Welcome to our Summer in the Psalms resource page.
Summer is here! Vacations, long days, late nights, and a change of pace. But too often, what becomes a break from routine also becomes a break from God. This year, instead of taking a summer vacation from God, we’re inviting you to take a summer with God. We’ve created this resource page to help you stay close to God through the Psalms all summer long. Right in the center of the Bible is a collection of songs and prayers called the Psalms. These aren’t just ancient words—they are God-given language to help you meet with Him in real life. No matter what you’re facing—stress, joy, confusion, fear, or fatigue—the Psalms help you connect with God’s presence, hear His voice, and follow His ways. Each week, we’ll explore one Psalm and give you a simple, practical way to walk with God every day. Don’t just attend—engage. Grab your Bible, lean in, practice during the week, and invite others to take this journey with you. If you’ll commit to it, this could be the summer that resets your walk with God.
Click on any button below to explore that resource.
Welcome to the Psalms
The book of Psalms is the Bible’s inspired songbook and prayer book. These 150 poems, songs, prayers, and cries of the heart teach us how to relate honestly to God in every season of life.
The Psalms help us do two things:
HEAR GOD SPEAK TO US
Through His truth, promises, wisdom, and presence.
SPEAK FOR US
To God when we don’t know what to say.
The Psalms give language to joy, fear, worship, grief, anger, gratitude, confusion, hope, repentance, and trust. They teach us that no emotion is beyond God’s presence.
JESUS LIVED IN THE PSALMS
He quoted them, prayed them, sang them, fulfilled them —and died with the words of a Psalm on His lips.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” — Psalm 22:1
This summer, as a church family, we want to learn to sing, pray, and live the Psalms… like Jesus.
What are the Psalms?
The Psalms were written across roughly 1,000 years of Israel’s history, from Moses to the generations after the exile. They carried God’s people through wilderness wandering, kingship, suffering, exile, repentance, worship, and restoration.
Main Writers of the Psalms
73 Psalms
David stands at the center of the Psalms.
Shepherd, warrior, king, worshiper, and songwriter — he brought every part of his life honestly before God.
ASAPH
12 Psalms
SONS OF KORAH
12 Psalms
SOLOMON
2 Psalms
MOSES
Psalm 90
HEMAN
Psalm 88
ETHAN
Psalm 89
The Five Books of the Psalms
The Psalms are arranged into five sections, each ending with a doxology of praise. Many Bible scholars see these five books as intentionally echoing the five books of Moses.
Book 1
THEME: God forms the righteous person through trust and obedience.
Mostly written by David. Personal worship, trust, repentance, and the contrast between the righteous and the wicked.
Book 2
THEME: God is the faithful King who rescues His people.
Longing for God, worship in difficulty, and hope in God’s reign.
Book 3
THEME: God remains faithful in seasons of confusion and crisis.
The darkest section of the Psalter — honestly wrestling with suffering, injustice, exile, and unanswered questions.
Book 4
THEME: The Lord reigns forever, even when earthly kingdoms fail.
Beginning with Moses, these Psalms redirect God’s people to His eternal rule, power, and faithfulness.
Book 5
THEME: God restores His people and leads them into praise.
Worship, thanksgiving, pilgrimage, God’s Word, and joyful praise that crescendos in Psalm 150.
How Jesus Used the Psalms
Jesus quoted the Psalms more than any other Old Testament book.
The Psalms shaped:
HIS PRAYER
HIS WORSHIP
HIS TEACHING
HIS MISSION
HIS SUFFERING
The early church followed His example. The New Testament repeatedly quotes and echoes the Psalms because the Psalms point us to Jesus.
A SIMPLE CHALLENGE:
This week, pray one Psalm that shaped Jesus.
Psalm 8
Psalm 22
Psalm 31
Psalm 69
Psalm 118
Read slowly. Notice what the Psalm reveals about God. Then pray it back to Him in your own words.
How to Engage the Different Types of Psalms
All 150 Psalms fall into a handful of types. Knowing the type tells you how to read it and how to pray it.
LAMENT~60 Psalms
Honest cries from grief, suffering, or injustice. The largest group in the Psalter.
START HERE: 13 · 22 · 42 · 88 · 142
HOW TO ENGAGE:
Bring your real pain to God. Don’t edit — the Psalms didn’t—end by naming one thing you still trust.
THANKSGIVING ~8 Psalms
Personal or communal gratitude for a specific rescue or answered prayer.
