To help you use the Psalms as outlines, guidelines and inspiration for prayer, all of the 150 Psalms are categorized below; there are no duplications.
I. Kindling wood for the fires of prayer when it’s tough to get started
A. When unmotivated (inspiring prayers)
B. When feeling faithless (great reminders of the basis of our faith)
| Psalm 48 | Psalm 74 | Psalm 77 | Psalm 78 | Psalm 81 | Psalm 105 |
| Psalm 106 | Psalm 111 | Psalm 119 |
II. Learning how to worship, praise and give thanks to God
A. Adoration and praise, worship and thanks
| Psalm 8 | Psalm 9 | Psalm 24 | Psalm 29 | Psalm 45 | Psalm 47 |
| Psalm 87 | Psalm 92-93 | Psalm 95-96 | Psalm 98-99 | Psalm 100 | Psalm 117 |
| Psalm 104 | Psalm 113 | Psalm 133-135 | Psalm 136 | Psalm 146-150 |
B. Special affection to God (some of the most intimate prayers)
III. Where to turn in the Psalms when feeling overwhelmed or discouraged
A. When overwhelmed (need to trust God)
| Psalm 16 | Psalm 17 | Psalm 20 | Psalm 28 | Psalm 33 | Psalm 37 |
| Psalm 57 | Psalm 62 | Psalm 112 | Psalm 122 | Psalm 125 | Psalm 143 |
B. When afraid (need your fears calmed)
C. When feeling guilty about sin and needing to get open and confess
D. When feeling disciplined by God
| Psalm 6 | Psalm 44 | Psalm 60 | Psalm 66 | Psalm 85 | Psalm 89 |
| Psalm 102 | Psalm 108 | Psalm 137 |
E. How to cry out to God for help
IV. God, help me to overcome!
A. When fighting worldliness
| Psalm 11 | Psalm 49 | Psalm 52-53 | Psalm 58 | Psalm 73 | Psalm 101 |
B. When struggling with sin
| Psalm 4-5 | Psalm 7 | Psalm 13 | Psalm 25 | Psalm 31 | Psalm 39-41 |
| Psalm 65 | Psalm 79-80 |
C. When dealing with persecution
| Psalm 2 | Psalm 22 | Psalm 54 | Psalm 59 | Psalm 64 | Psalm 69 |
| Psalm 83 | Psalm 94 | Psalm 109 | Psalm 120 | Psalm 129 | Psalm 140 |
D. How to humble yourself before God
| Psalm 14-15 | Psalm 36 | Psalm 50 | Psalm 51 | Psalm 71 | Psalm 75 |
| Psalm 76 | Psalm 90 | Psalm 97 | Psalm 114 | Psalm 128 | Psalm 131 |
V. How to rely more on God for victory
A. God gives the victory!
| Psalm 21 | Psalm 30 | Psalm 35 | Psalm 67 | Psalm 126 | Psalm 127 | Psalm 144 |
B. God enables us to lead (when needing courage, confidence)
| Psalm 61 | Psalm 68 | Psalm 72 | Psalm 110 | Psalm 115 | Psalm 121 |
| Psalm 123 | Psalm 124 | Psalm 138 |
Resource from:
Jeff Chacon,
Tampa Bay, FL
The Leader’s Resource Handbook, Volume 1
