A Few Psalms for Praying and Chanting
Psalm 23
You, O God, are my shepherd, I shall not want.
You make me lie down in green pastures;
you lead me beside still waters;
You restore my soul.
You lead me down right pathways in your name.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of God forever.
Psalm 42
As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for you, for the living God.
When shall I behold your face?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while voices ask, “Where is your God?”
Why are you so heavy, O my soul,
Why are you so weary within me?
Trust in God; for I shall praise that holy voice
and find my help in that holy face.
Psalm 139
O God, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
It was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; that I know well.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
Reach down into the depths of my heart
to lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 46 with antiphon
Leader God whispers to the heart, “Be still; I am with you.”
People God whispers to the heart, “Be still; I am with you.”
Leader God is our refuge and our strength,
a present help in times of trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth be moved and shaken.
People God whispers to the heart, “Be still; I am with you.”
Leader We will not fear
though the mountains be toppled into the sea,
though the depths of the waters rage and foam.
People God whispers to the heart, “Be still; I am with you.”
Leader “Be still, and know that I am God.”
God is with us,
God has spoken,
and the earth shall melt away.
People God whispers to the heart, “Be still; I am with you.”
Psalm 63 with antiphon
Leader In the shadow of your wings I rejoice, alleluia.
People In the shadow of your wings I rejoice, alleluia.
Leader O God, my God at dawn I seek you,
For you my soul is thirsting,
My flesh is longing,
Like a dry and parched land longs for water.
People In the shadow of your wings I rejoice, alleluia.
Leader I have gazed on you in the holy place
To behold your power and your glory.
Better than life itself is your love.
My lips will sing your praise.
People In the shadow of your wings I rejoice, alleluia.
Leader I rejoice in the shadow of your wings.
To you my soul has held fast,
You have sustained me by your right hand.
People In the shadow of your wings I rejoice, alleluia.
These versions of the Psalms have been adapted to be suitable for chanting. Find other adaptations in The Saint Helena Psalter, Stephen Mitchell, A Book of Psalms: Selected and Adapted from the Hebrew, and Nan Merrill, Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness. More information here. Or go to Bible Gateway for unabridged versions.