“Life is hard, and then you die.”
That’s something I heard my grandmother say more than once when I was growing up. True, for sure, but not very encouraging or hopeful.
Of course, life is often full of challenges. Sometimes discouragement creeps in to weigh our hearts down with doubt. In these moments, more than any other, we have to turn to the One who gave us life in the first place. The One from whom we can receive peace and hope to keep on going.
I like what Jesus said better than my grandmother’s quote.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)
Although written about one thousand years before Jesus was born, the Book of Psalms, filled with songs of hope and songs of encouragement, offers us all a wellspring of comfort, hope, and renewed strength. Most of these songs came from the heart and mind of one of Jesus’ human ancestors, King David of Israel, who was known as a man after God’s own heart (see 1 Samuel 13:13-14).
Here, we’ll take a devotional look at 15 encouraging Bible verses from the Book of Psalms. These verses are filled with encouragement for difficult times you can cling to, as needed. Use these verses, along with the accompanying prayer, reflection, and journal prompts, to lift your spirit by reminding you of God’s unfailing love and presence.
1. The Lord, Our Shepherd
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1, KJV)
The NIV says, “I lack nothing” after “The Lord is my shepherd.” I love that, and I repeat it to myself often whenever the fears and doubts start creeping in.
This well-known psalm of King David reminds us that God is our Provider and Protector. When discouragement makes you feel lost, remember that the Good Shepherd (see John 10) is guiding you through every valley and taking care of your every need.
Prayer Prompt: Father God, in You, I have everything I need. Thank You for loving me and caring for me. Help me to feel Your presence near me always. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: Think about something difficult you’re going through right now. How can you trust in God’s promises to lead you through this difficult time?
Journaling Exercise: What do you need God to do in your life? Where do you need Him to show up? Write it down somewhere you’ll see it often, and get ready to watch Him work.
2. Our Refuge and Strength
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, NIV)
Sometimes it feels like everything is going wrong. When the world seems to be crumbling around you, remember that God is your unshakeable fortress. You can take refuge and find rest in Him. No matter what challenges you face, He is always there, ready to provide much-needed help.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me to be still and know that You are God (Psalm 46:10, NIV), even in the midst of my troubles. Fill my heart with Your comfort and peace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: What’s the first thing you do when you face problems of any kind? Is God your first thought, or an afterthought?
Journaling Exercise: Think of something difficult you’re going through right now, or maybe something you’ve experienced in the recent past. Did you run to God for help? If not, how do you think things would have been different if you had?
3. The Lord is Good
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4, NIV)
This psalm encourages us to actively seek God in times of distress. When discouragement clouds your vision, turn your eyes to the Lord and His Word. Read about and get ready to experience His goodness firsthand. There’s no better way to find hope than that.
Prayer Prompt: Father, I know that You are God. Help me to taste and see that You are good. Help me experience Your goodness with all the senses You gave me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: When hard times come, it’s easy to forget the good times. It’s even easier to forget the goodness of God, who never changes (Malachi 3:6). Can you think of a time you’ve let the troubles of this life distract you from experiencing the Lord’s goodness?
Journaling Exercise: Write about a time when God demonstrated His faithfulness to you in the midst of a difficult circumstance. How can this memory encourage and strengthen you today?
4. Hope in God
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:5, NIV)
The unnamed psalmist here struggles honestly with discouragement, and this makes it all the more relevant to us. It shows that we have permission to talk openly to ourselves and to God about what we are feeling. Remember Job’s questioning of God (see Job 31). God didn’t answer all of Job’s questions, but He didn’t get mad at Job for asking them, either (see Job 38). God is big enough to handle all our thoughts and emotions, but He wants us to trust Him.
In Psalm 42, we see the psalmist choosing to place his hope and trust in God, just as Job did (see Job 13:15). These examples remind us of the need to do the same.
Prayer Prompt: Lord God, I don’t always understand what You are doing, or why things are happening a certain way. But I know You are faithful and I can trust You. Help me to never doubt that. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: What specific hopes can you place in God today, drawing from these Bible verses about hope?
Journaling Exercise: Are you having trouble trusting God for some reason? What do you think will help you learn to trust Him again?
5. In the Shelter of the Most High
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1, NIV)
This powerful psalm speaks of God’s protection and presence. When discouragement strikes, it can sometimes catch us off guard. We feel vulnerable and exposed. At times like these, we need to remember that we can find refuge in God any time we need it. He covers us with His love. Even if we don’t feel it, we are safe.
Prayer Prompt: Father, I choose to dwell in Your shelter. Surround me with Your peace and protection, as You have promised in Your Word. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt safe in the love of God. What was going on around you then? How did it make a difference in your life?
