The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
Psalm 27:1
9 Most Powerful Psalms for People Who Struggle with Anxiety
If you are struggling with anxiety today, the best thing you can do is lean into the Word of God. There is nothing this side of Heaven that can help us (and heal us!) holistically like God can — and we get direct access to that healing through His Word. The Psalms are particularly powerful in this regard. When we cannot find the right words or the energy to conjure our own prayer, the psalms will always guide us perfectly. Through the words of the psalmists, God has given us His own Word that we pray back to Him. This is one of the reasons the Universal Church prays the psalms every single day of the year – they are powerful and infallible!
The psalms also help us find the words to draw closer to God when we don’t know how. Using His Words provides a closeness and nearness that we so desperately need and cannot get to on our own. The truth is, His Word is our lifeline! And we have been given this gift to utilize especially in times of anxiousness as an act of His love and grace.
So if you are feeling downtrodden and anxious today, spend at least fifteen minutes prayerfully meditating on these 9 Most Powerful Psalms for People Who Struggle with Anxiety. As you prayerfully and slowly read them over, taking in all the rich blessings and healing they behold, allow God’s voice to speak to and uplift you. His Word has the capability of not only healing your heart, but transforming your life. Remember: as you drawn near to Him, He will draw near to you.
9 Most Powerful Psalms for People Who Struggle with Anxiety
Psalm 91:1-4
Psalm 91 is the most powerful psalm for protection. It offers so much comfort in fact that some call it the miracle psalm. The psalm in particular encourages to find our rest in Christ. It reminds us that when we abide or dwell “in the shelter of the Most High,” we will rest in His impenetrable shadow. What does He give us rest from? Amongst other things, our worries, fears and from all anxiety. If you need His divine protection today, pray these words slowly and prayerfully:
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shade of the Almighty,
Say to the Lord, “My refuge and fortress,
my God in whom I trust.”
He will rescue you from the fowler’s snare,
from the destroying plague,
He will shelter you with His pinions,
and under His wings you may take refuge;
His faithfulness is a protecting shield.
Psalm 23:1-6
This passage has become famous throughout the world. Because of that, people often overlook its profound truth by reciting the words – words they have heard so many times before – from memory rather than from the heart. In so doing, the divine comfort these words bring to the soul are often lost. If you need God to fill you with a peace that transcends understanding, pray this passage slowly and prayerfully:
The Lord is my Shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures He makes me lie down;
to still waters He leads me;
He restores my soul.
He guides me along right paths
for the sake of His Name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff comfort me.
You set a table before me
in front of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me
all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the Lord
for endless days.
Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14
For many, this psalm passage has become a “life verse.” In our western culture especially, it is easy to fall into the trap that we need to please everyone and that we must care what everyone thinks which so often leads to increased anxiety. The remedy? We must preach the Gospel to ourselves, reminding our hearts that in Christ we are enough; that the Lord alone is our light and our salvation in this world — the way, the Truth and the life. If you need God to release you from your anxiety, pray these words slowly and prayerfully:
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The Lord is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
When evildoers come at me
to devour my flesh,
These my enemies and foes
themselves stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart does not fear;
Though war be waged against me,
even then do I trust.
I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord, take courage;
be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!
Psalm 34:1-10
This Psalm is powerful for the brokenhearted and fearful. God loves the brokenhearted, and He knows also that in this world we will be fearful at times; but He exhorts us to continue to look to Him and to trust Him. If this is how you are feeling today, fearful and brokenhearted, pray these words with conviction slowly and prayerfully:
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall be always in my mouth.
My soul will glory in the Lord;
let the poor hear and be glad.
Magnify the Lord with me;
and let us exalt His Name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me,
delivered me from all my fears.
Look to Him and be radiant,
and your faces may not blush for shame.
This poor one cried out and the Lord heard,
and from all his distress He saved him.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear Him, and He saves them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in Him.
Fear the Lord, you His holy ones;
nothing is lacking to those who fear Him.
Psalm 61:1-5
It can be therapeutic to read the words of King David, a biblical hero, who struggled just like we do. This is one of the reasons the Psalms is a favorite for people who are struggling in any area of life — they are so relatable! Psalm 61 specifically speaks to those feeling “overwhelmed” in life and by life. If this is you, if you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed right now, pray these words slowly and prayerfully:
Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer!
From the ends of the earth I call;
my heart grows faint.
Raise me up, set me on a rock,
for You are my refuge,
a tower of strength against the foe.
Let me dwell in Your tent forever,
take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.
