Psalms for the Morning: Beginning the Day with God
Five psalms that are especially suited to morning prayer, and why starting the day in the Psalms matters.
How we begin the day often shapes the whole of it. The Psalms give us words to start with God rather than with our phones, our worries, or our to-do lists. Here are five psalms especially suited to the morning.
Psalm 5 is an explicit morning prayer: "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." It sets the day’s direction upward.
Psalm 19 begins with creation’s witness and turns to God’s Word, asking that our words and meditations be acceptable. Psalm 63 seeks God early and thirsts for Him. Psalm 121 lifts the eyes to the hills and trusts the Keeper for the day. Psalm 118 rejoices in the day the Lord has made.
Beginning the day with a psalm is a small habit with large effects. It tunes the heart before the world has a chance to, and it places the day in the hands of the One who made it.
Related Psalms
Psalm 5
“Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.”
A morning prayer seeking God’s leading and rejoicing in His protection.
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“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”
God revealed in creation and Scripture, ending in a prayer of surrender.
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