In 2025, the Wardie Church Prayer Discovery Group completed an A to Z of Prayer. To help us deepen our prayer relationship with God this year, we’ve decided to read through the Psalms – around six psalms every fortnight throughout 2026.

In our Wednesday Prayer Discovery Group meetings in 2026 we’ll be discussing the Psalms and praying for the church and each other. If you’d like to join us, we’d love to see you! Meetings are on Wednesdays from 7.45pm. Ring at the Netherby Road door.

 

About the Psalms

The author of the Psalms was, primarily, David. There were at least seven other writers, though, including Moses, Solomon and the sons of Korah.

They are thought to have been written between 1,450BC and 430BC. However, most of them were written by King David, around 1,000BC.

The Psalms are a collection of poems and songs outlining the active lives of people writing them. They would have been the basic hymn book of the Jews in the world where Jesus grew up. Jesus grew up in “a psalm-shaped world”, according to Tom Wright in Finding God in the Psalms.

How do the Psalms apply to us and the world we live in today?

• Although he lived around 3,000 years ago, David faced similar challenges to us, with struggles between his human nature and his faith in God. The Psalms reflect our own issues and questions. Many show that God can take all of our emotions, no matter how strong they are.
• They give a clear outline of God and his character, and the security we can experience in having faith.
• They give signposts for how we can deepen in our own faith.
• They set out a challenge to apply our knowledge of God to our daily lives as Christians. They encourage us to reflect on our individual standing with God and the life choices that come from that.

Reading Psalms 1 to 6

Each fortnight, we’ll pick out a few verses from the psalms we’re reading. This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on how Psalm 1 encourages us to examine our individual walk with God and make a choice:

“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.”

Some questions you might want to consider:

1. How is the world we live in similar to the world of David’s day?
2. Where do you think you are in this world?
3. Do you feel fruitful?
4. How could you become more like the tree planted by streams of water?
5. What does this psalm tell you about the character of God?

Reading Psalms 7 to 12

This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on Psalm 8. In this psalm, David explains where his faith comes from by outlining different aspects of the character of God:

“Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth! …

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.”

Read the psalm and think about which characteristics you notice. We noticed that even though God is majestic, he cares for us. David knew the difference between his humanity – the way people saw him – and his value in the eyes of God, and this is what enabled him to pray with expectant faith that God would be true to his promises.

Read the rest of Psalms 7 to 12. What other characteristics of God do you notice, and how do they encourage you to approach God when you pray?

Reading Psalms 13 to 18

This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on Psalm 18. This is a psalm of thanks by David which he sang to the Lord when he was delivered from his enemies and from Saul.

When Dolly recently talked in church about the baptism of Jesus as related in Luke 3, she explored the importance of John and Jesus each understanding who they were in their very different identities and in their very different roles. Similarly, in this psalm David knows his true identity before God – he calls himself in the introduction to the psalm “the servant of the Lord”. In doing so he recognises God’s role as the victor – that God “rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me”. David is the king, but God is sovereign.

Read the psalm and think about the metaphors David uses to describe God and to celebrate his deliverance from his troubles. For example: “my rock, my fortress and my deliverer” and “refuge” (v. 2); “He brought me out into a spacious place” (vv 18–19); “You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way” (v. 36). Which metaphor appeals to you most? This week, why not try to hold this metaphor in your head to remind you of God’s support?

In verse 19, David says, “He rescued me because he delighted in me”. How does this make you feel about God’s view of you?

Reading Psalms 19 to 24

This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on Psalm 23.

Most people are familiar with Psalm 23. Its theme is David’s unwavering trust in God’s care and protection, and his provision. He compares God to a shepherd, a role that David had great experience in, having tended his father’s flocks as a young man. He understood the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep in his care, and in Psalm 23 he uses this knowledge to describe his own relationship with God.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures” (v. 2)

Having been a shepherd himself, David knew that sheep will generally only lie down if:

• they are not afraid
• there is no friction in the flock
• they do not have fleas/parasites
• they are not hungry.

The fact that the sheep in the psalm lie down is a sign that their shepherd looks after them, attending to their needs throughout their whole lives. Therefore the sheep trust their shepherd to lead them.

How does this make you feel? Do you have such trust in God’s protection and provision?

“Even 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.” (v. 4)

Everyone’s “shadow of death” is different, but we can be assured, as David was, that God understands and is there alongside us through all of life’s ups and downs. More than that, a shepherd’s rod and staff offer the sheep protection against predators and rescue if they wander off a safe path.

Considering your own life’s journey, how do you feel God has protected or rescued you at various times?

There’s much more to be discovered in this well-loved psalm. In church we have sung Stuart Townend’s version of “The Lord’s My Shepherd”, which you can find using the link below.

https://youtu.be/pN4tPkX0MG0?si=Wo93Nea6HbHuUEY6

Reading Psalms 25 to 30

This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on Psalm 27.

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (v. 13)

Last time we looked at Psalm 23, and the idea that God is with us through the ups and downs of our lives: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me”. Where does David’s confidence come from?

David’s faith was ‘battle-tested’ so his confidence was born from his experience in the goodness of God and from his proven understanding of God’s character.