Journaling Exercise: What does it mean to you to dwell in the shelter of the Most High? What does it mean to find rest in Him?
6. Help from the Lord
“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.” (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV)
When discouragement makes you feel helpless and lost, look up, as this psalm suggests. Remember that your help comes from the Creator of the universe, who never slumbers or sleeps (Psalm 121:4). He is always at the ready to provide whatever you need in every circumstance.
Prayer Prompt: Dear Lord God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, thank You for always watching over me. Help me to remember that You love me, and You are always there. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: How can you practically “lift your eyes” to God in your current difficult situation? How will you find strength and hope in these Bible verses?
Journaling Exercise: Write about the last time you lifted your eyes to the hills. If it’s been a while since you’ve done that, write about how it would feel if you tried again.
7. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14, NIV)
This psalm is probably my favorite in the whole book. It celebrates God’s intimate knowledge and love for us. When discouragement makes you doubt your worth, remember that you are God’s masterpiece. He thought of you and loved you and knew you completely before He even created you (see Psalm 139-:13-18 and Jeremiah 1:5). You are His very good idea (see Genesis 1:31)!
Prayer Prompt: Father God, You know me better than I know myself. Thank You for making me. Thank You for holding me together (Colossians 1:17), even when I think I’m falling apart. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: Let the evidence of God’s intimate love for you, as expressed in these verses, fill you with hope.
Journaling Exercise: List three ways you see God’s wonderful work in your life. Be sure to thank Him for all He is doing.
8. My Light and Salvation
“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?” (Psalm 27:1, NIV)
In this verse, we see light being used as a metaphor for hope, strength, and clarity of thought. Psalm 27 boldly declares God’s power to dispel darkness and fear. When discouragement casts shadows, let God’s light shine in your heart, as these Bible passages about hope encourage. In the face of adversity, we can be sure that God’s illuminating presence will pierce through the darkest of times, releasing us from fear and filling us with His peace.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, shine your light into this darkness. Help me to see Your salvation at work in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: Take a moment and close your eyes, picturing in your mind what it would look like to hide in the safety of the Lord’s stronghold.
Journaling Exercise: Where in your life could you use more safety and security? Write about what that looks like, specifically, as far as you are concerned.
9. Waiting Patiently
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1, NIV)
This psalm reminds us that God hears and responds to our cries. When discouragement tempts you to give up, remember that patient waiting on the Lord is never in vain, as this hopeful verse demonstrates.
It’s also important to remember that waiting for the Lord is not passive. We are to wait patiently, but not passively. While we wait, we expect God to show up. We keep our conscious attention on Him. That way, we don’t miss it when He does turn toward us and hear our cries.
Prayer Prompt: Lord God, I know you are always right on time. Help me to actively wait for what You are going to do in my life – in Your way and in Your timing. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: What are you waiting on God to do? Is your waiting active, or passive?
Journaling Exercise: How can you actively wait on God during discouraging times? How can you find hope in these and other important Bible verses?
10. Rest in God Alone
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” (Psalm 62:1, NIV)
In a world of constant noise, busyness, and pressure, Psalm 62 invites us to find true rest in God. When our souls are weary because of discouragement, we can turn to Him for salvation.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Himself told us to:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)
We, of course, think of oxen being joined together by a yoke when we read this scripture. But, in Jesus’ day, a rabbi’s yoke was His teaching. When we take up Jesus’ yoke, we’re taking up more than just a workload. We’re acknowledging that only He can give us the correct interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. We listen to His words, we watch how He lived, and then we decide to live forever in wholehearted obedience to Him. That’s where we find our rest.
Prayer Prompt: Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us the truth about what it means to be children of God. Thank You for offering us rest through Your life and work. Help us to follow You daily and learn to rest in You. It’s in Your name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: Have you committed to living in wholehearted obedience to Jesus and His teachings about God? Why, or why not?
Journaling Exercise: Describe what soul rest in God looks like for you, drawing from these encouraging Bible verses.
11. Bless the Lord, O My Soul
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm 103:1-2, NIV)
This psalm is a beautiful reminder of God’s compassion and forgiveness. When discouragement makes you forget God’s goodness, intentionally recall His benefits. This practice will naturally lead to engaging in praise and thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is an excellent antidote against anxiety and a precursor to peace (see Philippians 4:6-7).
Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me to remember and be thankful for Your many blessings, even in difficult times, as this scripture for hope and strength encourages. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: The many benefits and blessings of God are available to all of us who love Him. Cling to them when you are tempted to fall into despair or distress.
