Praying with the Psalms
A very simple yet fundamental question is how to pray with the psalms?
Here is a very easy
way that requires little time or study. Simply choose a psalm at random and read it. Select one verse (a sentence) that speaks more
clearly to you. It isn’t hard to learn such a verse by heart. Try it. Then repeat the verse at will for one week: when rising from
bed or laying down for the night, before or after meals, while taking a walk or working or playing. The verse will grow on you, taking
on new meanings for you. You could keep a small journal to write down the chosen verse and the fruit of your reflections and meditations
during the week.
Catholics can choose to follow this process with the psalm that is sung every Sunday at
If you want to plunge more deeply into these ancient poetic texts, you have to acquire a minimum
of understanding of them. This is why I undertook this series of weekly commentaries, working my way through all one hundred and fifty
of them. I suggest you start by opening your bible, finding the psalm that I usually indicate at the top of my commentary and reading
it through. After this first reading, study my commentary closely, trying to find in the psalm the references I make to it in my article.
Also look up the references to the other biblical texts I quote so as to see them in their own context. Once you understand the commentary,
reread the psalm slowly to savour each of the verses that make it up.
You could stay with this psalm for the following week,
taking it up each day in meditative prayer. The four points of view I follow in my commentary can become as many perspectives in your
own meditation. Thus, you can read the psalm from the point of view of the psalmist in the context of ancient
May your reading lead you to more meaningful, personal and powerful prayer.