In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
3 Powerful Psalms When You Can’t Sleep
There’s an estimated third of the population that struggles with sleep-related problems today. That statistic is not only staggering but growing. While there’s a plethora of reasons why this is happening (especially nowadays), one thing is sure — we need remedies! Fortunately there are a few things we can do to help ourselves wind down after a long day. One of my personal favorites? Read the Psalms. Yes, that’s right. Read the Book of Psalms. Not only will your soul thank you, and not only will you gain divine and eternal Wisdom, but it will also soothe your mind. Reading the Psalms mysteriously (and wonderfully) puts you in a state of relaxation which, consequently, makes you sleepy! Thank You, Jesus!
I have personally found the Book of Psalms to be most beneficial for peace and comfort. This beautiful Book of soothing poetry, mixed with the power of God’s Word, will put your heart and mind at rest. As I have personally witnessed, this tranquil state of being sets us up for some much needed sleep.
If you are anything like me, looking for alternative (and healthy) ways to get more shuteye, here are three of my all-time favorite Psalms to read before bed. I hope that as you contemplate these bedtime prayers, your mind, body and soul will surrender under the stars at last. Goodbye restlessness, hello sleep!
3 Popular Psalms For Sleep
Psalm 91
It is easier to ward off anxious and fearful thoughts during the day when we are busy, but they all seem to creep in as soon as our heads hit the pillow. Fear and anxiety are the enemy of sleep, and that is exactly why I love Psalm 91. I have included a few of the verses in the prayer below but if you find yourself struggling to sleep due to fear, I highly recommend reading the entire chapter. Psalm 91 reminds us that God will not only protect us, but defend us! He reminds us that our fear does not stand a chance against His unfathomable power.
Prayer at bedtime — adapted from Psalm 91
“Whoever dwells in the Shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my Refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.’
Surely He will save me
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover me with His feathers,
and under His wings I will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be my shield and rampart.
I will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at my side,
ten thousand at my right hand,
but it will not come near me.
I will only observe with my eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
If I say, ‘The Lord is. my refuge,’
and I make the Most High my dwelling,
no harm will overtake me,
no disaster will come near my tent.
For He will command His angels concerning me
to guard me in all my ways;
they will lift me up in their hands,
so that I will not strike my foot against a stone.
I will tread on the lion and the cobra;
I will trample the great lion and the serpent.
Because I love Him, says the Lord, He will rescue me;
He will protect me, for I acknowledge His Name.
He will call on me, and I will answer Him;
He will be with me in trouble,
He will deliver me and honor me.
With long life He will satisfy me
and show me my salvation. Amen.”
Psalm 116
This Psalm is a must-go-to on sleepless nights. Say it slowly, either audibly or in your mind, and really think about the words. You will be reminded of how good the Lord is and this will give your soul rest. We all have experienced much of His goodness, provision and grace in our lives (pause and think about all the good He has done for you). Combined with the utmost gratitude for your Heavenly Father, this verse will give you a peace that relaxes your entire being and you will soon find yourself letting go and casting all your cares unto Him.
Prayer at bedtime — adapted from Psalm 116
“I love the Lord, for He heard my voice;
He heard my cry for mercy.
Because He turned His ear to me,
I will call on Him as long as I live.
The Lord is gracious and righteous;
my God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary;
when I am brought low, He saves me.
Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord is so good to you.”
Psalm 4
After a long day of to-do lists and taking care of others, you deserve that much needed R&R. Unfortunately, that is often a lot easier said than done. Ironically, the more busy of a day I have had … the more challenging it is to wind down at the end of the day and fall asleep. My mind races with everything that happened that day and what might happen tomorrow. And there is nothing worse than trying to fall asleep with an anxious and restless spirit. It is during these nights I love to pull out Psalm 4. With this Psalm, I am reminded once again that God is in control and that I can fully trust in Him. When we trust God, that frees us from having to worry! And that is exactly the kind of truth we can sleep on.
Prayer at bedtime —adapted from Psalm 4
“Answer me when I call to You, Lord,
my righteous God whom I love.
Give me relief from all my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
In Your presence I will lie down and sleep,
for You alone, Lord,
make me dwell in peace and safety.”
Sweetdreams!
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