Volume 1
Books
Every book of the Bible, catalogued the same clear way.
Open volume →66 entriesVolume 2Bible Stories
The great narrative stories of the Bible, from Creation to the new creation.
Open volume →93 entriesVolume 3Parables
The teaching stories of Jesus.
Open volume →38 entriesVolume 4You are here
Psalms
The prayer and poetry of the Bible.
111 entriesThe Field Guide Series · Volume 4
Field Guide to the Psalms
The prayer and poetry of the Bible.
Filter
01
Psalms of Trust
18 entriesNo. 1Essential
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, and I lack nothing
TrustComfortGod's Presence
No. 18Essential
Psalm 11
When the foundations shake, and the advice is to run
RefugeCourageGod's Justice
No. 19Essential
Psalm 16
You are my portion, and the path of life leads to fullness of joy
TrustContentmentJoy
No. 5Essential
Psalm 27
Whom shall I fear, when the LORD is my light?
TrustCourageGod's Presence
No. 20Essential
Psalm 62
For God alone my soul waits in silence
TrustStillnessSecurity
No. 8Essential
Psalm 63
A thirst for God in a dry and weary land
LongingTrustSatisfaction
No. 21Essential
Psalm 84
Better one day in Your courts, and strength that grows on the way
LongingPilgrimageGod's Presence
No. 9Essential
Psalm 90
Teach us to number our days, a prayer about time and the God outside it
MortalityEternityWisdom
No. 10Essential
Psalm 91
The shelter of the Most High, and what its promises do and do not mean
RefugeProtectionTrust
No. 22Essential
Psalm 115
Not to us, but to Your name give glory
Glory to GodTrustIdolatry
No. 13Essential
Psalm 121
I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?
TrustProtectionJourney
No. 23Essential
Psalm 125
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people
SecurityTrustProtection
No. 24Essential
Psalm 127
Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain
RestDependenceFamily
No. 25Essential
Psalm 128
Blessing on the ordinary life of one who fears the LORD
BlessingFamilyEveryday Faithfulness
No. 26Essential
Psalm 129
Afflicted from my youth, yet they have not prevailed
EnduranceSurvivalGod's Justice
No. 27Essential
Psalm 131
A quieted soul, like a weaned child with its mother
HumilityContentmentRest
No. 28Essential
Psalm 133
How good it is when brothers dwell together in unity
UnityBlessingCommunity
No. 15Essential
Psalm 139
Searched, known, and formed, with a hard turn most readings skip
God's KnowledgePresenceSelf-Examination
02
Psalms of Wisdom
18 entriesNo. 2Essential
Psalm 1
Two ways to live, and where each one leads
WisdomThe Two WaysBlessing
No. 66Essential
Psalm 14
The fool says in his heart there is no God, and the problem is wider than atheism
FollyHuman NatureHope
No. 67Essential
Psalm 15
Who may dwell with God? A list with no religious activity on it
IntegrityCharacterWorship
No. 68Essential
Psalm 36
Two portraits side by side: the flattering heart and the fountain of life
ContrastSteadfast LoveLight
No. 69Essential
Psalm 37
Do not fret over evildoers; a long psalm about waiting
PatienceTrustEnvy
No. 70Essential
Psalm 49
No one can pay the ransom, and no one takes it with them
MortalityWealthRedemption
No. 71Essential
Psalm 50
God does not need your sacrifices; He wants your thanks and your honesty
WorshipSincerityJudgment
No. 72Essential
Psalm 52
Why boast of evil? A green olive tree against an uprooted man
BoastingTrustContrast
No. 73Essential
Psalm 53
The same verdict as Psalm 14, sharpened for a different setting
FollyHuman NatureRestoration
No. 74Essential
Psalm 73
My feet had almost slipped, until I went into the sanctuary
EnvyDoubtNearness
No. 75Essential
Psalm 78
Tell the next generation, including the parts we got wrong
MemoryGenerationsFaithfulness
No. 76Essential
Psalm 81
Open your mouth wide and I will fill it; a festival psalm that turns into a lament from God
ListeningProvisionRegret
No. 77Essential
Psalm 82
God stands in the assembly and asks how long injustice will continue
JusticeAuthorityAccountability
No. 78Essential
Psalm 112
Light in the darkness for the generous, and a heart not afraid of bad news
GenerositySteadfastnessBlessing
No. 79aEssential
Psalm 119: The Word as Delight
Aleph through He, verses 1-40: hiding the word in the heart
DelightObediencePurity
No. 79bEssential
Psalm 119: The Word in Affliction
Waw through Kaph, verses 41-88: it was good for me to be afflicted
AfflictionComfortEndurance
No. 79cEssential
Psalm 119: The Word as Light
Lamedh through Ayin, verses 89-128: a lamp to my feet
GuidanceTruthWisdom
No. 79dEssential
Psalm 119: The Word to the End
Pe through Taw, verses 129-176: I have gone astray like a lost sheep
PerseveranceLongingHumility
03
Psalms of Kingship & Zion
20 entriesNo. 80Essential
Psalm 2
The nations rage, and the One enthroned laughs
God's ReignThe AnointedRefuge
No. 81Essential
Psalm 20
Some trust in chariots, but we trust in the name of the LORD
TrustPrayerBattle
No. 82Essential
Psalm 21
The king rejoices, because he asked and was given more than he asked
ThanksgivingKingshipTrust
No. 83Essential
Psalm 24
The earth is the LORD's, and who may stand in His holy place?
