, my secret sins exposed in the light of your presence. I confess my transgressions against you. Hear my voice and my pleas for mercy. 

May my steps hold fast to your path. In your righteousness deliver me. Help me to trust in you and not in my wealth or in princes. Grant me understanding. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth. Unite our hearts to fear your name, such fear being the beginning of wisdom. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk not in the council of the ungodly, nor stand with sinners, but walk in the law of the Lord. Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things and give me life in your ways. Teach me good judgment and knowledge.

Send out your light and truth; let them lead me. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit. May your face shine upon me and be gracious to me. Lift up your countenance on me and give me peace.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, may the name of the Lord be praised!