52 Weeks Through the Psalms: A One-Year Journey of Prayer and Praise

by James Merritt

Experience God's Compassion and Glorious Character in Your Life The book of Psalms is often our first choice when we're searching for comfort, mercy, or reassurance. The meeting of human emotions and divine love shines bright in every chapter. From the author of 52 Weeks with Jesus and 52 Weeks Through the Bible comes an insightful and inspiring journey through select portions of the Psalms. As you spend time contemplating the holy words of Scripture, you'll gain new levels of... Enrich your relationship with the Lord of your life as you find new reasons and ways to come before him in prayer and praise.

Genres: Christian, Devotional, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2017

About the author

James Merritt (PhD) is a pastor, author, and host of the Touching Lives television program, seen nationwide and in 122 countries. Previously, he served as a two-term president of America’s largest Christian denomination. As a national voice on faith and leadership, Merritt has been interviewed by outlets including Time, Fox News, MSNBC, and 60 Minutes. He resides with his family outside Atlanta, Georgia.

Reviews

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was just like reading The Word for Today devotional in a slightly longer format but designed for weekly use rather than daily use! Even some of the analogies and anecdotal stories Merritt shared were exactly the same. It's got that same encouraging, comforting - and occasionally, challenging - flavour.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

52 Weeks through the Psalms is more than a devotional. Not only is this a journey through the Psalms, but it also includes a look at other scriptures that relate to the Psalms. It is a not a book to rush through. But is also a book filled with a wealth of wisdom waiting to be discovered through time and contemplation. It is designed for reader to choose for themselves how long or little to spend on a daily basis. I found some positive things I liked about this book. I know it will provide comfort and insight to those who choose to read 52 weeks through the Psalms.
The book is organized to provide one Psalm or specific verses as primary focus for the week. Quite a bit of time is spent on the 23rd Psalm. Included in each chapter are five short reads to be used as a daily meditation during the week which provide more insight into the Psalms. At the end of the chapter is a prayer for the week along with a question to further apply the Psalm to personal life. The author also provides additional scripture references to read with the Psalm.
I found myself wishing that rather than a list of scripture at the beginning of each chapter, that the relevant scripture would be disbursed throughout each chapter noted with the specific devotion for the day. It is well written book. It is obvious a lot of research and effort was taken to provide an inspirational journey to those willing to devote a year through the Psalms. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author James Merritt is a pastor and teacher who shares so much knowledge in this unique book. Since I’m so familiar with the Psalms, I really enjoyed the way he shares so many facts and historical details to enrich my understanding. I’ll give you some examples of his wisdom on Psalm 23:

-A sheep can suffocate if it falls down. The shepherd must help it up or it will suffer and die, just as we cannot survive without God’s rescue.
-To restore a fallen sheep, the shepherd must massage the sheep’s legs, turn the sheep over to take pressure off the stomach, and speak in reassuring tones to calm the sheep. God’s care for us is personal and tender.
-The shepherd’s rod could kill predators and his staff would corral wayward sheep. God’s Word protects and guides us.
-If a certain fly lands in a sheep’s nose, the larva will drive the sheep mad and cause it to starve. By anointing the sheep’s head with oil, the shepherd healed the sheep, just as God heals us.

I could give many more examples of the useful, practical applications in this book. It’s been a joy to read, and anyone who wants to learn more about the Psalms would love it.

Thanks goes out to Netgalley for a free review copy of this book.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

52 Weeks through the Psalms is so enlightening. The author is so knowledgeable. He makes you want to get up everyday and spend your quality time with your LORD and SAVIOR. He also makes you want to read the book in the New Testament where it matched what David said. . He also doesn't have you just read Psalms he also has you read other Scriptures to pull the whole Bible together like today - in Psalms David wrote about CHRIST and what HE was going to go through and he showed in the New Testament where it matched what David had said in the Psalms.. It is an awesome book and a must read - I can't wait for my devotions every morning. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.

if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com

[Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written devotional pertaining to Psalms, which is not a common book to have as a dedicated devotional. I used the book as a daily devotional, since the chapters take only 10 minutes to read and the book doesn’t provide guidance as to how to dwell on one chapter a week. I guess one could plan to read a chapter once a week or daily.

When I finished the book, I had highlighted 7% of the book! There were a lot of great stories, insights and applicable quotes that are worth reading again. The chapters pertaining to a shepherd and Ps 23 were excellent. Worth using as a daily or weekly devotional.

[Shannon Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 52 week study through the Psalms is incredibly versatile and a great addition to your daily study time. There are fifty-two chapters divided into five segments with scripture passage, that you may divide into one section a day or read all five segments in one sitting. Each chapter also ends with a prayer and a question you can use to journal. This book is also great to use as a cross reference, as I am writing a Psalm a day, I have been able to use this book as a companion to search the particular Psalm and go a little deeper.

[Crafty Cristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the book did not take me 52 weeks to read, it was a delightful and thought provoking read. Several of the chapters were so good that I shared them with my children. I found it well written and doctrinally true.

[John Pitcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weekly Comfort

I’ve been reading books with 52 chapters for several years now and this is my second in a row by this author. I hope he writes another one. However in 2026 I will be reading a daily devotional.

[Rebecca Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

52 weeks through the Psalms is an amazing devotional book. I enjoyed reading and learning about the book of Psalms.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a vast improvement on the Bible through the year devotional as the readings are done in a more obvious way.
The readings are better laid out and the accompanying verses are beside them. I would read all that weeks readings the first time and then the psalms every day I remained in that section of the book. The prayer for the week and the closing questions brought it all together nicely.
Although not every psalm is covered there are enough from the five different sections to give a good overview of the different types of psalm, the authors and possibly even the reasons why they were written.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone who wants a better understanding of this part of the bible.
I was given this book by NetGalley and the publisher. This is my voluntary and impartial review.