Reading Psalms According to the Most Common Spiritual and Life Needs

By The European Times | Created at 2026-07-18 16:47:08 | Updated at 2026-08-02 17:23:19 2 weeks ago

The Orthodox tradition has special Psalms for every need of the soul, the most popular guide among which was compiled by St. Arsenius of Cappadocia and pop…

The Orthodox tradition has special Psalms for every need of the soul, the most popular guide among which was compiled by St. Arsenius of Cappadocia and popularized by St. Paisius of Athos.

Here are selected psalms according to the most common spiritual and life needs, as described by the saint:

• Peace of mind, sadness and despondency: Psalm 3, Psalm 4

• For enlightenment, making the right decisions and success in undertakings: Psalm 2, Psalm 1

• Fear and protection from enemies or ill-wishers: Psalm 35, Psalm 62, Psalm 11

• Illnesses, physical and mental healing: Psalm 5, Psalm 28

• Finding a job, help in poverty and despair: Psalm 38

• Parental care, protection and upbringing of children: Psalm 22, Psalm 109

• Family peace and understanding between spouses: Psalm 126

• Spiritual repentance and gratitude to God: Psalm 50, Psalm 149

It is always advisable to read in a prayerful mood, before and after the psalm says: “Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…”

If you have a specific need or want a psalm for a specific situation that is not listed, please share it. I can direct you to the exact texts of Holy Scripture that will bring you spiritual relief.

The Psalter as a tribune according to the Venerable Arsenius of Cappadocia, expounded by St. Paisius of Athos

The Venerable Arsenius used the psalms for a blessing appropriate in various cases; especially in those cases when there was no church service for a certain need. The Greek original can be found in the edition “Elder Paisius” by Hieromonk Christodoul, 1994 “Reading the Psalter in Various Cases”:

Psalm 1. When you plant a tree or a vine, that it may bear fruit.

Psalm 2. May the Lord enlighten those who go to meetings and councils.

Psalm 3. May malice leave people and they not unjustly torment their neighbors.

Psalm 4. May the Lord heal the soft-hearted, falling into despair at the sight of the deeds of the cruel-hearted.

Psalm 5. May the Lord heal the eyes wounded by evildoers.

Psalm 6. May the Lord free those under oath.

Psalm 7. For those tormented by fear from the plots and threats of evildoers.

Psalm 8. For those wounded by demons or wicked people.

Psalm 9. May demonic fears in a dream or temptations during the day cease.

Psalm 10. For cruel-hearted spouses when they quarrel and divorce (when a cruel-hearted husband or wife torments his wife or husband).

Psalm 11. For the mentally ill, who are tormented by malice and attack their neighbors.

Psalm 12. For those suffering from liver diseases.

Psalm 13. When attacked by demons, read for three days, three times a day.

Psalm 14. That thieves or robbers may turn, return to their homes and repent.

Psalm 15. That the lost key may be found.

Psalm 16. When severely unjust accusations are read for three days, three times a day.

Psalm 17. In earthquakes, other disasters, or a thunderstorm.

Psalm 18. That a woman may give birth.

Psalm 19. For barren spouses, may the Lord heal them and not divorce.

Psalm 20. That the Lord may soften the hearts of the rich, so that they may give alms to the poor.

Psalm 21. May the Lord stop the fire and there will be no great damage.

Psalm 22. May the Lord calm disobedient children, so that they do not grieve their parents.

Psalm 23. May the door be opened when the key is lost.

Psalm 24. For those severely tormented by temptations, who lose their peace and complain.

Psalm 25. When someone asks something of God, may He grant what we pray for, without harm to the one praying.

Psalm 26. May the Lord protect the peasants from the enemy war, so that there is no harm to the people and the fields.

Psalm 27. May the Lord heal those suffering from mental and nervous diseases.

Psalm 28. For those suffering from seasickness and those afraid of a stormy sea.

Psalm 29. In dangers in distant lands, among barbarians and godless people, may the Lord protect them and enlighten and calm the people in these lands, so that they may know God.

Psalm 30. May the Lord send enough grain and fruit when the weather is unfavorable for agriculture.

Psalm 31. May the lost and confused travelers find their way.

Psalm 32. May the Lord discover justice for those unjustly convicted and set them free.

Psalm 33. For those who are on the verge of death, when they are tormented by demons. Or when the enemy invades with sinister intentions.

Psalm 34. May the Lord deliver the good from the snares of the evil ones, who trouble God’s servants.

Psalm 35. May hostility be dispersed after disputes and misunderstandings.

Psalm 36. For those wounded by robbers.

Psalm 37. For toothache.

Psalm 38. May the abandoned and despondent find work, so that they may no longer grieve.

Psalm 39. May the owner and the employee reconcile after a quarrel.

Psalm 40. For a safe release from pregnancy, when childbirth is premature.

Psalm 41. For the young, when they suffer from unhappy love.

Psalm 42. May compatriots be freed from enemy captivity.

Psalm 43. May the Lord reveal the truth to spouses if there has been a misunderstanding between them, so that they may live in peace and love.

