Growing into the Heart of God
In the quiet rhythm of monastic life, the Psalms are our constant companions. They form the backbone of our daily prayers, from the early morning vigils to the peaceful closing of compline at night. For centuries, these ancient songs have been sung and whispered by those seeking to draw closer to God, whether in times of joy, sorrow, praise, or lament. To pray with the Psalms is to join a timeless conversation between humanity and the Divine.
The Psalms are often called the prayer book of the Bible, and for good reason. They capture every emotion we, as human beings, can experience—deep longing, profound gratitude, anger, despair, hope, and joy. In the Psalms, we find words for the moments we can't quite articulate, when our hearts are full but our lips fall silent.
The Psalms: Echoes of Every Human Experience
One of the beautiful truths about the Psalms is that they don't shy away from the full spectrum of life. There are Psalms of praise that declare God's glory over creation: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." (Psalm 19:1). There are Psalms of lament, where the psalmist cries out to God in desperation, seeking deliverance: "Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice." (Psalm 130:1). And there are Psalms that reflect thanksgiving for the steadfast love of God: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1).
In every season of our lives, there is a Psalm that meets us where we are, putting into words the thoughts and emotions that we might struggle to express on our own. In this way, praying with the Psalms becomes an invitation to bring our whole selves before God—not just the polished parts, but the raw, real, and sometimes messy parts of life.
The Difficulties of Praying the Psalms
Despite their beauty, the Psalms can sometimes present challenges. Their ancient language, steeped in the culture and history of Israel, can feel distant or difficult to relate to. Some Psalms contain harsh or even brutal imagery, expressing desires for vengeance or divine wrath that clash with the teachings of love and forgiveness we hold dear as Christians.
Take Psalm 137, for instance, which ends with the disturbing image of infants dashed against rocks. Or the many imprecatory Psalms that call for God to destroy enemies. How do we pray such Psalms? How can we make sense of words that seem so far from the love of neighbor Jesus calls us to?
One way to approach these difficult passages is to remember that the Psalms are deeply honest. They reflect the raw, unfiltered emotions of human beings in their most vulnerable moments. These ancient cries for justice or vengeance can remind us that we, too, can bring our anger, frustration, and fear to God, trusting Him to transform our hearts. As we pray even the uncomfortable Psalms, we are invited to offer our own struggles and the brokenness of the world to God, asking Him to bring healing and peace where there is division and hurt. In doing so, we participate in the redemption of our own hearts and the world around us.
Another way to approach these difficult Psalms is to see them as symbolic or representative of the spiritual battles we face. The enemies and destructive forces mentioned can be understood as the inner struggles we all encounter—our temptations, doubts, fears, and sins. When we pray for deliverance from these 'enemies,' we are asking God to protect us from what harms our souls. Through this lens, even the harshest of Psalms becomes a plea for spiritual purification and strength. By praying them, we acknowledge the reality of the fight against darkness, both within ourselves and in the world, and we trust in God's ultimate victory over all that opposes His will.
How to Pray Psalms That Don’t Reflect Our Mood
At times, the Psalms also reflect emotions that may not match our own in the moment. We may be filled with peace and contentment, but encounter a Psalm of lament or desperation. Or perhaps we are wrestling with grief, and yet the Psalm we are praying is filled with exuberant praise.
In these moments, it helps to remember that the Psalms are not just personal prayers—they are communal prayers. When we pray the Psalms, we are not just praying for ourselves, but with and for others. We enter into the voice of the broader Church, speaking for those who may not have the strength to pray for themselves. If we come across a Psalm of lament when we are joyful, we can pray in solidarity with those who are suffering. Likewise, when we pray a Psalm of praise in our grief, we remind ourselves of God’s enduring goodness, even in difficult times.
We can also use these moments to open our hearts to emotions we might not want to acknowledge. A Psalm of anger may feel uncomfortable, but perhaps it is an invitation to bring our hidden frustrations or hurts to God. A Psalm of exuberance, prayed in sorrow, can lift our spirits and point us to hope.
Praying the Psalms with Jesus
Praying the Psalms is also a way of praying with Jesus. Throughout his life, Jesus prayed with the Psalms, drawing on them at key moments of his ministry. When he cried out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1), Jesus was quoting directly from the Psalms, voicing both his anguish and his trust in God’s faithfulness. Even in his suffering, the Psalms were a source of prayer and comfort for him.
As Christians, when we pray the Psalms, we are following in the footsteps of Christ. The Psalms were part of his prayer life, and through them, we can unite our prayers with his. They remind us that Jesus fully entered into our human experience, sharing in our joys and sorrows, and that in every circumstance, we can trust that he walks with us.
The Monastic Tradition of Praying the Psalms
In monastic communities like ours at Seligenthal, the daily rhythm of prayer is built upon the chanting and recitation of the Psalms. Every day, we sing the Psalms during the Divine Office, or Liturgy of the Hours, beginning with Vigils in the early morning, continuing through Laudes, Midday Prayer, Vespers, and finally ending with Compline before nightfall.
During Vigils we prepare our hearts for the day. Laudes and Vespers offer Psalms of praise and thanksgiving, while Compline includes Psalms that soothe the soul before sleep, such as Psalm 91: "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge."
The repetition of the Psalms, day after day, year after year, is a powerful practice. Over time, their words become engraved in our hearts, a part of our spiritual DNA. We learn to see the world through the lens of the Psalms, to respond to life’s joys and challenges with the language of prayer and praise.
Joining the Universal Prayer
When we pray the Psalms, we are not just praying alone. We are joining a vast chorus of voices—those who have gone before us and those who pray with us now. The Psalms connect us to a universal prayer, spanning time and space, and uniting us with the global church. Whether we are praying in the solitude of our room or in the company of a congregation, the Psalms remind us that we are never alone.
Praying the Psalms in Everyday Life
You don’t need to live in a monastery to begin praying with the Psalms. You can start right where you are, with just a Bible and an open heart. Here are a few simple ways to incorporate the Psalms into your daily life:
Morning Psalm: Begin your day with a Psalm of praise, such as Psalm 100 or Psalm 103. Let its words lift your heart and set your mind on God as you enter the day.
Midday Pause: Take a break in the middle of your day to pray a Psalm of trust or thanksgiving. Psalm 23 is a beautiful reminder of God’s guidance and care: "The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing."
Evening Reflection: Before going to bed, pray a Psalm of protection or peace, such as Psalm 4 or Psalm 91. Let its words quiet your soul and prepare you for restful sleep.
In Times of Struggle: When you’re facing difficulties, turn to the Psalms of lament, like Psalm 42 or Psalm 130. They offer honest expressions of pain and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, God is near.
A Sacred Dialogue
Ultimately, praying with the Psalms is about entering into a sacred dialogue with God. As we speak the words of the psalmists, we are reminded that our prayers don’t need to be perfect or eloquent. They just need to be honest. The Psalms teach us to bring everything to God—the joys, the sorrows, the questions, and the praise—and to trust that God listens and responds with love.
In praying the Psalms, we discover the beauty of a heart laid bare before its Creator. We find comfort, challenge, and transformation as we immerse ourselves in these ancient prayers that continue to speak to the deepest parts of our souls.
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