The Book of Psalms is thought to be the most widely read book of the Bible. This is primarily because the individual psalms articulate so many feelings that no matter what is happening in a person’s life, there is a psalm that states the reader’s feelings succinctly. Many people — Christians and non-Christians alike — find it comforting to know that someone else has had the same feelings as they have; that another person has perhaps experienced a similar situation – and survived to write about it.
Of the 150 psalms, the longest — at 176 verses — is the poetic Psalm 119. Finding the right reading at the right time for what a person is feeling can be difficult, so a guide to the content of the psalms can be helpful! Scriptures were categorized based on the words in the New Living Translation. Many of the psalms include more than one main topic, so some may be listed more than once. The following general categories and sub-categories may be helpful.
Some of the Psalms Request God’s Help for a Specific Need
The Bible teaches believers to ask God for what they need. The writers of the psalms did not hesitate to petition God, sometimes repeatedly, to get what they had to have.
- Blessing (72, 115, 126, 128)
- Confidence (27, 56, 57, 108, 121, 138)
- Confirmation (26, 37, 110, 139
- Encouragement (18)
- Forgiveness (32, 36, 38, 51, 79, 88)
- Healing (41)
- Help (20, 64, 86, 130, 141)
- Humility (8, 131)
- Mercy (28, 39, 123)
- Refuge (61, 62, 91, 142)
- Rescue (40, 43, 44, 54, 59, 69, 70, 71, 120, 144)
- Restoration (60, 81, 90, 102)
- Salvation (62, 80, 85)
- Security (125)
- Vengeance (79, 83, 109, 137)
Bible Psalms About a Particular Topic
Although the psalms were actually songs, sung in religious services, they were about a variety of topics that were not particularly religious. Songs that shared lengthy histories were designed to remind the people what had happened because very few of them had access to historical records and even with access, few could actually read them. Songs were often used to emphasize good behavior by contrasting images of bad behavior.
- Covenant (74, 111)
- Generosity (112)
- Goals (101)
- God is in control (2, 46, 65, 114, 127)
- Contrast of believers and sinners (1, 15, 50)
- Harmony (133)
- History (78, 105, 106, 107, 135, 136)
- Holiness of God (99)
- Instructional (34, 49)
- Jerusalem (120 - 134) These fifteen psalms celebrate the return of the captives to Jerusalem.
- Judgment (52, 53, 76, 82)
- Justice (58, 75, 94)
- Keeping vows (66, 132)
- Love of God’s Law (119)
- Nature of good and evil (36)
- Prophecy concerning Jesus (16, 22, 18, 96)
- Thanksgiving (30, 100, 118, 124, 136)
Strong Emotions are in the Psalms
The psalmists were writers who were able to express the emotions they felt. When they hurt, they screamed about it. When they were joyful they encouraged everyone to sing along with them. Although there are numerous other topics in the Book of Psalms, these examples stand out.
- Awe (19, 68, 92)
- Betrayed by friends (55)
- Contentment (23)
- Depression (42, 43, 73, 137, 142, 143)
- Guilt (6, 13)
- Love for the King, Love for God (45, 63, 77)
How to Read These Powerful Psalms
Reading the Book of Psalms should be a leisurely experience. Readers are encouraged to slow down and pay close attention to the rich wordings, the relationship the writers had with God, and the variety of images used to convey strong emotions. These were not words written by politically correct politicians but by people who weren’t afraid to be honest with themselves, each other and with their conception of God.
For an overview of this Biblical book, see The Psalms – General Introduction to the Book.
Mistie Shaw - Writing for nearly half a century, Shaw's interests and education meander from music to the military, and from faith to fun.
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