Psalm 44. For those suffering from heart or kidney diseases.

Psalm 45. For young people whom enemies out of envy do not allow to marry.

Psalm 46. So that the worker or the owner may reconcile, when the worker leaves offended by the owner, and find work.

Psalm 47. When gangs of robbers rob people or severe disasters occur, to be read for 40 days.

Psalm 48. For those whose work is associated with dangers.

Psalm 49. That those who have strayed from God may repent and turn to be saved.

Psalm 50. When, because of our sins, God sends punishment for admonition (a plague on people or animals).

Psalm 51. May the hard-hearted rulers repent and their hearts soften, so that they will stop torturing the people.

Psalm 52. May God bless the nets, and they will be filled with fish.

Psalm 53. May the Lord enlighten the rich who bought slaves, and let them go free.

Psalm 54. May the good name of the family that has been unjustly accused be restored.

Psalm 55. For the soft-hearted people who have been hurt by their neighbors.

Psalm 56. For those suffering from a headache resulting from severe grief.

Psalm 57. May circumstances be favorable for those who work with good intentions, and may the Lord rebuke demons and evil people.

Psalm 58. May the Lord give the gift of speech to the mute.

Psalm 59. May the Lord reveal the truth when many people are unjustly condemned.

Psalm 60. For those who find it difficult to work due to fear or laziness.

Psalm 61. May the Lord deliver the weak from calamities, so that they do not complain.

Psalm 62. May the fields and trees bear fruit in drought.

Psalm 63. When a mad dog or wolf bites someone.

Psalm 64. May merchants prosper.

Psalm 65. May the wicked not bring discord into the house and not throw the family into sorrow.

Psalm 66. For the blessing of the domestic cattle.

Psalm 67. May the woman suffering from miscarriage be healed.

Psalm 68. When rivers come from the rains and carry away people and houses.

Psalm 69. For the meek-hearted, who grieve over small things and fall into despair, may the Lord strengthen them.

Psalm 70. For the lonely, who because of the wiles of the devil have annoyed their loved ones and fall into despair, may the Lord have mercy on them and heal them.

Psalm 71. May God bless the new harvest.

Psalm 72. May the robbers repent.

Psalm 73. May the Lord protect the peasants who work in the field when the enemy has surrounded the village.

Psalm 74. May the evil owner be appeased and not torment his neighbors, the workers.

Psalm 75. For mothers suffering in childbirth, may the Lord strengthen and protect them.

Psalm 76. When there is no mutual understanding between parents and children, may the Lord enlighten them, so that children listen to their parents, and parents love their children.

Psalm 77. May the Lord enlighten the lenders, so that they are compassionate and do not extort debtors.

Psalm 78. May the Lord protect the village from the plunder of enemy troops.

Psalm 79. May the Lord heal the one suffering from dropsy.

Psalm 80. May the Lord not abandon the poor in need and sorrow, falling into despair because of their poverty.

Psalm 81. May people buy goods from the peasants, so that the latter do not fall into sorrow and despair.

Psalm 82. May the Lord forbid the evildoers who plot murder.

Psalm 83. May the Lord preserve the household furnishings, livestock, and the fruits of labor.

Psalm 84. May the Lord heal those wounded by robbers and those suffering from fear.

Psalm 85. May the Lord save the world when a plague comes and people die.

Psalm 86. May the Lord prolong the lives of those family members without whom others cannot live.

Psalm 87. May the Lord protect the defenseless, suffering from cruel-hearted neighbors.

Psalm 88. May the Lord strengthen the sick and the weak, so that they do not tire out in work and do not fall into despondency.

Psalm 89. May the Lord send rain in the dry season and fill the dry springs.

Psalm 90. May the demon that appears before man and frightens him disappear.

Psalm 91. May the Lord give prudence to people, so that they may grow spiritually.

Psalm 92. May the Lord protect the ship that is in danger at sea. (The venerable also advised sprinkling the ship with holy water on all four sides.)

Psalm 93. May the Lord enlighten the troublemakers who sow discord among the people and cause unrest and divisions.

Psalm 94. May spouses not fall under the influence of magic spells that incite them to argue and quarrel.

Psalm 95. May the Lord heal the deaf.

Psalm 96. May the spells be dispelled.

Psalm 97. May the Lord comfort those tormented by sorrow.

Psalm 98. May God bless the young people who want to leave everything and follow Him, and grant them grace. (It seems that this refers to those preparing to take monastic tonsure ¬ note transl.)

Psalm 99. May the Lord bless those who do His will and fulfill their desires.

Psalm 100. May the Lord give gifts and talents to good and simple-hearted people.

Psalm 101. May the Lord bless those in power, so that they may be good and compassionate and help people.

Psalm 102. May the Lord help the woman suffering from female weakness.

Psalm 103. May the Lord bless the property of people, so that they may not fall into despondency, but glorify God.

Psalm 104. May people repent and confess their sins.

Psalm 105. May the Lord enlighten people so that they do not deviate from the path of salvation.