In verse 3 of Psalm 27 David says: “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” That’s some confidence!

Where do you get your confidence from, especially when life is difficult?

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (v. 4)

This verse reflects what David knew – that the most important thing in his life was seeking God’s face. This was his priority even despite his being besieged on all sides, having been declared King of Israel, and all the other major happenings in his life. David had realised that what got him through was only God, so he sought God. And then as he spent time with God, he realised that he needed to spend more time with God.

Have you ever been hungry for God like this?

“Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path” (v. 11)

David did not ask for an easy life – and he didn’t get one either! But he trusted that God would provide him with a secure footing and direct him in the way he should go.

In the direction of your life, are you trusting God to lead you along the right path? Why not try using these words as your prayer today?

Reading Psalms 31 to 36

This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on Psalm 32.

Evangelist and preacher G. Campbell Morgan said of this psalm: “It is a psalm of penitence but it is also the song of a ransomed soul rejoicing in the wonders of the grace of God. Sin is dealt with; sorrow is comforted; ignorance is instructed.”

It’s interesting to note that this psalm has been twinned by scholars with Psalm 51, which was written after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

The psalm starts in a similar way to Psalm 1, with “Blessed is the one who …”, but then talks specifically about life where sin is forgiven through the grace of God.

In contemplating his own standing before God, David recognises certain truths that have become the crux of the Christian faith.

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (v. 5)

As Christians, we are forgiven because Jesus paid our ransom on the cross – our “sins are covered”, as it says in verse 1.

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” (v. 3)

David is honest about the effect that his unconfessed sin had on his life, which makes the contrast even greater between how he feels before and after he confesses. At the of the psalm, he says: “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous.”

Speaking about the twinned Psalm 51, Tyler Staton in the Lectio365 app for 13 March 2026 said:

“I find it interesting that David included the word ‘rejoice’ in the midst of a prayer of confession. Confession can bring relief, unburdening, even eventual freedom, but joy?”

Can you think of a time when you have felt particularly grateful for forgiveness, or when forgiveness has caused you to rejoice?

“Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him” (v. 10)

Tyler Staton says:

“I am challenged by David’s confidence in God’s forgiveness, by his trust that his becoming rests on God’s grace, rather than his own perfection.

“Surely this is the most universal lie: that spiritual maturity is needing God’s grace less and less. Surely this is the most relieving truth: that spiritual maturity is, in fact, trusting in God’s grace more and more.”

How does this resonate with your experience of God?

Reading Psalms 37 to 42

This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on Psalm 42.

The Sons of Korah were leaders of worship and doorkeepers in the temple, and it’s thought that they wrote this psalm.

“Streams of water” (v. 1)

People tend to recognise this psalm because of the striking image of the thirsty deer (verse 1). Just as striking is the contrast in this psalm between the streams of living water that the deer is panting for – the living God – and the brackish tears in verse 3 that have become the author’s food. The streams of water also contrast with the ‘waves and breakers’ that have overwhelmed the author (verse 7).

Psalm 42 has a lot of longing, despair and discouragement within it – but also some bright spots: “By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me” (verse 8). If we look at how the psalmist gets to those more positive thoughts, we could learn something about how we could do the same in our walk with God.

“My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you” (v. 6)

One way that the author addresses his feelings of sadness is to look back to better times – in verse 4 it talks about “how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng”.

What are the high points of your faith that you return to when you’re discouraged?

“I will yet praise him” (v. 5)

As with some of the other psalms, there’s a feeling that the speaker is instructing his own soul, and making a conscious decision, even against his feelings, to praise God:

“Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Saviour and my God.” (v. 5)

How do you seek God when you’re feeling discouraged? Is praise your first instinct?

Reading Psalms 43 to 48

This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on Psalm 46. During March 2026, along with many other people we used Psalm 46 to help us pray during the Global Week of Prayer for Peace called by 24-7 Prayer.

Psalm 46 was written at the time when the Sons of Korah and the Israelites were living in Jerusalem. The King of Assyria, intent on wiping out the Israelites and taking Jerusalem, marched on the city. The Lord reminded King Hezekiah, leader of the Israelites, of his past promises to defend and protect Israel: “I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant.” (2 Kings 19:34) That very night, the seemingly impossible happened: God delivered on his promise and the Assyrians, along with their King, retreated.

The psalm the Sons of Korah wrote in response to these events is short enough for us to include it below. Read it through two or three times and consider which words or phrases make an impression on you.

Psalm 46

“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷ The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸ Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
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.’

¹¹ The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” (vv. 1–2)

From these opening words, it is easy to see why this psalm is read during times of conflict, to provide assurance and comfort. God is always with us, no matter how dire the situation seems. Verse 6 says: “Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.” So we can put our current and future circumstances in God’s hands, trusting that everything is safe within his good, eternal purpose.

Can you think of a time when you have been aware of God’s presence in a difficult situation?

“He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear.” (v. 9)

These words might remind you of Isaiah 2:4: “They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

How do these words make you feel?

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” (v. 10)

When was the last time you became still before God? If you’d like to try it, here’s a technique you could use.

