Psalms for Strength: 8 Psalms for Courage in Hard Times

When our own strength runs out, the psalms point us to the strength that does not fail: “I will love thee, O Lord, my strength: The Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer.” Below are eight psalms for strength and courage, each with its key verses in the Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible, a short explanation, and a link to the full psalm where we have one, followed by a prayer for strength.

1. Psalm 18: the Lord my strength

I will love thee, O Lord, my strength:
The Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer. My God is my helper, and in him will I put my trust. My protector and the horn of my salvation, and my support.

David’s song of thanksgiving after God rescued him from his enemies: God is rock, fortress and deliverer (Psalm 17 in the Douay-Rheims).

2. Psalm 28: my helper and protector

The Lord is my helper and my protector: in him hath my heart confided, and I have been helped. And my flesh hath flourished again, and with my will I will give praise to him.

Strength renewed by trust: “my flesh hath flourished again” (Psalm 27 in the Douay-Rheims).

3. Psalm 46: refuge and strength

Our God is our refuge and strength: a helper in troubles, which have found us exceedingly.
Therefore we will not fear, when the earth shall be troubled; and the mountains shall be removed into the heart of the sea.

God is our strength when everything around us is shaken. Read the full Psalm 46.

4. Psalm 27: take courage

Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.

Courage is patient: it waits for the Lord. Read the full Psalm 27.

5. Psalm 31: be strong, all who hope in the Lord

Do ye manfully, and let your heart be strengthened, all ye that hope in the Lord.

The last verse of the psalm Jesus prayed on the Cross. Read the full Psalm 31.

6. Psalm 73: God, the strength of my heart

For thee my flesh and my heart hath fainted away: thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion for ever.

When body and heart fail, God remains our portion for ever (Psalm 72 in the Douay-Rheims).

7. Psalm 84: from strength to strength

Blessed is the man whose help is from thee: in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps,
In the vale of tears, in the place which he hath set.
For the lawgiver shall give a blessing, they shall go from virtue to virtue: the God of gods shall be seen in Sion.

Pilgrims who rely on God “go from virtue to virtue,” growing stronger on the way. Read the full Psalm 84.

8. Psalm 118: the Lord is my strength

The Lord is my strength and my praise: and he is become my salvation.

The Easter psalm of victory. Read the full Psalm 118.

How to pray for strength

Admit your weakness. God’s strength works best in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Choose one verse for the day and repeat it in difficult moments.
Receive the sacraments: the Eucharist is food for the journey, and Confirmation gives the gift of fortitude. See the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Pray with others and ask for their prayers.

A prayer for strength

Written for this page:

Lord, you are my strength, my rock and my deliverer.
When I am weak, be my strength; when I am afraid, give me courage.
Let me wait for you with a brave heart,
and go from strength to strength until I see you in glory. Amen.

Frequently asked questions

What psalm gives strength?

Psalm 18 (“I will love thee, O Lord, my strength”), Psalm 46 (“God is our refuge and strength”), Psalm 27 and Psalm 118 are favorite psalms for strength and courage.

Why are the psalm numbers different in Catholic Bibles?

Older Catholic Bibles follow the Greek and Latin numbering, usually one lower than the Hebrew numbering used in most modern Bibles.

More prayers for strength

Texts and sources

Scripture: Psalms 17 (18), 27 (28), 45 (46), 26 (27), 30 (31), 72 (73), 83 (84), 117 (118); 2 Corinthians 12:9, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
The prayer was written for this page.