Key verses by book
Key Verses in Psalms
Important passages from Psalms, each shown in full in your chosen Bible version with its setting and meaning.
1Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; 2but his delight is in the LORD’s law. On his law he meditates day and night. 3He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper. 4The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish. The way of the righteous
The first psalm contrasts the person who delights in the LORD's law, like a fruitful tree, with the wicked, who are like chaff. It introduces the whole book of Psalms.
3When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, 4what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him? What is man, that you think of him?
Looking at the night sky, David marvels that the Creator cares for human beings and has crowned them with glory. Hebrews 2:6-9 applies the psalm to Jesus.
The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. The heavens declare the glory of God
Psalm 19 moves from creation, which speaks of God without words, to the law of the LORD, which revives the soul (19:7).
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my rock, and my redeemer. Let the words of my mouth be acceptable
The closing prayer of Psalm 19 asks that both speech and inner thoughts please the LORD, "my rock and my redeemer".
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4Even 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, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. 6Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the LORD’s house forever. The LORD is my shepherd
A psalm of David picturing the LORD as shepherd and generous host. It moves from green pastures, through the valley of the shadow of death, to dwelling in the LORD's…
The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? The LORD is my light and my salvation
The opening of a psalm that moves from confidence to urgent prayer and ends, "Wait for the LORD" (27:14).
I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to you
David describes the weight of hiding his sin and the relief of confessing it to God and being forgiven.
Oh taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Taste and see that the LORD is good
From a psalm headed with David's escape at Gath. He invites others to experience God's goodness for themselves; 1 Peter 2:3 echoes it.
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Near to the broken-hearted
The LORD is near those whose hearts are broken. The psalm admits that "many are the afflictions of the righteous" (34:19) and promises God's deliverance in them, not freedom from…
4Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the LORD. Trust also in him, and he will do this: Delight yourself in the LORD
In a wisdom psalm about not envying the wicked, David urges trust and patience. Delighting in the LORD shapes what a person desires.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. God is our refuge and strength
A song of confidence in God's protection when the earth shakes and the nations rage. It is traditionally linked with Jerusalem's deliverance, though the psalm names no event.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted on the earth.” Be still, and know that I am God
God speaks near the end of a psalm about war and the nations: "Be still" calls the nations and his people to stop striving and recognise his rule, for "I…
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart
David's prayer of confession, headed with Nathan's visit after his sin with Bathsheba. He asks God not only to forgive him but to renew him from within.
Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved. Cast your burden on the LORD
From a psalm of David about betrayal by a close friend. He urges handing burdens to the LORD, who sustains the righteous; 1 Peter 5:7 echoes it.
1My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him. 2He alone is my rock, my salvation, and my fortress. I will never be greatly shaken. My soul rests in God alone
David waits quietly for God, his rock and salvation, while enemies attack him.
So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Teach us to number our days
From the prayer of Moses that contrasts God's eternity with human brevity. Counting our days is a prayer for a heart of wisdom.
1He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” In the shelter of the Most High
A psalm of trust in God's protection. Satan quotes verses 11-12 to Jesus in the wilderness, and Jesus refuses to put God to the test (Matthew 4:6-7).
2Praise the LORD, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits, 3who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, 5who satisfies your desire with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Forget not all his benefits
David calls himself to praise God for forgiveness, healing, redemption, steadfast love and renewal.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As far as the east is from the west
Part of Psalm 103's praise of God's compassion: he removes his people's transgressions completely and does not deal with them as their sins deserve.
This is the day that the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it! This is the day the LORD has made
From the last of the Hallel psalms, celebrating the rejected stone that has become the cornerstone (118:22). "This day" is the day of the LORD's saving act.
9How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10With my whole heart I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments. 11I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I have hidden your word in my heart
From the long psalm about God's word. A young person keeps their way pure by living by God's word and treasuring it in the heart.
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path. Your word is a lamp to my feet
Every verse of Psalm 119 celebrates God's word. Here it is a lamp for the next step and a light for the path.
1I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? 2My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. My help comes from the LORD
A song of ascents sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. Their help comes not from the hills but from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! How good it is to live together in unity
A short song of ascents by David celebrating the goodness of unity among God's people.
13For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. Fearfully and wonderfully made
David marvels that God knows him completely and formed him in the womb. The psalm ends by asking God to search his heart (139:23-24).
23Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. 24See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. Search me, God, and know my heart
The closing prayer of Psalm 139: David invites God, who already knows him completely, to test him and lead him in the everlasting way.
The LORD is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. The LORD is near to all who call on him
From David's psalm of praise: the LORD is near to all who call on him in truth.
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