Writing your own psalm is easy: Just follow the 4 R’s!

But before you begin writing…

The first thing you must do before you even think about writing a single is pray. Ask the Lord to speak to your heart as you craft the song of your heart to Him. Ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit to guide you, speak to you, and speak through your writing.

The second thing that will help you immensely in crafting your own psalm is to carefully read through several different types of psalms. Some of the distinctions to consider as you pick the psalms you’re going to read are author, category, theme, and length. Here are a few suggestions.

Psalm 1: It’s a wisdom psalm, it’s a short psalm, it’s written by David, and it emphasizes the importance of following God’s Word and living in accordance with it.

Psalm 3: It’s a lament psalm, it’s a short psalm, it’s written by David, and it deals with facing hard times and asking for God’s involvement.

Psalm 6: It’s a short, repentance psalm, written by David, meant to be sung, and dealt with sadness and grief, looking for a sign of God’s presence.

Psalm 72: It’s a little longer than the others, is a royal psalm, and was written by Solomon. While it’s a prayer for the king, it is also a foreshadowing of King Jesus.

Psalm 111: It’s a shorter psalm written by an unknown author, and it’s a thanksgiving psalm. It praises God for His works—past, present, and future.

Psalm 44: It’s a medium length lament psalm that was written by the sons of Korah. It acknowledges all that God has done, but also questions why God has allowed certain things to happen.

Psalm 40: It’s a longer one written by David and is a mix of lament and praise. It speaks of waiting for God and expressing faith in the time of waiting.

Now that you’ve read through some different styles of psalms, here are the 4 R’s…

1. RECORD your present feeling/emotion, or situation….

Examples from Psalms:

-Psalm 119:53 (HCSB): “Rage seizes me because of the wicked who reject Your instruction…”

-Psalm 119:143 (NIV): “Trouble and distress have come upon me…”

-Psalm 119:81-84 (NIV): “My soul faints with longing for your salvation… My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, ‘When will you comfort me?’… How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors?”

Psalm 119:28 (NIV): “My soul is weary with sorrow…”

Examples:

-“I’m scared and anxious about the state of the world…”

-“I’m confused and filled with doubt…”

-“I feel spiritually dry today…”

-“I’m excited about this next season that You’ve put before me…”

2. RECALL a time or times when God has helped you in the past.

Examples from Psalms:

-Psalm 119:50-52 (NIV): “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law. I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them.”

– Psalm 119:53-54 (HCSB): “Rage seizes me because of the wicked who reject Your instruction. Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life.”

Examples:

-“You’ve always been there for me when I feel overwhelmed.”

-”You helped me to get through final exams last semester.”

-“You rescued me when I was at my lowest.”

-“You confirmed the calling You have for my life so clearly.”

3. RESTATE your understanding of who God is and how he helps you.

Examples from Psalms:

-Psalm 3:3 (NIV): “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.”

-Psalm 120:1 (NIV): “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.”

-Psalm 121:5 (NIV): “The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand.”
-Psalm 124:2-5 (NIV): “if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.”

Examples:

-“You are the God who never quits on me, no matter what I do.”

-“Your Word gives me peace in the most difficult moments.”

-“When grief over the loss of my loved one began to engulf me, You spoke to me through a friend and gave me comfort.”

4. RESOLVE to trust in God and let Him work through you.

Examples from Psalms:

-Psalm 13:3-6 (NIV): “Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’ and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.”

-Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT): “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”

Examples:

“Even though I can’t see the solution to my marriage, I will trust in You to be faithful like You always have.”

-“My health is failing me, but I know You continue to renew my spirit and I know You are working great things through it all. I trust in Your will and Your promises.”

“As I step out in faith, I know You are with me and I know You will guide my every step.”