Psalm 51:3, 11-17
If you are feeling desperate for the Lord’s grace and mercy, have full trust that His ears are open to our cries for help. When you cry to Him, He will draw you to Himself, honoring you for your faith, because He desires nothing more than for your heart to be right with Him. If you are in need of an increase of hope and reassurance, pray these words slowly and prayerfully to Him:
Have mercy on me, God, in accord with Your merciful love;
in Your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.
Turn away Your face from my sins;
blot out all my iniquities.
A clean heart create for me, God;
renew within me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from before Your face,
nor take from me Your holy spirit.
Restore to me the gladness of Your salvation;
uphold me with a willing spirit.
I will teach the wicked Your ways,
that sinners may return to You.
Rescue me from violent bloodshed, God, my saving God,
and my tongue will sing joyfully of Your justice.
Lord, You will open my lips;
and my mouth will proclaim Your praise.
Psalm 121:1-8
This Psalm serves as a hope-filled reminder that we can fully depend on God for His help and that He is constantly watching over us, protecting our coming and going. If you need to be reminded of God’s provision, pray these words slowly and prayerfully:
I raise my eyes toward the mountains.
From whence shall come my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of Heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
or your guardian to sleep.
Behold, the guardian of Israel
never slumbers nor sleeps.
The Lord is your guardian;
the Lord is your shade
at your right hand.
By day the sun will not strike you,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will guard you from all evil;
He will guard your soul.
The Lord will guard your coming and going
both now and forever.
Psalm 46:2-11
No matter what we go through in life, God holds the final victory and we can trust in that incredible promise. No matter what is happening around us, in the world at large or in our own private lives, we can trust God’s promise to us. With that in mind, this Psalm calls us to be free from all fear and to seek after a secure confidence in God who alone is able to save. If you are in need of this reassurance today, pray these words slowly and prayerfully:
God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken
and mountains quake to the depths of the sea,
Though its waters rage and foam
and mountains totter at its surging.
Streams of the river gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be shaken;
God will help it at break of day.
Though nations rage and kingdoms totter,
He utters His voice and the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
Selah
Come and see the works of the Lord,
who has done fearsome deeds on earth;
Who stops wars to the ends of the earth,
breaks the bow, splinters the spear,
and burns the shields with fire;
“Be still and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
exalted on the earth.”
Psalm 103:1-22
There is great power in choosing to set your mind and heart on Christ. There is also great power in offering Him constant praise for who He is and for all the ways He is at work in your life. The Lord forgives us our sins through sincere repentance, heals our diseases, redeems us from the pit of hell. He crowns us with His love and mercy, satisfies us here below with good things, renews our souls and replenishes our spirit. Not only that, but our Lord is compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love for us. Remembering the characteristics of the great God we serve is important for building and retaining our trust in and love for Him. If you want to be reminded of how good He is, pray these words slowly and prayerfully:
Bless the Lord, my soul;
all my being, bless His holy Name!
Bless the Lord, my soul;
and do not forget all His gifts,
Who pardons all your sins,
and heals all your ills,
Who redeems your life from the pit,
and crowns you with mercy and compassion,
Who fills your days with good things,
so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord does righteous deeds,
brings justice to all the oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
to the Israelites his deeds.
Merciful and gracious is the Lord,
slow to anger, abounding in mercy.
He will not always accuse,
and nurses no lasting anger;
He has not dealt with us as our sins merit,
nor requited us as our wrongs deserve.
For as the Heavens tower over the earth,
so His mercy towers over those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our sins from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He knows how we are formed,
remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like the grass;
he blossoms like a flower in the field.
A wind sweeps over it and it is gone;
its place knows it no more.
But the Lord’s mercy is from age to age,
toward those who fear Him.
His salvation is for the children’s children
of those who keep His covenant,
and remember to carry out His precepts.
The Lord has set His Throne in Heaven;
His dominion extends over all.
Bless the Lord, all you His angels,
mighty in strength, acting at His behest,
obedient to His command.
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
His ministers who carry out His will.
Bless the Lord, all His creatures,
everywhere in His domain.
Bless the Lord, my soul!
Additional Meditation
When stress and anxiety is at its greatest threat, in combination with meditating upon these powerful psalms herein, repeat the below verse from Paul’s epistle to the Philippians out loud. Speak it from the heart and believe it. Then repeat to the Lord, “Lord, Jesus, I trust in You …”. When we abide in Christ in this way, with unwavering confidence in His Word, the divine peace that transcends all understanding will begin to guard our hearts and minds in the Father of all peace, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You, Jesus!
Philippians 4:4-6
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
[Repeat that prayer and then ask God for your intentions]
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