Top 20 Best Psalms to Memorize

What’s your favorite song? If I asked you to sing it, would you know all the words? I bet you would. Songs are easy to memorize because they have rhythm and rhyme.

So, when it comes to Bible memorization, the best place to start is with psalms. Psalm literally means song or sacred song.

So, what are the best Psalms to memorize? Here are twenty psalms to memorize for comfort throughout your day. Along with a beautiful Free scripture printable!

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my full affiliate disclosure here.

The Importance of Memorizing Scripture

Scripture is the inspired Word of God. It is God-breathed. It is God’s conversation with us. If we desire daily, ongoing conversation with God, knowing His Word is crucial. He uses His Word to communicate, teach, correct, and guide us.

Scripture aids our character development and our thought lives. Through the lens of the Bible, we understand truth and discern lies. The more we know, the better equipped we are.

II Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Why memorize scripture? The Bible tells us to memorize scripture, to store it in our hearts.

While being familiar with God’s Word is important, memorizing it makes a deeper impact on our daily walk. It gives us strength and insight for living.

The Word is a tool for life and a weapon of warfare. The Bible says to resist the devil and he will flee. Quoting scripture arms us for battle. We speak God’s truth and find courage to overcome.

Psalm 119:16 – I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Job 22:22 – Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, And lay up his words in thine heart.

Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Best Psalms to Memorize

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. I want to be rich in the Word.

When we face a challenging situation, the Holy Spirit speaks the Word to our hearts and minds. He reminds us of relevant verses, whether to nurture a friend, make a decision, pray for provision, or resist temptation.

If we haven’t memorized God’s Word, we end up relying on our own thoughts, which are not always accurate.

Memorizing psalms allows us to speak aloud in the situation. The spoken Word is powerful and simultaneously defeats the enemy and encourages our hearts.

No matter what we feel or face, there is a Word for us. Let’s explore the best psalms to memorize for any situation.

If we haven’t memorized God’s Word, we end up relying on our own thoughts, which are not always accurate.

Psalms for Comfort

When we are looking for comfort, we frequently opt for things that are familiar—our favorite book, our favorite food, our favorite pair of slippers. I find familiar scriptures to be comforting. And the more we memorize, the more comfort is available.

One of the best Psalms for comfort is Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd. It is familiar, and many of us memorized it as children.

When we know the Lord is our Shepherd, we are comforted. His Presence soothes our distress. He is with us through thick and thin. No matter what kind of valley or challenge we face, we have assurance that God is beside us. 

This psalm also promises we will lack nothing. God provides everything we need: rest, rejuvenation, and refreshment. He promises guidance, protection, provision, anointing, goodness, and a home with Him.

Other Psalms remind us that we do not have to be afraid. God pursues our enemies, defends us, sets us high away from danger, and provides rest while we wait on Him for rescue.

1. Psalm 23:4 – 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.
2. Psalm 27:5 – For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
3. Psalm 57:3 – He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
4. Psalm 62:1-2 – Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
5. Psalm 138:7 – Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.  He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
6. Psalm 119:50 – This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Psalms for Protection from Enemies

God tells us we should not live in fear. He provides protection from enemies of all types. Psalm 91 is a psalm I began memorizing through the pandemic.

This psalm says if we dwell in the shelter of the Most High, we can say He is our fortress. He saves us from deadly pestilence. He covers us. Verses five through eleven particularly resonate with me.

7. Psalm 91:5-11 – Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

The beginning of Psalm 32 may also be familiar to you. Corrie Ten Boom used it as the title of her book, The Hiding Place. She describes her experiences in the Dutch underground when Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands. She tells of God’s protection and her own deliverance. 

8. Psalm 32:7 – Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Psalms for Healing

Many Psalms remind us that God is our Healer. Psalm 103 is a favorite of mine. The promise of healing comes in verse three, but there are so many comforting promises in this psalm. I find verse five especially encouraging.

9. Psalm 103:1-5 – Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
10. Psalm 30:2 – O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
11. Psalm 107:20 – He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
12. Psalm 118:17 – I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
13. Psalm 147:3 – He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Enjoy this lovely FREE Psalms 23 Wall Art printable! Display it on your wall or desk or tabletop to remind you of God’s unfailing love and care for you!

Click the image to download and print.

Psalms for Anxiety

Anxiety is defined as “distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune.” It is a state with a wide range of connotations. It might reference a mild state due to an upcoming visit to the dentist or driving conditions due to bad weather, or it might be a serious disorder that requires medical intervention.

I think it’s important to also consider the word “worry.” Worry means “to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret” and “to torment with cares, anxieties; trouble; plague.”

The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be “anxious for nothing.” That seems like a tall order. We all face daily challenges that make anxiety rise within us. But God tells us to pray. And praying the Word is a good place to start.

God wants us to give all our anxiety to Him. He tells us in 1 Peter 5:7 to cast all our cares on Him. And He promises to answer.

14. Psalm 55:1-2 – Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint. v.22 – Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
15. Psalm 86:7 – In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
16. Psalm 34:17 – The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
17. Psalm 94:19 – In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Psalms for Funerals

When faced with the death of a loved one, grief may make Bible reading and prayer challenging. Our sorrow makes it difficult to concentrate and focus. Scripture we recall from memory will bring comfort to us and encouragement to share with others. 

Psalm 23 is a truly comforting psalm to remember when facing the loss of a loved one. And the entire 31st psalm is a picture of taking refuge in the Lord for any circumstance.  

18. Psalm 23 – A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
19. Psalm 31:5 – In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. v.15a – My times are in thy hand. v.19-20 – Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
20. Psalm 121:7-8 – The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalms are perfect for memorization because the language flows. They are the songs of the Bible. They are prayers. They are worship.

You learn to memorize them by reading them over and over as prayers. Soon, you will be reciting them throughout the day for encouragement.

Which psalm will you memorize today?

About the Author – Corinne Kelli Widmayer

Sharing is caring!