Praying with the Psalms: A Year of Daily Prayers and Reflections on the Words of David

A Year of Daily Prayers

by Eugene H. Peterson

A devotional prayer book focusing on one year with the Psalms, the most sensitive and honest words written about daily stress and daily blessings.

Genres: Devotional, Prayer, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Christianity, Christian, Spirituality

400 pages, Paperback

First published July 23, 1993

About the author

Eugene H. Peterson was a pastor, scholar, author, and poet. For many years he was James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He also served as founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland. He had written over thirty books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language a contemporary translation of the Bible. After retiring from full-time teaching, Eugene and his wife Jan lived in the Big Sky Country of rural Montana. He died in October 2018.

Reviews

[Jocelyn Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved spending time with this gentle little book.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has known me for a number of years knows that I am a huge fan of Eugene Peterson. I have read a number of his books, and fond of The Message version of the Bible. When I discovered that he had written this devotional book, I had to get my hands on it.

Praying with the Psalms is a year's worth of daily devotions that goes through the Psalms from chapter 1 to chapter 150, breaking some of them down into multiple days. Each day, the reader gets a focal verse from the selected passage, a brief commentary on the verse/passage, and a prayer, sometimes taken from a hymn or another author's work. Each devotional is just a page, and the book is actually smaller than a standard paperback, so the devotions are short. They are a great way to begin the day's spiritual exercises.

Many authors emphasize the importance of the Psalms in the Christian's life. Peterson has written several books on them, and when he began translating the Scriptures into modern English, he started with Psalms. Dietrich Bonhoeffer called Psalms "the prayer book of the Bible." I have long said that I do not believe it to be accidental that they are in the middle of our Bible. Many times, I have gone through a year of reading five Psalms a day, as a routine. The impact on one's life cannot be measured.

I highly recommend this book for daily devotions, especially to "jump-start" your daily prayers.

[Bill Hooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

It not difficult to allow distance to creep in your relationship with the Lord. Like during the middle of a pandemic that seems to continue to just drag on and on. I felt the need to reconnect more closely with God, and chose the Psalms as the vehicle for doing that -- the text, and 2 devotional books from the Psalter. Eugene Peterson has insights into the message of the Psalms, how they speak to us, and the prayers that need to accompany the psalm and its message. I read an average of 3-5 psalms a day, and finished the book in about 3 months. About 15 years ago, I did this book throughout the year, one devotional per day. Every way works, and lifts you spiritually. If you want to upgrade your connection with God, I highly recommend the Psalms, and Peterson's book as a tool in doing that.

[Hans Wulffraat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply wonderful. Ik have been praying with it daily for two consecutive years, and plan to use IT again in years ahead. Now praying with Tim Keller's Psalms.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because Tim Keller mentioned it in his book on prayer that I'm also reading; paraphrasing the psalms can be helpful, Keller says, for praying through them more regularly, and Peterson does that here. I read this quickly instead of day by day as recommended (it's a year-long devotional) but enjoyed sitting in the Psalms with him! The combination of all these authors on the psalms has convinced me to do my own paraphrasing/praying of them regularly too.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this book along with two other books each day of this year: 365 Pocket Prayers and Jesus Calling. I'm going to go ahead and write my review although I still have a few more days left since I don't want to have to remember to come back on the 31st.

This was my second favorite of the three I was reading (365 Pocket Prayers) was my favorite. The 365 Pocket Prayers just gave more verses that I liked, but Praying with the Psalms was still very enjoyable and sometimes more enjoyable than the verse/prayer in the other book for that day.

I had trouble connecting with Jesus Calling at points, but it was still an enjoyable read, I just like Praying with the Psalms and 365 Pocket Prayers the most.

I would recommend this book, especially for someone just wanting a way to get better at praying which is what I was working on this year.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, the writings of pastor and scholar Eugene Peterson offer insight and inspiration but most primarily point to Jesus Christ and His work in and for us. This little devotional tome is comprised of short daily reflections for several verses each day (i.e., longer psalms are broken up across several days. I found it to be highly accessible and achievable for daily readings (even during a season of sleeplessness with a newborn!). I highly recommend this devotional.

