Praying the Psalms

The Psalms are often associated with David’s life, and for some, they represent his songs, prayers, or even his “personal journal,” providing context to Israel’s story through his experiences. However, when we study the New Testament, we see that the book of Psalms is the most frequently referenced book of the Old Testament. Why? Because its truth extends far beyond David’s life and immediate context.

A psalm is a poem set to music. The Book of Psalms (Lk 20:41-43; Ac 1:20) is a collection of psalms meant to be sung and prayed. It is structured with an introduction (Psalms 1–2), five distinct books (3–41, 42–72, 73–89, 90–106, 107–145), and a conclusion (146–150). Each book ends with a doxology, marked by a similar phrase (41:13-14; 72:18-19; 89:52-53; 106:48).

The Psalter was written by multiple authors over a span of approximately 1,000 years, from the time of Moses to the post-exilic era. Seven authors are specifically named, while many psalms remain anonymous. David officially wrote 73 psalms, though some suggest he may have written up to 79. He also commanded that the Ark of the Covenant be placed in the tabernacle, appointing full-time singers and musicians to serve the Lord (1 Chr 16:4, 37; 23:5; 25:6-7). Within this context, David discipled a nation, influencing the authors of 31 additional psalms. For this reason, the Book of Psalms is sometimes referred to as “David” or “the Book of David” (Heb 4:7). Under his discipleship, more than one hundred psalms were written.

The Psalms have some of the most amazing verses in the Bible. Here are some you might recognize:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." (Ps 23:1–2)

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth." (Ps 121:1–2)

"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?" (Ps 27:1)

Out of the 150 chapters in the Book of Psalms, chapter 110 is the most frequently referenced in the New Testament. “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” (Ps 110:1). Even Jesus Himself quotes this passage in Matthew 22:41-45, as well as in its parallel accounts in Luke 20 and Mark 12. Psalm 110 reveals the central theme of the Book of Psalms: the Messiah (the King) is of the same essence as God—He is both God and Christ, the Savior of all.

“The book of Psalms as a whole… has a plot structure and a central theme, which are focused on the prophetic hope of the coming Messiah.” This book aligns with the prophets in foretelling the arrival of the greater Adam and the greater David. It is deeply connected to who Jesus is—He prayed the Psalms and even quoted them with His last breath (Ps 22). Dietrich Bonhoeffer highlights the connection between the messianic and christocentric message of the Psalms and their ultimate author, Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, He speaks, sings, and composes these poems for the people of Israel.

“David was a witness to Christ in his kingly office, in his life, and in his words. And the New Testament says even more. In the Psalms of David it is precisely the promised Christ who already speaks (Heb. 2:12; 10:5) or, as is sometimes said, the Holy Spirit (Heb. 3:7). The same words that David spoke, therefore, the future Messiah spoke in him. Christ prayed along with the prayers of David or, more accurately, it is none other than Christ who prayed them in Christ’s own forerunner, David.”

This may be why Bonhoeffer refers to the Psalms as the prayer book of the Bible—prayers that come straight from the heart of God, yet resonate deeply with us as humans in every circumstance. The Psalms guide us when we have words to pray and sustain us even when we do not. As Bonhoeffer puts it, “It is not the poverty of our heart, but the richness of God’s word that ought to determine our prayer.”

This is an invitation to pray the Bible, especially the Psalms—to pray the words of the Lord, both for what we understand and for what we do not. As we repeat His Word back to Him, we begin to pray according to His will. It is an act of embracing Jesus Christ’s prayer as our own, taking ownership of what the Lord is saying, and partnering with Him in agreement.

“The Psalms are God’s way of enabling people to speak in the language of Jesus who invites people to enter into these prayers and thus enter into a relationship with God that is akin to his own union with the Father.”

How to pray the Psalms:

According to church tradition, the Psalms have been prayed daily for thousands of years. Make it a habit to read, pray, and meditate on the Psalms each day.

By praying through five chapters daily, you can complete the entire Book of Psalms in a month. Alternatively, by praying one chapter per day, you can journey through the Psalms over five months—an investment of just a few minutes each day.

1. Read a chapter.

Psalms 23

2. Choose a passage.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.” (Ps 23:1-3)

3. Isolate the phrases.

“The Lord is my shepherd…”

4. Read the phrase out loud.

5. Pray the phrase.

Lord, you are my shepherd. Guide me according to your will. Feed me, instruct me, and take care of me. Protect me against evil, give me strength to defeat temptation. I want to trust you more every day. Thank you for what you’ve done until now, you have guided me and you have faithfully provided. Today I can say, I lack nothing for you have given me yourself. There is nothing better. There is nothing higher. I pray for an increase of trust in your leadership which provides unimaginable peace in which my heart, my soul, and my mind can say: “I am still because you are my God.”

---

References:

All scripture references are from the New King James Version, unless noted otherwise.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together and Prayerbook of the Bible, ed. Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Albrecht Schönherr, and Geffrey B. Kelly, trans. Daniel W. Bloesch and James H. Burtness, vol. 5, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1996)

Geffrey B. Kelly, “Editor’s Introduction to the English Edition,” in Life Together and Prayerbook of the Bible, ed. Gerhard Ludwig Müller and Albrecht Schönherr, trans. Daniel W. Bloesch and James H. Burtness, vol. 5, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1996) John Sailhammer, Biblical Prophecy. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Pub. House, 1998, (63)