The 40 Most Popular Psalms in the World
The Number 40 has significant value in the Bible. It usually signifies a time of testing, trial or probation. When Jesus was tempted in the Bible for forty days and forty nights by the devil, for example (Matt 4:1-11). After His resurrection and before His ascension, Jesus was on earth for forty days to establish the Church (Acts 1:3). After being freed from slavery, the Israelites spent 40 years wandering the desert before entering the Promised Land (Joshua 4:6). When Moses received the Ten commandments from the Lord, he fasted forty days and forty nights on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 34:28). The prophet Elijah fasted forty days and forty nights for strength to obey the Lord’s instruction (1 Kings 19:8). The rain that contributed to the flood of Noah’s day lasted forty days and nights in order to return the earth to its pre-creation state (Genesis 7:12). Are you starting to see the significance? The number 40 is hugely important in the Bible and to us.
Not only is the number 40 important, it is incredibly powerful. In lieu of this significance, here are The 40 Most Popular Psalms in the World. Use these psalms to pray, and for daily inspiration and encouragement. Read them over, one by one, slowly, allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you through them. While in prayer, pay close attention to which ones speak to your heart the most and spend extra time with them.
40 Most Popular Psalms
| Psalm 1:1-3 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. |
| Psalm 9:1-4 1 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. 3 My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. 4 For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge. |
| Psalm 9:9-10 9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. |
| Psalm 16:7-8 7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. |
| Psalm 18:2-3 2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. |
| Psalm 18:30 30 As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. |
| Psalm 19:7-9 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. |
| Psalm 20:4 4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. |
| Psalm 22:27-28 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. |
| Psalm 23:1-4 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. |
| Psalm 27:1 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? |
| Psalm 27:5 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. |
| Psalm 27:14 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. |
| Psalm 30:1-2 1 I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 2 Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. |
| Psalm 32:7-8 7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. |
| Psalm 34:17-18 17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. |
| Psalm 37:4 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. |
| Psalm 40:1 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. |
| Psalm 46:1 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. |
| Psalm 46:10 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” |
| Psalm 51:10-12 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. |
| Psalm 55:22 22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. |
| Psalm 56:4 4 In God, Whose Word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? |
| Psalm 57:2-3 2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. 3 He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me— God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. |
| Psalm 62:1-2 1 Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. 2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. |
| Psalm 67:1-2 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us— 2 so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. |
| Psalm 84:12 12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you. |
| Psalm 86:5 5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. |
| Psalm 91:1-2 1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” |
| Psalm 91:14-16 14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” |
| Psalm 107:19-21 19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 20 He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. 21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. |
| Psalm 117:1-2 1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. 2 For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. |
| Psalm 119:1-5 1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— 3 they do no wrong but follow his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! |
| Psalm 121:1-3 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; |
| Psalm 121:7-8 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. |
| Psalm 127:1 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. |
| Psalm 136:1 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. |
| Psalm 138:7-8 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. 8 The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands. |
| Psalm 139:1-6 1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. |
| Psalm 139:13-14 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. |
Are these in any particular order?