START HERE: 30 · 34 · 40 · 107 · 116
HOW TO ENGAGE:
Write down one specific way God has helped you this season. Thank Him out loud.
WISDOM ~9 Psalms
Teaching Psalms about how to live well — the way of God vs. the way of the world.
START HERE: 1 · 19 · 37 · 73 · 119
HOW TO ENGAGE:
Read slowly and ask: “What path is God showing me? What truth do I need to obey?”
HYMN / ASCENTS ~17 Psalms
Pilgrim songs and temple hymns — sung on the way up to Jerusalem for worship.
START HERE: 84 · 121 · 122 · 130 · 134
HOW TO ENGAGE:
Pray one each day for a week. They were meant to form a community on a journey.
PRAISE ~40 Psalms
Exuberant, full-voiced worship of God for who He is. Often communal, sung together.
START HERE: 8 · 100 · 103 · 145 · 150
HOW TO ENGAGE:
Read aloud. Use as a doorway into worship — then list 3 things about God that are true today.
TRUST ~6 Psalms
Quiet confidence in God’s care, often in the middle of trouble.
START HERE: 16 · 23 · 27 · 62 · 91
HOW TO ENGAGE:
Pick one verse. Repeat it slowly when fear rises throughout the day.
ROYAL ~10 Psalms
Psalms about the king — originally about David, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.
START HERE: 2 · 18 · 45 · 72 · 110
HOW TO ENGAGE:
Read with Jesus in mind. Notice how each verse points to His reign, rescue, or righteousness.
HOW TO USE THIS PAGE:
- Find a type that matches your situation.
- Open one of the Start Here Psalms.
- Read it slowly. Follow the engagement prompt. Five minutes is enough.
Psalms for Every Season of Life
One of the greatest gifts of the Psalms is that they meet us where we are. Whatever season you’re walking through, there’s a Psalm for it.
For each season below: read one Psalm slowly, sit with the questions, and pray.
When You Are Afraid or Anxious
READ
Psalm 23
Psalm 27
Psalm 46
Psalm 91
ASK
What does this Psalm say about God’s presence?
What fear do I need to bring honestly before Him?
PRAY
Repeat one phrase throughout the day. Example: “The Lord is my shepherd.”
When You Feel Guilty or Ashamed
READ
Psalm 32
Psalm 38
Psalm 51
Psalm 130
ASK
What does this Psalm teach me about confession?
What does it reveal about God’s mercy?
PRAY
Turn the Psalm into your own confession and receive God’s forgiveness.
When You Are Grieving or Discouraged
READ
Psalm 13
Psalm 42
Psalm 77
Psalm 88
ASK
What emotions are honestly expressed here?
What signs of hope remain?
PRAY
Bring your sadness to God
instead of hiding it from Him.
When You Are Thankful or Joyful
READ
Psalm 30
Psalm 65
Psalm 100
Psalm 145
ASK
What specific gifts of God can I celebrate?
What does this Psalm praise about God’s character?
PRAY
Thank God out loud for specific blessings in your life.
When You Feel Spiritually Dry
READ
Psalm 42
Psalm 63
Psalm 84
Psalm 143
ASK
What does this Psalm teach about longing for God?
Where have I been trying to satisfy my soul elsewhere?
PRAY
Ask God to awaken fresh
hunger for Him.
When You Need Wisdom or Direction
READ
Psalm 1
Psalm 19
Psalm 25
Psalm 119
ASK
What path is God calling me toward?
What truth do I need to obey?
PRAY
Ask God to shape your thinking and choices by His Word.
How to Pray the Psalms
The Psalms are not merely poems to study. They are prayers to pray.
- Read slowly – Don’t rush. Read the Psalm aloud if possible.
- Notice what stands out – Which verse grabs your attention? Which emotion or truth connects with your life?
- Pray it back to God – Turn the Psalm into personal prayer. “The Lord is my shepherd” → “Lord, be my Shepherd today. Lead me where You want me to go. Help me trust You.”
- Insert your life into the Psalm – Add names, fears, hopes, or situations into the prayer.
- Carry one phrase with you – Choose one line to repeat throughout the day. “Be still and know that I am God.” · “His steadfast love endures forever.”
- Pray the Psalm for someone else – Use the Psalm to intercede for a friend, family member, or someone who is suffering.
Understanding Hebrew Poetry
Hebrew poetry works through parallel thoughts, not rhyme. Once you see the patterns, the Psalms open up in powerful ways.
