It only takes one look at the world around us to see that we are living in an overwhelming time in history. We are overwhelmed with heartache. Overwhelmed with information. Overwhelmed with education. Overwhelmed with conflict. Overwhelmed with relationship struggles. Overwhelmed with life. But God’s Word offers the help and hope we need in these uncertain days of overwhelm.
Sometimes when we are overwhelmed, we turn to friends for help, or family for support. But the one place we will find true help and support is at the feet of Jesus. So let’s go there. Let’s bow at His feet and pray these psalms in these overwhelming days.
Psalm 56 : I feel overwhelmed and need God’s protection.
Psalm 56:1-13 (NLT2)1 O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long.2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me.3 But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.4 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?5 They are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting to harm me.6 They come together to spy on me— watching my every step, eager to kill me.7 Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down.8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!10 I praise God for what he has promised; Yes, I praise the LORD for what he has promised.11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.13 For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.
Psalm 57: I feel overwhelmed and need God’s mercy.
Sometimes we have to admit that we need God’s mercy, This psalm is a prayer when you are overwhelmed.
Psalm 57:1-11 (NLT2)1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.3 He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. Interlude My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.4 I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey— whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.5 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. 6 My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it. Interlude
7 My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!8 Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.11 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.
Psalm 58: I feel overwhelmed and need God’s justice.
Your heart might feel overwhelmed and not even know what to pray. In Psalm 58 the psalmist expresses the heart’s cry of one who longs for justice. When you pray this psalm you are reminded about the truth that God’s righteousness always wins.
Psalm 58:1-11 (NLT2)1 Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly?2 No! You plot injustice in your hearts. You spread violence throughout the land.3 These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way.4 They spit venom like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen,5 ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play.6 Break off their fangs, O God! Smash the jaws of these lions, O LORD!7 May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands.8 May they be like snails that dissolve into slime, like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.9 God will sweep them away, both young and old, faster than a pot heats over burning thorns.10 The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.11 Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”
Psalm 59: I feel overwhelmed and need God’s defense.
When you are offended, Psalm 59 reminds us that God is our defender. We don’t always need to have the last word or share every thought that goes through our heads. Often the best thing we can do is simply tell God all about it.
Psalm 59:1-17 (NLT2)1 Rescue me from my enemies, O God. Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.2 Rescue me from these criminals; save me from these murderers.3 They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting, LORD, though I have not sinned or offended them.4 I have done nothing wrong, yet they prepare to attack me. Wake up! See what is happening and help me!5 O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, wake up and punish those hostile nations. Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude
6 They come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets.7 Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords. “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.8 But LORD, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations.9 You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.10 In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.11 Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees, O Lord our shield.12 Because of the sinful things they say, because of the evil that is on their lips, let them be captured by their pride, their curses, and their lies.13 Destroy them in your anger! Wipe them out completely! Then the whole world will know that God reigns in Israel. Interlude
14 My enemies come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets.15 They scavenge for food but go to sleep unsatisfied.16 But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.17 O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.
Psalm 60: I feel overwhelmed and need God’s help.
When times really get tough as it has this year you can’t come up with the words to speak. Psalm 60 fills in the blanks. You don’t need to have the perfect words and say them in the perfect way in order for God to answer . When we turn to God with a sincere heart, the words aren’t so much the key as is the heart.
Psalm 60:1-12 (NLT2)1 You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses. You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor.2 You have shaken our land and split it open. Seal the cracks, for the land trembles.3 You have been very hard on us, making us drink wine that sent us reeling.4 But you have raised a banner for those who fear you— a rallying point in the face of attack. Interlude
5 Now rescue your beloved people. Answer and save us by your power.6 God has promised this by his holiness: “I will divide up Shechem with joy. I will measure out the valley of Succoth.7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh, too. Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors, and Judah, my scepter, will produce my kings.8 But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant, and I will wipe my feet on Edom and shout in triumph over Philistia.”9 Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom?10 Have you rejected us, O God? Will you no longer march with our armies?11 Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless.12 With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.
Sometimes when we are overwhelmed, we turn to friends for help, or family for support. But the one place we will find true help and support is at the feet of Jesus. So let’s go there. Let’s bow at His feet and pray these psalms in these overwhelming days.
Psalm 56 : I feel overwhelmed and need God’s protection.
Psalm 56:1-13 (NLT2)1 O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long.2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me.3 But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.4 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?5 They are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting to harm me.6 They come together to spy on me— watching my every step, eager to kill me.7 Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down.8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!10 I praise God for what he has promised; Yes, I praise the LORD for what he has promised.11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.13 For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.
Psalm 57: I feel overwhelmed and need God’s mercy.
Sometimes we have to admit that we need God’s mercy, This psalm is a prayer when you are overwhelmed.
Psalm 57:1-11 (NLT2)1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.3 He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. Interlude My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.4 I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey— whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.5 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. 6 My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it. Interlude
7 My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!8 Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.11 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.
Psalm 58: I feel overwhelmed and need God’s justice.
