Joy!
1, 4, 19, 20, 23, 25, 27, 46, 63, 91, 103, 111, 127, 131, 139 – these are the Psalms that I have memorized in 50 years as a follower of Jesus.
Following Jesus hasn’t been a straight-up rise to glory. It’s been more of a step into the muck and then a lesson learned, followed by growth; then a step into the mire and another lesson learned; and then another step into….
I keep stepping into things that take away my joy. The Psalms have brought deliverance over and over.
My joy has increased through the years. I continue to fight confusion, depression, discouragement, comparing myself with others, and frustration. I often wonder why God doesn’t answer my prayers. I am disappointed in other followers. The list goes on.
During the lows, I found a Psalm that has been key to victory at that time. My downs have been allowed by God, enabling me to learn, grow, and draw closer to Jesus.
I have memorized 15 Psalms.
Sum it up, and it’s a confession of 15 significant valleys in my faith during 50 years of following Jesus. I began my upward growth by seeing a single verse in a Psalm that lifted my spirit.
So, I memorized the entire Psalm.
The 15 Psalms listed contain my 15 life-saver verses. These Psalms renewed my upward path and fortified my faith against further attack.
Psalm 1:3 ~ He will be firmly planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in its season.
Psalm 4:7 ~ You have put gladness in my heart.
Psalm 19:1 ~ The heavens are telling of the glory of God.
Psalm 20:4 ~ May He grant you your heart’s desire and answer all of your prayers!
Psalm 23:4 ~ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.
Psalm 25:7 ~ Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions, according to Your lovingkindness remember me.
Psalm 27:1 ~ The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
Psalm 46:7, 11 ~ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Psalm 63:6-7 ~ When I remember You on my bed; when I meditate on You in the night watches, I find that You are my help!!! (This is the OG version.)
Psalm 91:11 ~ He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 103:3-5 ~ God forgives your sins; heals your diseases; drags your life from the pit; restores your health, ministry, and relationships again and again; makes your last years the best years – so that you will finish – soaring like an eagle. (Again, the OG version.)
Psalm 111:7-8 ~ The works of the Lord are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure. They are upheld forever and ever.
Psalm 127:1 ~ Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.
Psalm 131:1 ~ My heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me.
Psalm 139:23-24 ~ Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any harmful way in me; and lead me in the everlasting way.
That’s my list. Powerful verses that gave me deliverance in difficulty. Feel free to use my list or…
Develop your own!