Writing your own psalm is easy: Just follow the 4 R’s…

Record your present feeling/emotion, or situation….

Examples from Psalms:

-Psalm 119:53 (HCSB): “Rage seizes me because of the wicked who reject Your instruction…”

-Psalm 119:143 (NIV): “Trouble and distress have come upon me…”

-Psalm 119:81-84 (NIV): “My soul faints with longing for your salvation… My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, ‘When will you comfort me?’… How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors?”

Psalm 119:28 (NIV): “My soul is weary with sorrow…”

Examples:

-“I’m scared and anxious about the state of the world…”

-“I’m confused and filled with doubt…”

-“I feel spiritually dry today…”

-“I’m excited about this next season that You’ve put before me…”

2. Recall a time or times when God has helped you in the past.

Examples from Psalms:

-Psalm 119:50-52 (NIV): “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law. I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them.”

– Psalm 119:53-54 (HCSB): “Rage seizes me because of the wicked who reject Your instruction. Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life.”

Examples:

-“You’ve always been there for me when I feel overwhelmed.”

-”You helped me to get through final exams last semester.”

-“You rescued me when I was at my lowest.”

-“You confirmed the calling You have for my life so clearly.”

3. Restate your understanding of who God is and how he helps you.

Examples from Psalms:

-Psalm 3:3 (NIV): “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.”

-Psalm 120:1 (NIV): “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.”

-Psalm 121:5 (NIV): “The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand.”
-Psalm 124:2-5 (NIV): “if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.”

Examples:

-“You are the God who never quits on me, no matter what I do.”

-“Your Word gives me peace in the most difficult moments.”

-“When grief over the loss of my loved one began to engulf me, You spoke to me through a friend and gave me comfort.”

4. Resolve to trust in God and let Him work through you.

Examples from Psalms:

-Psalm 13:3-6 (NIV): “Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’ and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.”

-Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT): “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. 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?”

Examples:

“Even though I can’t see the solution to my marriage, I will trust in You to be faithful like You always have.”

-“My health is failing me, but I know You continue to renew my spirit and I know You are working great things through it all. I trust in Your will and Your promises.”

“As I step out in faith, I know You are with me and I know You will guide my every step.”