God's OwnershipPurityGlory
No. 84Essential
Psalm 45
A royal wedding song, and a throne addressed as God's
KingshipCelebrationBeauty
No. 6Essential
Psalm 46
God is our refuge, so we will not fear though the earth gives way
RefugeStillnessGod's Reign
No. 85Essential
Psalm 47
Clap your hands, all you nations, for God is King of all the earth
God's ReignJoyThe Nations
No. 86Essential
Psalm 48
Walk around Zion and count her towers, so you can tell the next generation
ZionSecurityMemory
No. 87Essential
Psalm 72
What a king is for: rain on mown grass and rescue for those with no helper
JusticeLeadershipThe Poor
No. 88Essential
Psalm 76
He breaks the weapons of war, and rises to save the afflicted
God's PowerPeaceJustice
No. 89Essential
Psalm 87
This one was born there: enemies registered as citizens of Zion
BelongingThe NationsGrace
No. 90Essential
Psalm 101
A ruler's own standards, starting inside his house
IntegrityLeadershipAccountability
No. 91Essential
Psalm 105
The same history told as God's faithfulness
CovenantFaithfulnessHistory
No. 92Essential
Psalm 106
The same history told as our failure, and He remembered His covenant anyway
ConfessionMercyHistory
No. 93Essential
Psalm 108
My heart is steadfast; I will awake the dawn
ConfidencePraiseHelp
No. 94Essential
Psalm 110
Sit at my right hand: a king who is also a priest forever
KingshipPriesthoodAuthority
No. 95Essential
Psalm 122
I was glad when they said, let us go to the house of the LORD
WorshipPeaceCommunity
No. 96Essential
Psalm 132
David's vow to find God a place, and God's larger vow in return
CovenantDevotionPromise
No. 98Essential
Psalm 137
By the rivers of Babylon, and the hardest verse in the Psalter
ExileGriefRage
No. 97Essential
Psalm 144
What is man, that You care for him? A warrior's question mid-battle
DependenceDeliveranceBlessing
04
Psalms of Lament
10 entriesNo. 99Essential
Psalm 3
Many say there is no help for him, and then he sleeps
TrustFearRest
No. 100Essential
Psalm 4
You have put more gladness in my heart than a good harvest
PeaceTrustContentment
No. 101Essential
Psalm 5
In the morning I lay my requests before You and watch expectantly
PrayerMorningIntegrity
No. 102Essential
Psalm 6
Every night I flood my bed with tears, and how long, LORD?
GriefExhaustionMercy
No. 103Essential
Psalm 7
If I have done this, let the enemy overtake me
JusticeIntegrityVindication
No. 104Essential
Psalm 10
Why do You stand far off? A psalm about God seeming absent
InjusticeGod's AbsenceThe Oppressed
No. 105Essential
Psalm 12
When words have gone bad, God's words are silver refined seven times
TruthSpeechProtection
No. 106Essential
Psalm 13
How long? Four times in two verses, and then a decision
WaitingDoubtTrust
No. 107Essential
Psalm 17
Keep me as the apple of Your eye, hide me under the shadow of Your wings
ProtectionIntegrityNearness
No. 108Essential
Psalm 22
My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?
AbandonmentSufferingDeliverance
05
Psalms of Praise
29 entriesNo. 3Essential
Psalm 8
How can the God of the stars be mindful of us?