[Maurice Kwok · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inward journey to my inner man and an upward journey to God!!
I read two books for my daily devotionals in 2020 and 2021: “Prayer With The Psalms: A Year of Daily Prayers and Reflections on the Words of David” of Eugene Peterson, and “Experiencing Christ in You: A Message for Every Day” by Rev. Charles Price, retired pastor of The Peoples Church of Toronto.

[Alex Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hit-and-miss like most devotionals. There were a few really great lines in here. This one sticks with me to this day, it's just brilliant:

"Firmly and deeply embedded in a biblical faith is the impulse to praise. Subterranean energies erupt through surface routines."

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Peterson's words having read a number of his books. I also love the Psalms and have been reading them on repeat for the last five or so years.

Peterson's understanding of the Psalms is not in question, it was more the lack of depth in each day's reading.

The book covers all the Psalms over the year, so the longer Psalms are spread over multiple days. Each day is headed by a phrase from the psalm of the day, encouragement to read all or some of it, 2 verses are provided, a very brief reflection, and then a short prayer.

I believe if you're new to studying the Psalms, I'd encourage you to start by reading the complete Psalm, along with something a bit more detailed and then perhaps use Peterson's book in tandem. I suspect many readers enjoy this book due to it being short and therefore quick to read each day. But I'm not sure that';s the best way for discovering more of this beautiful book of poems and songs.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good way to touch on all of the Psalms over the course of the year. Definitely some good moments, where it seems to apply well to my life moment. But this is taking second hand what could easily be seen for oneself. Read the Psalms and find your prayer to God, and find His response!

[Cameron Barham · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Prayer: Almighty God, judge of all the earth, keep me from ever supposing that I am the judge of others, deciding their worth or conniving in vengeance. My job is to sing your praises and love my neighbor. Help me stick to my task, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.”, January 8, Psalm 7:12-17

[Allison Griffiths · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic and simple

Theres not much to this. If you just need a designated verse of the day, this covers that need. But there is bery little else to it. A sentence of thought and a sentence if prayer. It's basic and simple.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea of this book, but the execution could have been better. I wish it went deeper into each reading.

[Virginia Aguirre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book of reflections for each day of the year- for years! It always gave me something to contemplate.

[Linda Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea, but others will be supported by this book I'm sure.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this little book. I read it and read it again. I have little post-it notes throughout. Uplifting!!

[Eunice S VanPelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspiring book!

I love reading in the book of Psalms. This author did not disappoint me. I enjoyed reading his daily prayers and his reflections about the Psalms.

[Amylou314 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful, thoughtful comments and inspirations from Eugene Peterson. There were quite a few new hymns and poems quoted as well which I enjoyed.

[Vanjr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short thought/prayer for each day of the year on the Psalms often quoting a hymn or other poetic source. Very brief so easy to read. Recommend Peterson if you have not read him. A pastors heart.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Wonderful way to spend the year reading the psalms. Seeing it as poetry, prayer, confession and finding the true nature of God. Simple enough to follow

[Fraser Coltman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent devotional guide. Peterson knows how to pray the Psalms, and he passes on that skill through this collection of meditations and prayers that lead through the green pastures of the Psalter.

[Shaina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth your time!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent daily devotional--set aside temporarily, but recently finished.

[Elaine Mazzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still reading this book as it is a yearly devotional. Each day's reading is short but powerful. I am enjoying it very much.

[Steve Penner]

Used this entire series over a number of years and very much appreciated the approach. It is simple, not too time consuming, but helps to get God's Word into my thoughts and into my heart.

[Tyler Eason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a helpful and friendly companion on a journey through the Psalms.

[Sally Hager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for use in the practice of Lectio Divina.

[Carl Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apart from coffee, the Psalms are the greatest help to my daily devotional life!