15 Songs to Listen to from the Psalms
Note: This article is the second in a series of articles on 15 songs for different seasons of life. Click here to see the first.
The Psalms are some of the most relevant biblical texts to the Christian experience. Though all Scripture is realistic about the difficulties of life, the Psalms in particular present a down-to-earth view of life that resonates with our experience of pursuing a relationship with God while walking through a world that’s often an absolute mess. And the fallenness is not just something outside of us but something inside of us (Psalm 51). What’s more, the Psalms are intended to be sung! They are prayers to be sung in personal and corporate worship. That’s odd, when you consider, as Dale Ralph Davis reminds us, that “more than a third and near to a half of the Psalms are laments.”
What this means practically is that the Psalms are a common place to turn when life hurts. They speak to the struggles and tensions that exist between our theology (what we believe to be true about God) and life circumstances. They don’t ignore that paradox, often even putting absolute confidence in God and fearful cries to God in the same Psalm right next to each other (eg. Psalm 27). In Davis’ words, Psalm 27 teaches that “confidence (vv.1-6) doesn’t mean you’re beyond trouble (vv. 7-12), but equipped for it.”
Having said all of that, the Psalms also equip us to worship God when we are filled with absolute joy at God’s words (Psalm 19), God’s works (Psalm 136), and God’s ordinary blessings (Psalm 128). Or, when you are simply filled with so much awe of and joy in God, that you just want to be loud about it (Psalm 150)! So, Davis concludes,
“The Psalms tell us that trouble is normal, darkness is possible, reverses are likely, and ordinariness is celebrated. There is a herky-jerky pattern to believing life in the Psalms, covering the waterfront of conditions. The Psalms make clear that we do not get to some ‘higher ground,’ a sort of experiential plateau where we mostly live above life’s crud-line. Rather, there is only this ground where we stand, this frequently troubled, always changing, God-present ground.”
I’m thankful that we often sing Psalms as a part of our corporate worship at Hampton Park Baptist Church. Over the years, I’ve compiled a lot of Psalms into a personal playlist. Some are songs that we sing at HPBC and others that we do not (yet!). Some are summaries of Psalms, some are simply based on certain truths in a particular Psalm, and some are word-for-word quotes of Psalms. Below is a list of 15 of these songs (with a bonus song at the end). I’ve included links to playlists that include all 16 songs. My prayer is that these Psalms/songs will point you to the God who is “near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).
YouTube Playlist
YouTube Music Playlist
Spotify Playlist
1. Psalm 1 (YouTube)
Over a three-year period from 2020-2022, the artist Poor Bishop Hooper recorded a song on every single Psalm which is quite an undertaking and accomplishment! Their setting of Psalm 1 is a simple, heartfelt chorus of joy and delight in God and His Word. “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2).
Oh the joy, the joy, the joy
Of those who delight in the law of the Lord
Oh the joy, the joy, the joy of those
Who meditate day and night in the law of the Lord
Let all my delight be only in
Your sweet and right instruction
Like trees along the river
With leaves that never wither
Everything they do will prosper in You 1
2. Majestic (Psalm 8) (YouTube)
This soothing setting of Psalm 8 comes from Aaron Shust’s album on the Psalms. I like how the lyric video on YouTube has the verses at the bottom from which the lyrics were derived. “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4).
Creator of the starry sky
Crafted by Your hands
What is man that You remember us?
Creator of thе universe
Crafted by Your hands
What is man that You rеmember us?
The son of man that You would visit us?
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth 2
3. Psalm 23 (YouTube)
Stuart Townend has been a gift to our church and many others! We’ve sung his arrangement of Psalm 23 many times as a church. The words of this Psalm are so comforting. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).
And though I walk the darkest path,
I will not fear the evil one,
For You are with me, and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know.
And I will trust in You alone,
And I will trust in You alone,
For Your endless mercy follows me,
Your goodness will lead me home. 3
4. Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy (Psalm 23) (YouTube)
Psalm 23 is so good that it’s worth singing twice in two different ways! Shane and Shane have made multiple albums on the Psalms. I love their hearty, earthy voices as they sing their songs, including Psalm 23. This song is very meditative. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:5-6).
You prepare a table right before me
In the presence of my enemies
Though the arrow flies and the terror of night
Is at my door, I'll trust you Lord
Surely goodness, surely mercy
Right beside me all my days
And I will dwell in Your house forever
And bless Your Holy Name 4
5. The Lord Is My Salvation (Psalm 27) (YouTube)
This song was written by the Gettys to be a kind of personal testimony, inspired by Psalm 27. We’ve had the joy of singing this many times at Hampton Park. “For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5).
My hope is hidden in the Lord
He flow’rs each promise of His Word
When winter fades I know spring will come
The Lord is my salvation
In times of waiting, times of need
When I know loss, when I am weak
I know His grace will renew these days
The Lord is my salvation
Who is like the Lord our God?
Strong to save, faithful in love
My debt is paid and the vict’ry won
The Lord is my salvation 5
6. Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call (Psalm 42) (YouTube)
We’ve sung this just a few times at Hampton Park. As referenced above, the Psalms speak to all areas of our experience in a fallen world. Psalm 42 directs us to speak truth to ourselves in the most difficult times. Matt Boswell and Matt Papa have given us a very singable version of this Psalm. “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Psalm 42:5).
Why are you cast down, my soul?