Your heart might feel overwhelmed and not even know what to pray. In Psalm 58 the psalmist expresses the heart’s cry of one who longs for justice. When you pray this psalm you are reminded about the truth that God’s righteousness always wins.
Psalm 58:1-11 (NLT2)1 Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly?2 No! You plot injustice in your hearts. You spread violence throughout the land.3 These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way.4 They spit venom like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen,5 ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play.6 Break off their fangs, O God! Smash the jaws of these lions, O LORD!7 May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands.8 May they be like snails that dissolve into slime, like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.9 God will sweep them away, both young and old, faster than a pot heats over burning thorns.10 The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.11 Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”
Psalm 59: I feel overwhelmed and need God’s defense.
When you are offended, Psalm 59 reminds us that God is our defender. We don’t always need to have the last word or share every thought that goes through our heads. Often the best thing we can do is simply tell God all about it.
Psalm 59:1-17 (NLT2)1 Rescue me from my enemies, O God. Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.2 Rescue me from these criminals; save me from these murderers.3 They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting, LORD, though I have not sinned or offended them.4 I have done nothing wrong, yet they prepare to attack me. Wake up! See what is happening and help me!5 O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, wake up and punish those hostile nations. Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude
6 They come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets.7 Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords. “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.8 But LORD, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations.9 You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.10 In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.11 Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees, O Lord our shield.12 Because of the sinful things they say, because of the evil that is on their lips, let them be captured by their pride, their curses, and their lies.13 Destroy them in your anger! Wipe them out completely! Then the whole world will know that God reigns in Israel. Interlude
14 My enemies come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets.15 They scavenge for food but go to sleep unsatisfied.16 But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.17 O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.
Psalm 60: I feel overwhelmed and need God’s help.
When times really get tough as it has this year you can’t come up with the words to speak. Psalm 60 fills in the blanks. You don’t need to have the perfect words and say them in the perfect way in order for God to answer . When we turn to God with a sincere heart, the words aren’t so much the key as is the heart.
Psalm 60:1-12 (NLT2)1 You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses. You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor.2 You have shaken our land and split it open. Seal the cracks, for the land trembles.3 You have been very hard on us, making us drink wine that sent us reeling.4 But you have raised a banner for those who fear you— a rallying point in the face of attack. Interlude
5 Now rescue your beloved people. Answer and save us by your power.6 God has promised this by his holiness: “I will divide up Shechem with joy. I will measure out the valley of Succoth.7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh, too. Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors, and Judah, my scepter, will produce my kings.8 But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant, and I will wipe my feet on Edom and shout in triumph over Philistia.”9 Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom?10 Have you rejected us, O God? Will you no longer march with our armies?11 Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless.12 With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.
Psalm 61: I feel overwhelmed and need God’s answer.
Have you ever tried to make a deal with God by promising to do this or that if He would just answer your prayer. More important than hearing an answer is abiding with God day by day. God may have a different or a better plan. Pray Psalm 62 while you wait.
Psalm 61:1-8 (NLT2)1 O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer!2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,3 for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude
5 For you have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.6 Add many years to the life of the king! May his years span the generations!7 May he reign under God’s protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him.8 Then I will sing praises to your name forever as I fulfill my vows each day.
Psalm 62: I feel overwhelmed and need God’s strength.
When you’re overwhelmed you are often weary and tired. Tired of waiting. Tired of wanting. Tired of praying. Tired of the daily grind of trying to do right. Just tired.
Psalm 62 reminds you where your strength comes from.
Psalm 62:1-12 (NLT2)1 I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.3 So many enemies against one man— all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence.4 They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Interlude
5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude
9 Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air.10 Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.11 God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you;12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done.
When you pray the psalms you don’t have to wait for church or rely on someone else to communicate with God for you. You have free access through the blood of Jesus to communicate with your heavenly father.
Let Jesus lighten the load .
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT2)7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
NOTE: Emphasis mine
Have you ever tried to make a deal with God by promising to do this or that if He would just answer your prayer. More important than hearing an answer is abiding with God day by day. God may have a different or a better plan. Pray Psalm 62 while you wait.
Psalm 61:1-8 (NLT2)1 O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer!2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,3 for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude
5 For you have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.6 Add many years to the life of the king! May his years span the generations!7 May he reign under God’s protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him.8 Then I will sing praises to your name forever as I fulfill my vows each day.
Psalm 62: I feel overwhelmed and need God’s strength.
When you’re overwhelmed you are often weary and tired. Tired of waiting. Tired of wanting. Tired of praying. Tired of the daily grind of trying to do right. Just tired.
Psalm 62 reminds you where your strength comes from.
Psalm 62:1-12 (NLT2)1 I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.3 So many enemies against one man— all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence.4 They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Interlude
5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude
9 Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air.10 Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.11 God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you;12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done.
When you pray the psalms you don’t have to wait for church or rely on someone else to communicate with God for you. You have free access through the blood of Jesus to communicate with your heavenly father.
Let Jesus lighten the load .
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT2)7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
NOTE: Emphasis mine
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