Sit somewhere quiet and slowly say these words:

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Then be silent for a few minutes.

Reading Psalms 49 to 54

This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on Psalm 51.

The heading for Psalm 51 reads: “A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.”

Most people who know the Bible know about David’s adultery with Bathsheba and his responsibility for the death of her husband when she discovered she was pregnant. After this, Nathan the prophet visited David and strongly condemned him for his actions. After David heard God’s message to him, 2 Samuel 12:13 says:

“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin.’”

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love …” (v. 1)

In this psalm, we are not “spectators” of David’s sin – we are fellow sinners, just as in need of salvation as him.

David’s plea for forgiveness is based not on his own worthiness, but on his knowledge of God’s character. The dictionary definition of “Mercy” is “compassion or forgiveness shown to someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm”, and David is well aware of God’s vast power – but also of his unfailing love.

Have you ever experienced anyone’s mercy? How did this make you feel?

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (v. 7)

David moves from a prayer of confession to a prayer of petition. He longs for his relationship with God to be restored.

God’s cleansing is so much more thorough than anything we can manage. In Isaiah 1:18 he says: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

When was the last time you asked God for his cleansing?

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (v. 12)

Through this episode, David has lost his joy in the Lord. Sin separates us from God, and from David we can learn about God’s grace. If we accept his grace, we are restored into a right relationship with the Lord.

What does grace mean to you?

Reading Psalms 55 to 60

This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on Psalm 56.

This Psalm was written in response to an incident when David was seized by the Philistines and believed his life to be in danger.

“In God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (v. 4)

In verse 1 it’s clear that David feels that the attack on him is relentless and never-ending: “for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack”. Most of us would find the situation unbearable, but David’s natural reaction is to trust in God.

Is turning to God your natural reaction in times of trouble?

“Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll – are they not in your record?” (v. 8)

As David believes, God knows about, and even records, all our tears. God doesn’t forget any of our tears, or any of our prayers – even if we prayed them a long time ago and we ourselves have forgotten them.

Take a few moments to think about this. How does it make you feel?

“For you have delivered my soul from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” (v. 13)

The psalm ends on an upbeat note of hope, with David recognising that even in the worst of circumstances God keeps us on the right path if we walk in obedience to him.

What does walking in the light of life mean to you?

Reading Psalms 61 to 66

This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on Psalm 65.

Psalm 65 was likely written as a song to be used to celebrate the Feast of the Tabernacles. This Feast, in Jewish custom, celebrates the protection by God of the Israelites in the wilderness. After they fled captivity in Egypt, they were instructed to build tents (tabernacles) as dwelling places.

This is a song of celebration of the provision of God.

“Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!” (v. 4)

We often expect that it is our responsibility to draw God towards us. Notice that here, it is God who is taking the initiative to draw people towards him.

Have you ever felt God drawing you towards him?

“The hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas” (v. 5)

Here, David turns his attention outwards, to the whole world. There is no part of the earth that the Lord cannot reach with hope.

How does this make you feel?

“The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with corn” (v. 13).

From verse 9 to the end of the psalm, David describes God’s amazing provision as he blesses his creation and makes it fruitful. There’s a theme of clothing and covering as the Lord provides.

The response of creation is to “shout for joy and sing” (v. 13). What is your response to God’s provision for you?

Reading Psalms 67 to 72

This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on Psalm 71.

This psalm was written towards the end of David’s life. He looks back over a lifetime of experience and a lifelong fellowship with God. He prays that he will see God’s protection, which has been with him since birth, until the end of his life.

“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb” (vv 5–6).

Reflecting on your own life experiences, have you felt this confidence in God? If so, why do you think this might be?

“As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” (v. 14)

Life’s troubles are real, but they don’t have the final say. At the end of it all, God is true to his word; he is a faithful, loving and righteous Father, and worthy of our praise.

How could you praise God today?

“Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” (v. 18)

Loneliness and vulnerability may increase with age but we can trust that God will be there alongside us. Here, David envisions a legacy of faith. One of the best gifts we can give is to finish well, and to David this means sharing his stories of God’s faithfulness.

What legacy do you want to pass on to future generations?

Reading Psalms 73 to 78

This time, we’ve decided to concentrate on Psalm 78.

Psalm 78 is in Book III of the Psalms. This book was primarily written by Asaph, who was anointed by David as a prophet and to lead the worship.

It is the second-longest psalm (Psalm 119 is the longest one). In it, Asaph looks at the history of the Israelite nation, to which God has proved his faithfulness over time. One example is the deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt.

“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord … Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds.” (vv. 4, 7)

Looking back on events in your own life, can you remember God’s “praiseworthy deeds” that have increased your faith?

“I will utter … things have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lords, his power, and the wonders he has done.” (vv 2–4)

What have you learned from your ancestors that you could pass on to the next generation?

This psalm illustrates how God works throughout the lifespan of a nation, and also works throughout the lives of each of us. Sometimes the patterns of God’s working only become clear on looking back.

Can you see God working within the pattern of your own life?

 

The next set of psalms will be Psalms 79 to 84. If you have any thoughts or comments about any particular verses that you’d like to share, please email us at cathytingle@yahoo.co.uk.