10 Soothing Psalms to Bring You Peace

What Are the Psalms in the Bible?

The psalms are a collection of poems, or songs. Our modern word “Psalms” comes from the Greek “psalmoi,” meaning “songs of praise.”

Each of the psalms is an individual song or poem, much like a hymn. They were written by multiple authors, including Moses, Solomon, and David. These were used to worship God, with different kinds of psalms for all different situations. There are 150 psalms in the Bible.

Reasons to Turn to the Psalms for Peace

The psalms are prayers to God. One way the psalms can bring us peace is to see that others have also faced what we are facing, and the Lord rescued them.

When we’re praying for peace, it can be difficult to express what we’re feeling or thinking to God. However, the psalms are there to guide us. This doesn’t mean we have to follow the psalms exactly, but they can help us pray and put our thoughts and concerns into words. 

Finally, the psalms are part of the Bible, the inspired Word of God. They contain messages that God wants us to receive. 

What the Bible Says about the Power of Scripture

The Scriptures are special among writings, having been inspired by God. 

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

God’s Word is alive. The Holy Spirit uses it to teach us, shape us, and speak to us. 

2 Timothy 3:16 says that all Scripture is “God-breathed” (NIV) or “breathed out by God” (ESV). 

When we are seeking God, the best place to go is straight to His Word. When we need to know that things will be all right, where better to turn than directly to His promises?

Here are some examples of the peace God provides, and 10 selected psalms to embrace His peace:

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Examples of Peace God Provides

Sometimes we think of “peace” simply as the opposite of war. And God can certainly bring that. Or we think of “peace” as quiet. God can bring that as well.

However, the peace of God is so much more than that. The peace of God is about more than our earthly circumstances. It’s about a deep trust in God, that He has everything under control and cares for us.

The peace of God calms our anxieties, letting us know we’re not alone. This peace comes from a right relationship with Him, trusting Him with our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls.

Below are 10 psalms that remind us of the peace and care of God, with some of the key verses from each psalm highlighted.

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10 Psalms to Remind You of God’s Peace

1. Psalm 3

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. – Psalm 3:5-6

Psalm 3 was written by David, when he was running from his murderous son Absalom. However, even while running for his life, David was able to be completely vulnerable in sleep. Why? Because He knew the Lord was with him. 

“From the Lord comes deliverance,” David writes in Psalm 3:8. David was able to find peace in his dangerous situation from trusting that deliverance would come from God, not by his own power.

2. Psalm 16

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. – Psalm 16:9-11

Psalm 16 was also written by David, though the psalm doesn’t necessarily indicate when or for what occasion it was written. In this psalm, David makes an extraordinary claim: the Lord will not “abandon [him] to the realm of the dead” (Psalm 16:10).

This was long before Christ came, offering eternal life. However, David, in a great show of faith, trusted in the everlasting love of the Lord.

We will all physically die someday. However, death is not the end. For those who follow Christ, death is simply a transition to “joy in [God’s] presence” (Psalm 16:11) eternally.

When we fear death, this thought can give us peace. Even if worse comes to worst and we lose our earthly lives, the Lord awaits us in our heavenly home (John 14:1-3).

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More Psalms to Remind You of God’s Peace

3. Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?...

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…

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

– Psalm 27:1, Psalm 27:4, Psalm 27:14

This psalm is once again written by David. It is a plea to the Lord of David’s earnest desire to seek Him. David feels as if all have forsaken him, but he knows God will not. David’s greatest desire is to dwell with Him and “gaze on the beauty of the Lord” (Psalm 27:4).

David’s one desire to know God drowns out the woes of this world. If the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, is for him, his stronghold and salvation, it would be foolish to fear anyone.

However, David acknowledges that sometimes answer to prayer does not come immediately. But he tells himself, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). We can have peace and confidence knowing that the Lord is there, and in His perfect timing, He will answer.

4. Psalm 34

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him…

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

– Psalm 34:8, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 34:21-22

In this psalm, the Lord, through David, assures us that though things may seem unfair in this life, He is good, and justice will come. The Lord is with us when we are brokenhearted. Ultimately, wickedness and sin will be defeated, but He will save all those who believe from condemnation.

When things feel like they could never be made right, the Lord is working—even if we can’t see it.

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More Psalms to Remind You of God’s Peace

5. Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. – Psalm 40:1-3

Here, David felt stuck, as if in quicksand. In quicksand, one must remain calm to escape. Likewise, when we feel stuck, we are to be calm and wait upon the Lord. We must trust that He is powerful and can lift us from the mire. We can have peace knowing that the Lord does indeed save. 

Not only does the Lord save; He sets us on a firm foundation and gives us a new story, a new song (Psalm 40:3). Through His rescue, others may see and know Him. 

6. Psalm 46

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, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging…

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

– Psalm 46:1-3, Psalm 46:9-10

This psalm was written by “the Sons of Korah,” a group descended from Aaron who became leaders of music in the tabernacle during the time of David.

The Sons of Korah make strong statements in this psalm. Sometimes it feels like our world is literally falling apart. However, they say, even if the world were to give way, the Lord would still be our refuge and strength.

They also point to a time when God will bring peace absolutely, making wars cease, destroying weapons, and letting all know that He is God. We may look forward to this day when human strife will be no more.

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More Psalms to Remind You of God’s Peace

7. Psalm 91

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” – Psalm 91:14-15

The entirety of this psalm is filled with poetic language about the care and love of the Lord. For example, Psalm 91:4 says, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge,” which gives us an image of God protecting us like a tender mother bird. 

This psalm promises that the Lord will let no disaster overtake us. It’s important to note that this may not literally be true, though He is indeed capable of saving us from all things. However, if we put our trust in the Lord, we need not fear any disaster. He is with us, He has a plan, and He holds our eternal destiny.

No disaster can rip us out of God’s grasp and away from His love.

8. Psalm 103

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. – Psalm 103:11-12

In this psalm of praise to the Lord, David praises God not only for His mightiness, but far more, for His love and compassion. 

When in need of a reminder of the depths of the Lord’s love and care, you can turn to Psalm 103. “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10). Rather, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love” (Psalm 103:8).

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More Psalms to Remind You of God’s Peace

9. Psalm 116

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. – Psalm 116:3-7

When we are without peace, it is often helpful to remember what God has done for us in the past. In this psalm, the psalmist recalls God’s past goodness, and because of it, rests within his soul and gives thanks to God.

10. Psalm 121

Psalm 121 is short with only eight verses, but it is a powerful passage to bring peace to the heart:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. – Psalm 121

There are many other psalms that offer peace and comfort, but these 10 may offer solace when life is difficult. Through His Word, the Lord reminds us that we are not alone. He loves us and is with us. 

As Psalm 27:1 states, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?”

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