Synonymous Parallelism
The second line repeats the same idea differently.
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.”
— Psalm 19:1
Antithetic Parallelism
The second line contrasts the first.
“For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”
— Psalm 1:6
Synthetic Parallelism
The second line develops or expands the thought.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
— Psalm 23:1
The Psalms Teach Us to Be Honest
The Psalms give us permission to bring our real emotions to God. They include:
FEAR
ANGER
DOUBT
JOY
CONFUSION
GRIEF
HOPE
WORSHIP
Some Psalms even express deep frustration or cries for justice. Rather than hiding these emotions, the Psalms teach us to bring them honestly before God.
The goal of the Psalms is not polished spirituality.
The goal is an honest relationship with God.
A Simple Weekly Rhythm
A way to live in the Psalms all week long — not just on Sunday.
DAY
PRACTICE
WHAT TO DO
✓
SUN
Sing
Worship with God’s people.
☐
MON
Read
Read one Psalm slowly.
☐
TUE
Pray
Turn one Psalm into a prayer.
☐
WED
Write
Write one verse in a journal or on your phone.
☐
THU
Share
Text or share a Psalm verse with someone.
☐
FRI
Discuss
Read a Psalm aloud with family or friends.
☐
SAT
Rest
Sit quietly with one verse and reflect.
☐
Starter Psalms Everyone Should Know
A handful of Psalms every Christian should know by heart — start anywhere, and let them shape you over a lifetime.
Psalm 1 The path of the righteous
Psalm 8 Wonder and worship
Psalm 19 God’s glory and God’s Word
Psalm 23 The Shepherd’s care
Psalm 27 Confidence in fear
Psalm 32 The joy of forgiveness
Psalm 42 Longing for God
Psalm 46 God our refuge
Psalm 51 Repentance and grace
Psalm 63 Hunger for God
Psalm 84 Delight in God’s presence
Psalm 90 Life’s brevity and God’s eternity
Psalm 100 Joyful worship
Psalm 103 God’s compassion
Psalm 121 Help from the Lord
Psalm 139 God’s intimate knowledge of us
Psalm 145 God’s greatness and goodness
Psalm 150 A final explosion of praise
A Reading Guide for the Summer
Want to grow deeper through the Psalms? Here’s a curated reading pathway, organized from accessible introductions to richer, more demanding works.
TIER I
START HERE
Accessible & Practical
Warm, readable starting points for new readers, small groups, and anyone learning to read and pray the Psalms.
Be Exultant – https://shr.pn/7v9e
by Warren Wiersbe
A readable, devotional exposition of the Psalms in the trusted Be series — practical and pastoral.
Be Worshipful – https://shr.pn/xeaj
by Warren Wiersbe
Warm, readable exposition with clear, everyday application.
Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer – https://shr.pn/ag6P
by Eugene Peterson
A brief, inviting guide to learning the language of prayer from the Psalms.
TIER II
PRESS DEEPER
Deeper Reflection
Still readable, but pressing further into theology, interpretation, and the Psalms in the life of the church.
Praying the Psalms – https://shr.pn/MtXU
by Walter Brueggemann
A thoughtful guide to praying the Psalms with honesty, exploring how they shape the life of faith.
Reflections on the Psalms – https://shr.pn/lJgG
by C. S. Lewis
A classic set of essays on praise, judgment, cursing, and delight in the Psalms.
Learning to Love the Psalms – https://shr.pn/RJ8O
by W. Robert Godfrey
A clear guide to the shape, themes, and spiritual power of the Psalter.
TIER III
DIG IN
Richer Study
For teachers, preachers, and serious students seeking deeper theological and exegetical engagement.
Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible – https://shr.pn/DFBl
by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Short but weighty classic on praying the Psalms as the prayer book of Christ and the church.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 5 – https://shr.pn/NZ3D
by Willem VanGemeren
A respected one-volume commentary is often recommended for preachers and teachers.
Psalms (New Cambridge Bible Commentary) – https://shr.pn/mrWb
by Walter Brueggemann & William H. Bellinger
A rigorous, accessible commentary engaging the literary, theological, and historical depth of the Psalter.
The Psalms Are Meant to Become
songs we sing
prayers we pray
truths we remember
words we cling to
rhythms we live
Over time, the Psalms reshape how we think, feel, worship, suffer, repent, hope, and trust.
THIS SUMMER, AS A CHURCH FAMILY —
Sing the Psalms.
Pray the Psalms.
Live the Psalms.
Like Jesus.