PraiseWonderHuman Dignity
No. 4Essential
Psalm 19
The skies speak, and so does the law of the LORD
PraiseCreationGod's Word
No. 42Essential
Psalm 29
The voice of the LORD over the storm, and peace at the end of it
PraiseGod's PowerPeace
No. 43Essential
Psalm 33
He spoke, and it was; the God whose plans outlast every army
PraiseCreationGod's Counsel
No. 44Essential
Psalm 65
You crown the year with Your bounty
PraiseHarvestForgiveness
No. 45Essential
Psalm 66
Come and see what God has done, including the testing
PraiseTestimonyTesting
No. 46Essential
Psalm 68
A father to the fatherless, and God who leads the prisoners out
PraiseDeliveranceGod's Care
No. 47Essential
Psalm 93
The LORD reigns, and the floods do not have the last word
God's ReignStabilityMajesty
No. 48Essential
Psalm 95
Come, let us worship, and today, do not harden your hearts
WorshipWarningToday
No. 49Essential
Psalm 96
Sing a new song, and tell the nations the LORD reigns
PraiseMissionGod's Reign
No. 50Essential
Psalm 97
Clouds and darkness around Him, righteousness beneath His throne
God's ReignRighteousnessLight
No. 51Essential
Psalm 98
Let the rivers clap their hands, for He comes to set things right
PraiseSalvationJoy
No. 52Essential
Psalm 99
Holy, holy, holy, and a God who answered and forgave
HolinessGod's ReignForgiveness
No. 11Essential
Psalm 100
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, an invitation the whole earth is given
PraiseThanksgivingJoy
No. 12Essential
Psalm 103
Bless the LORD, and do not forget all His benefits
PraiseMercyCompassion
No. 53Essential
Psalm 104
How many are Your works; the earth is full of what You made
CreationPraiseProvision
No. 54Essential
Psalm 111
The works of the LORD are studied by all who delight in them
PraiseWisdomFaithfulness
No. 55Essential
Psalm 113
Who is like the LORD, who stoops to lift the poor from the dust
PraiseGod's CareReversal
No. 56Essential
Psalm 114
The sea looked and ran; why did the mountains skip like rams?
ExodusGod's PowerWonder
No. 57Essential
Psalm 117
The shortest psalm, with the widest invitation
PraiseThe NationsFaithfulness
No. 58Essential
Psalm 134
A word for those who keep watch through the night
PraiseNightBlessing
No. 59Essential
Psalm 135
The LORD does whatever pleases Him; the idols do nothing at all
PraiseSovereigntyIdolatry
No. 60Essential
Psalm 136
Twenty-six verses, one refrain: His steadfast love endures forever
Steadfast LovePraiseHistory
No. 61Essential
Psalm 145
Every generation tells the next, and God is good to all He has made
PraiseGoodnessGenerations
No. 62Essential
Psalm 146
Do not trust in princes; happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob
TrustJusticePraise
No. 63Essential
Psalm 147
He counts the stars and binds up wounds, and He does both
PraiseHealingProvidence
No. 64Essential
Psalm 148
Everything from angels to sea creatures, called by name to praise
PraiseCreationUniversality
No. 65Essential
Psalm 149
A new song, a dance, and a hard ending about swords
PraiseJoyJustice
No. 16Essential
Psalm 150
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD
PraiseJoyDoxology
06
Psalms of Thanksgiving
13 entriesNo. 29Essential
Psalm 9
Thanks to the God who judges rightly and does not forget the afflicted
ThanksgivingJusticeRefuge
No. 30Essential
Psalm 18
He reached down from on high and drew me out of deep waters
DeliveranceThanksgivingStrength
No. 31Essential
Psalm 30
Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning
ThanksgivingHealingJoy
No. 32Essential
Psalm 34
Taste and see that the LORD is good
ThanksgivingDeliveranceNearness
No. 33Essential
Psalm 40
He drew me up from the pit and set my feet on a rock
RescueThanksgivingObedience
No. 34Essential
Psalm 67
Bless us, so that Your way may be known among all nations
BlessingMissionHarvest
No. 35Essential
Psalm 75
It is God who judges, putting down one and lifting up another
ThanksgivingJusticeHumility
No. 36Essential
Psalm 92
A song for the Sabbath, and still bearing fruit in old age
ThanksgivingSabbathFlourishing
No. 37Essential
Psalm 107
Four kinds of trouble, one refrain: then they cried out, and He delivered them
ThanksgivingDeliveranceRedemption
No. 38Essential
Psalm 116
I love the LORD, because He heard my voice
LoveThanksgivingRescue
No. 39Essential
Psalm 118
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone
ThanksgivingDeliveranceReversal
No. 40Essential
Psalm 124
If the LORD had not been on our side
DeliveranceGratitudeEscape
No. 41Essential
Psalm 138
Though the LORD is high, He looks after the lowly
ThanksgivingHumilityConfidence
07
Psalms of Repentance
3 entriesNo. 17Essential
Psalm 32
The relief of stopping the cover-up
ForgivenessConfessionRelief
No. 7Essential
Psalm 51
Create in me a clean heart, the prayer of a man with nowhere to hide
RepentanceMercyRestoration
No. 14Essential
Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry, and with You there is forgiveness
RepentanceHopeWaiting
Devotionals
Go deeper, day by day.
Alongside the guide, short devotionals you can walk through at your own pace: Scripture, a reading, questions, and a prayer.