2022
15 Psalms for Joy
August 2022

“15 Psalms for Joy,” For the Strength of Youth, Aug. 2022.

Come, Follow Me

Psalms

15 Psalms for Joy

By David Dickson

Church Magazines

Here’s a handful of psalms to keep handy when life gets bumpy.

15 illustrations representing 15 psalms

Illustrations by Mitch Miller

The scriptures are full of comfort and evidence of God’s love. With so many uplifting scriptures to choose from, even just from the book of Psalms alone (which you may study this month as a part of Come, Follow Me), here are a few to lean on whenever you need a lift.

Scriptural Pick-Me-Ups

  1. Are you going through a period of sadness or grief?
    “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

  2. Does the world seem scary at times?
    “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

  3. For those days when you carry heavy burdens:
    “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee” (Psalm 55:22).

  4. Do the actions of other people ever cause you concern?
    “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Psalm 118:6).

  5. Are you uncertain what to do next in your life?
    “[God’s] word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

  6. When you fall short in your goals:
    “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

  7. Do you ever feel like you have nowhere to turn for help?
    “My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).

  8. When the storms of life rage:
    “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust” (Psalm 91:2).

  9. Do you need help overcoming fear?
    “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

  10. When you feel broken in body or spirit:
    “O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me” (Psalm 30:2).

  11. Are you feeling at the end of your strength?
    “My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word” (Psalm 119:28).

  12. Do others make fun of you?
    “I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge. … Deliver me from my persecutors” (Psalm 142:5–6).

  13. When you need a reminder of God’s mercy:
    “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (Psalm 103:8).

  14. When you worry that you’re not smart or wise enough:
    “The fear [or reverence] of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10).

  15. Helpful guidance for who not listen to for advice:
    “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).

Which of these psalms inspires you? You could make a poster or print it out and hang it up where you see it often.