Psalms for the Anxious

The Bible not only instructs us how to think; it also informs our emotions and helps us gain a comforting perspective. And of all of the books in the Bible, the book of Psalms is perfectly suited for times of trouble. In the Psalms you can identify with the psalmist as he expresses his deepest distress, and learn along with him as God teaches him how to view things from His perspective. Viewing things from God’s vantage point—that is true comfort.

May you find comfort as you read these “psalms for the anxious,” excerpted from John MacArthur’s book Anxiety Attacked (all Scripture quotations are from the NAS, except where noted; emphasis added).

Psalm 3:

You are a shield around me, O Lord, my Glorious One, who lifts up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud and He answers me from His holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear … Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! (vv. 3–7, NIV)

Psalm 4:

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! Thou hast relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him. Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord. Many are saying, ‘Who will show us any good?’ Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, O Lord! Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety (vv. 1, 3–8).

Psalm 5:

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto Thee will I pray. My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up … Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee. For Thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt Thou compass him as with a shield (vv. 1–4, 11–12, KJV).

Psalm 6:

No, Lord! Don’t punish me in the heat of Your anger. Pity me, O Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, for my body is sick, and I am upset and disturbed. My mind is filled with apprehension and with gloom. Oh, restore me soon … I am worn out with pain; every night my pillow is wet with tears. My eyes are growing old and dim with grief … Go, leave me now, you men of evil deeds, for the Lord has heard my weeping and my pleading. He will answer all my prayers (vv. 1–3, 6–9, TLB).

Psalm 7:

O Lord my God, I take refuge in You; save and deliver me…my shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart … I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High” (vv. 1, 10, 17, NIV).