Psalm 106. May the Lord heal the barren.

Psalm 107. May the Lord silence enemies and make them abandon their evil intentions.

Psalm 108. May the Lord heal the epileptic. And have mercy on those who unjustly accuse them, so that they may repent.

Psalm 109. May the young respect the elderly.

Psalm 110. May the unjust judges repent and judge God’s people fairly.

Psalm 111. May the Lord protect the soldiers going to war.

Psalm 112. May the Lord bless the poor widow so that she may pay her debts and be saved from prison.

Psalm 113. May the Lord heal feeble-minded children.

Psalm 114. May the Lord bless the poor children and comfort them, so that they do not suffer from the rich children and do not fall into despondency.

Psalm 115. May the Lord heal from the terrible passion of lies.

Psalm 116. May love be preserved in the family and glorify God.

Psalm 117. May the Lord humble the barbarians when they surround the village and instill fear in the inhabitants, and turn them away from their evil intentions.

Psalm 118. May the Lord instill fear in the barbarians and forbid them to kill innocent women and children.

Psalm 119. May the Lord grant long-suffering to those who are forced to live with the wicked and unrighteous.

Psalm 120. May the Lord protect the slaves from the hands of the enemy, so that they are not maimed before they are freed.

Psalm 121. May the Lord heal those suffering from superstition.

Psalm 122. May the Lord heal the blind and those suffering from eye diseases.

Psalm 123. May the Lord protect people from snakes, so that they do not bite them.

Psalm 124. May the Lord protect the fields of the righteous from evil people.

Psalm 125. May the Lord heal those suffering from head diseases.

Psalm 126. May the Lord bring peace to the family, if a misunderstanding has arisen.

Psalm 127. May the malice of enemies not touch the home and may God’s peace and blessing abide in the family.

Psalm 128. May the Lord heal those suffering from migraines. And may He show His mercy to the hard-hearted and intemperate, who cause grief to the soft-hearted.

Psalm 129. May the Lord send courage and hope to those who are starting a new job and are inexperienced in it, so that they do not experience great difficulties.

Psalm 130. May the Lord grant repentance to people and comfort them with hope, so that they may be saved.

Psalm 131. May the Lord reveal His mercy in the world, where wars do not stop because of our sins.

Psalm 132. May the Lord enlighten the nations, so that they may become peace-loving and live in peace.

Psalm 133. May the Lord protect people from every calamity.

Psalm 134. May people concentrate during prayer and their souls unite with God.

Psalm 135. May the Lord protect refugees when they leave their homes and flee, and may they be saved from barbarians.

Psalm 136. May the Lord calm the hot-tempered.

Psalm 137. May the Lord enlighten the rulers, so that they may understand the needs of the people.

Psalm 138. May the Lord deliver the weak in spirit from the temptation of blasphemous thoughts.

Psalm 139. May the Lord calm the harsh character of the head of the family, so that the household will not suffer from him.

Psalm 140. May the Lord calm the cruel ruler, tormenting his neighbors.

Psalm 141. May the Lord calm the troublemaker, causing trouble to the people.

Psalm 142. May the Lord protect the pregnant woman, so that she does not lose her fetus.

Psalm 143. May the Lord calm the ferment among the people, so that there are no riots.

Psalm 144. May God bless the labors of people and accept them.

Psalm 145. May the Lord heal those suffering from bleeding.

Psalm 146. May the Lord heal those bitten and wounded by evildoers.

Psalm 147. May the Lord calm wild beasts, so that they do not cause harm to people and the economy.

Psalm 148. May the Lord send favorable weather so that people may gather a rich harvest and glorify Him.

(All the above interpretations belong to the Venerable Arsenius, and the next two to St. Paisius of Athos).

Psalm 149. In gratitude to God for His rich mercies and for the abundance of His love, which is boundless and abides with us.

Psalm 150. May the Lord send prosperity and comfort to our brothers and sisters living in distant lands, and to our deceased brothers and sisters who are even further away from us. Amen.

The Psalms can be read by both the priest and any believer.

Psalm Index

Agriculture: 1, 26, 30, 52, 62, 66, 71, 83, 124, 147, 148.

Hostile animals: 63, 123, 147.

Children: 22, 76, 109, 113, 114.

Death and the deceased: 33, 150.

Disasters: 17, 21, 30, 50, 62, 68, 85, 89.

Physical health: 5, 12, 28, 36, 37, 44, 56, 58, 63, 79, 86, 88, 95, 102, 108, 122, 125, 128, 145, 146.

Mental health: 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 24, 27, 41, 55, 56, 60, 61, 69, 70, 80, 81, 84, 97, 100, 103, 128, 136, 138.

Women’s health: 18, 19, 40, 67, 75, 106, 142, 145.

Laws and government: 14, 16, 32, 36, 47, 51, 59, 72, 82, 84, 93, 101, 108, 110, 137, 140, 141, 143.

From unclean spirits: 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 33, 57, 65, 90, 94, 96, 121.