Journaling Exercise: Take a few minutes and write down at least five benefits of knowing God. You may find that once you start, you find it hard to stop. That’s a good thing. Just keep going till you can’t think of anything else.
12. God Hears My Cry for Mercy
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.” (Psalm 116:1, NIV)
Psalm 116 testifies to God’s attentiveness to our prayers. When discouragement makes you feel unheard, remember that God is listening and responding with love. His Word offers numerous Bible verses and stories from which we can derive encouragement and strength.
One of my favorite stories about God seeing and hearing someone who may have thought she didn’t deserve it was when He met Hagar in the wilderness (see Genesis 16 and 21). She’d been treated horribly by her mistress, Sarah, and cast aside (with God’s okay) by her master, Abraham. But God heard her cries, and He met her in the wilderness and reassured her that everything was going to work out. He gave her hope by being present with her.
Prayer Prompt: God, You are the One Who Sees Me (Genesis 16:13). Come near and let me experience Your presence like never before. Thank You for Your love and mercy. I claim it now and will walk in it all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: What Bible stories can you think of in which God shows His mercy to someone? Remember, grace is unmerited favor, which means God gives us something good we don’t deserve. But mercy is when God doesn’t give us something bad we definitely do deserve.
Journaling Exercise: How has God shown you mercy in the past? How can this encourage you now?
13. Out of the Depths I Cry
“Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice.” (Psalm 130:1-2, NIV)
Every time I read these verses, I think of The Sixth Sense. In one of the early scenes of the movie, Cole is meeting Malcolm at a church because Cole feels the church offers him protection he doesn’t get elsewhere. Cole uses this verse (in Latin) as one of the first communications he has with the psychiatrist.
As the use of this psalm in the movie suggests, these words speak to those who are in a deep pit of despair — those who seek hope in God’s forgiveness and redemption. When discouragement plunges you into darkness, cry out to God. Open up His Word and look for His encouragement and strength.
Prayer Prompt: Lord God, I cry out to You in the midst of my trouble and despair. Hear me, Lord, and save me. Grant me Your peace and comfort. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: What do “the depths” signify to you? How does it make you feel to know that God is watching and looking out for you, even when you feel you are far away from him?
Journaling Exercise: Write a heartfelt cry to God, expressing your current struggles and your hope in Him, drawing from these Bible verses for encouragement.
14. Gracious and Compassionate
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” (Psalm 145:8, NIV)
Psalm 145 celebrates God’s loving character and His faithfulness. When discouragement tries to distort your view of who God is, you can meditate on the truth this verse shows us about His nature. God is not against you. He is not mad at you. He loves you, and He is for you. Always.
Prayer Prompt: Glorious and gracious God, help me to see and experience Your compassion and love today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: Because God is eternal, His love never ends.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8, NIV)
And because Jesus is God, that means they both are completely unchangeable. We can trust in their constancy.
Journaling Exercise: Think about a past experience you’ve had of God’s love. Write, in detail, about what happened and how He showed up.
15. Let Everything Praise
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6, NIV)
The final psalm in the book is a call to jubilant praise. When you feel discouragement creeping in and trying to steal your joy, don’t let it. Stop it in its tracks. You can choose to praise God anyway, no matter what is going on around you. Lift your spirit up in worship to Him. Today, and every day.
Prayer Prompt: Lord God, I praise You because You are awesome and wonderful. You are more amazing than I will ever be able to comprehend while I’m here on this earth. Thank You for who You are and for all the ways You show Your love to me each day. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Reflection: What can you praise God for right now, despite your circumstances?
Journaling Exercise: Using the word “PRAISE,” write out five things about God that are worthy of praise. For example, He is Provider, Redeemer, Advocate, Immanuel, Savior, and Eternal.
As you continue to experience life’s ups and downs, keep leaning on these psalms as a constant source of encouragement. Let them remind you of God’s unfailing love, presence, and power. When discouragement threatens to overwhelm you, turn to these verses. Meditate on them, so that the words sink deep into your heart to bring you comfort, renew hope in your soul, and strengthen your trust in God.
Remember, you’re not alone in your struggles. King David and the other psalmists experienced deep emotions, including discouragement, as expressed in their writing. However, their psalms revealed how they always eventually turned to God. Read these words, and let them sink into your heart. In this way, the timeless wisdom of the psalms will guide you back to hope and joy in the Lord.
I hope and pray these scriptures will become a balm to your soul, a light in the midst of your darkness, and a spring of living water in times of drought. As you read, reflect, pray through them, and journal your heart’s response, remember that in every season – even the dark ones – God is with you. His Word is a never-failing source of encouragement and life.
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