Hope in Him who saves you
When the fires have all grown cold
Cause this heart to praise You
And oh, my soul, put your hope in God
My help, my rock, I will praise Him
Sing, oh, sing through the raging storm
You're still my God, my salvation 6
7. Psalm 46 (YouTube)
If you haven’t heard of The Corner Room, you should look them up. They write songs with lyrics that are taken directly from the words of Scripture. So, when you sing this awesome setting of Psalm 46, you are singing the ESV translation of Psalm 46, word for word. Start listening to this song, and you’ll have Psalm 46 memorized in no time!
"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our fortress. 7
8. My Soul Finds Rest (Psalm 62) (YouTube)
This song from Stuart Townend and Aaron Keyes might be the most familiar to our church. It is based on the truths in Psalm 62. “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2).
Find rest, my soul, in God alone
Amid the world’s temptations;
When evil seeks to take a hold
I’ll cling to my salvation.
Though riches come and riches go,
Don’t set your heart upon them;
The fields of hope in which I sow
Are harvested in heaven. 8
9. Give Thanks (Psalm 105:1-3) (YouTube)
Similar to what I said about the Corner Room above, if you haven’t heard of Seeds Family Worship, you should look them up. They also produce songs with lyrics that are directly from Scripture. This one on Psalm 105:1-3 has been one of our family favorites to sing together.
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
Make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
Tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! 9
10. I Love You Lord (Psalm 116) (YouTube)
This version of Psalm 116 is sung by Andrew Peterson, his daughter Skye, and a couple others. The lyrics are nearly a direct quote of parts of Psalm 116. The harmonies are glorious. “For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 116:8-9).
I will bless you Lord for you heard my cry
I reached out my hand and you saved my life
I will bless you Lord for you heard my plea
And the God of heaven turned his ear to me
I will bless you Lord for unending love
For your grace and mercy
Raining down from above
I will bless you Lord to the very end
I will call on you as long as I may live 10
11. I Lift My Eyes (Psalm 121) (YouTube)
This Getty song might be less known to some in our church. It is a meditation on the truths in Psalm 121. “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).
I lift my eyes up to the hills
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Maker of
The heavens and the earth
He will not let my foot be moved
He keeps my journey safe
O my soul, praise the Lord most high!
Strong to save, He upholds my life
Forevermore, He will be my light
I lift my eyes, up to the Lord most high 11
12. I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130) (YouTube)
The idea of “waiting” is common in the Psalms. Wait on God. This is so hard, but it is a part of the life of every Christian. “My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning” (Psalm 130:6).
I will wait for You, I will wait for You
On Your Word, I will rely
I will wait for You, surely wait for You
'Til my soul is satisfied 12
13. His Love Endures (Psalm 136:1-6, 26) (YouTube)
This is another song from Seeds Family Worship, singing directly from Psalm 136. This Psalm recounts Israel’s history, repeating the refrain that God’s steadfast love has been with them the whole way.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
His love endures forever
Give thanks to the God of gods
His love endures forever
Give thanks to the Lord of lords
His love endures
His love endures
His love endures forever 13
14. Psalm 139:1-6 (YouTube)
This is another song from The Corner Room. Psalm 139 is a song praising God’s sovereign control, a song of comfort and awe with lyrics directly taken from the Psalm.
Even before a word is on my tongue
Behold, O Lord, You know it altogether
You hem me in, behind and before
And lay Your hand upon me
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me
It is high; I cannot attain it 14
15. Praise the Lord (Psalm 150) (YouTube)
We’ve enjoyed singing this Psalm many times at Hampton Park. “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!” (Psalm 150:1-2).
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord
Sing His greatness all creation
Praise the Lord, raise your voice
You heights and all you depths
From furthest east to west
Let everything that has breath
Praise the Lord 15
Honorable Mention: Glorious and Mighty (Psalm 96 and 145) (YouTube)
I couldn’t publish this list without including this song which was the recessional at my wedding! I love this song which is a meditation on some of the truths in Psalm 96 and 145. It’s a part of the Sovereign Grace album on the Psalms. “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!” (Psalm 96:11-12).
Majesty, Your glory is shining
Brighter than the moon and the stars
Marveling, we honor and fear You
Above all gods
Glorious and mighty, You’re awesome In beauty
Joyful songs we raise
Glorious and mighty, You’re awesome in beauty
Greatly to be praise 16
1 Words by Jesse and Leah Roberts ©2022 Poor Bishop Hooper
2 Words by Aaron Shust (and King David) ©2023 Aaron Shust
3 Words by Stuart Townend ©1996 ThankYou Music
4 Words by Shane Barnard ©2019 Songs from Wellhouse
5 Words by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Nathan Nockles, and Jonas Myrin ©2016 Getty Music Publishing
6 Words by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell ©2018 Getty Music Hymns
7 Words from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles ©2018 Corner Room Music
8 Words Aaron Keyes and Stuart Townend ©2018 Thankyou Music (PRS)
9 Words from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles ©2011 Seeds Family Worship
10 Words by Jessica Ray Langdon ©2020 Integrity's Praise! Music
11 Words by Kristyn Getty, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker, and Matt Papa ©2020 Getty Music Publishing (BMI)
12 Words by Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker, Keith Getty, and Stuart Townend ©2018 Getty Music Publishing
13 Words by Seeds Family Worship ©2005 Seeds Family Worship
14 Words from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles ©2018 Corner Room Music
15 Words by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa ©2000 Getty Music Publishing
16 Words by Joel Sczebel, Todd Twining, and Bob Kauflin ©2008 Sovereign Grace Music