Simple and quick steps to help you writing your own personal psalms

1. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND ON THE PSALMS STRUCTURE
The psalms cover the full range of human emotion through prayers, cries, questions, laments and praises to God. So don’t turn to the psalms if you
think being a follower of God means putting on your happy-face mask and singing about being carefree.
Yet in the psalms we find encouragement in the midst of anger, hurt, fear and confusion, as well as joy, faith and hope. You don’t have to be a
talented, dedicated songwriter or hymnodist to write your personal psalm. Yet, in a few paragraphs from now I’ll show you three elements of ancient
Hebrew poetry that you can use with ease.
Old Testament poetry doesn’t use rhyme and meter but does use poetry devices like imagery, and forms of wordplay. The three main types of
ancient Hebrew poems are Synonymous poetry, antithetical poetry and synthetic poetry. Don’t let those names intimidate you – you can do this.
Who wrote the Psalms? What kind of Psalms are there? What are some examples?
The book of Psalms was collected over time and originally unnamed, perhaps because of the wide variety of material it contains. It came to be
known in Hebrew as “The book of praises”. The Greek term for the title means poems to be sung to the accompaniment of musical instruments.
The authors include:
TITLE AND AUTHORS TYPES OF PSALMS EG
DAVID (73) – Shephard, musician,
king, warrior
ROYAL – Refer to the Davidic king on the throne at the time of the psalm; later applied to
Christ by the NT writers
Ps. 2; 110
ASAPH (12) – a priest who headed the
service of music
LAMENT – A cry to God for help because of trouble that either the psalmist or the nation
finds itself in
Ps. 60
SONS OF KORAH (10) – a guild of
singers and composers
TESTIMONIAL or PRAISE: Gives honor to God for His character or for something He has
done.
Ps. 30; 34
SOLOMON (2) – Israel’s most
powerful king
PILGRIM – (aka Songs of Ascent) – Sung as the Israelites ascended to Jerusalem for the
great annual feasts.
Ps. 120;
134; 122
MOSES (1) – prince, herdsman,
deliverer
INPRECATORY – Request judgement on wicked men who are enemies of both the writer
and God.
Ps. 58; 109
HERMAN (1) – a wise man PENITENTIAL – Express sorrow over sin; composed mostly by David. Ps. 32; 51
ETHAN (1) – another wise man WISDOM – Contrasts the lifestyles and destinies of the righteous and the wicked; seek to
help the man live life from God’s perspective.
Ps. 37; 49;
73
ANONYMOUS (50) – some of these
are attributed to Ezra.
HISTORICAL – Reflects upon God’s dealings with the nation of Israel. 78; 105; 106
NATURE – Gives praise to God for His handiwork and power as demonstrated in His
creation.
Ps. 8; 19;
104
LANGUAGE FIGURES IN THE PSALMS: The most common is PARALLELELISM: It uses 2 or more phrases to compare, contrast or emphasize
thoughts.
SYNONYMOUS - Two consecutive lines or clauses containing statements very close in meaning. “O Lord,
how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!
Ps. 3:1
SYNTHETIC - The second line takes up and develops further a thought begun in the first line: For the
Lord is great God, the great King above all gods.”
Ps. 95:3

2. https://adamyoungcounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/How-to-Write-Your-Own-Psalm.pdf
https://holidappy.com/holidays/How-To-Write-A-Short-Personal-Psalm-of-Thanksgiving
https://mysonginthenight.com/songwriting/how-to-write-a-personal-psalm/
https://www.navpress.com/sites/thedisciplemaker/2016/04/lord-teach-us-to-pray/
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-synthetic-parallelism-in-hebrew-poetry.html
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-antithetical-parallelism-in-hebrew-poetry.html
WRITE A PSALM
Don’t worry if you don’t feel eloquent enough. The words that come from your heart are what matter the most to Him:
I.Choose in each column one element to compose your psalm. Give it a tittle:
PERSONALPSALMMAKINGMACHINE
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
EXPOSIÇÃO:
AddressGod
EvoqueHisname!
RECOGNISE
GOD’S
ESSENCE:
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESS
PRESENT
GRATIUDE:
SURRENDER TOTHE
SPIRITOFPRAISE
ANTITHETICAL LISTYOUR
BLESSINGS
SYNTHETIC AFFIRM
GOD’S
ESSENCE
RESOLUÇÃO
A Oh,Lord!Your
Omniscience
foreseesmy needs
YourREIGNis
eternal
Listen youall:Wegive
thanksto You,OGod!
Wegivethanks to You!
I’mgratefulfor
YourSon,Jesus,
Who savedme!
There’sno otherGodas
goodandomnipotentas
Jehovah!
A lifeaway fromGod
isdry;but alifebefore
Himisa thirstless life
Byyourgrace
my life isa
blessing
It`s much betterto serve
Godthan anymen.
You’retheonly
TrueGod,oh
Lord
JustLikefireonly
Youcanpurifymy
soulandmy sins
B LordofLordsand
Kingof Kings!I
trust onlyinYou!
OnlybyYour
WISDOMour
knowledgeflow
Lord,howmany areyour
deeds!Howmany are
yourwonders!
I`m gladfor
Yourguidanceby
commandments
Eachdaywe live onlyby
yourgraceforYou
provideuseverything.
FortheLordlightens
ourways, buttheway
offoolsisin darkness.
Igivethanks
forhearingmy
praiseandpray
It`s betterto beinGod`s
presencethaninany king.
God,You’re
RELIABLE&
FAITHFUL
Aspowerfulasten
million sun’sraysis
Yourmagnitude!
C Jehovah!Kingof
Glory!
God`sLaws are
weighedwith
JUSTICE.
Howgreat, ohLordareall
yourworks,howgreat is
yourlove.
I’mthankfulfor
my family
There`sonlyonegod
Who hearsallcriesand
grieves.
FortheLordhearsthe
prayersofthe just,but
afoolpraysinvain.
YourWords
guideMy paths
It`s betterto beinGod`s
housethanin anycastle.
You’reFAIR,
ohGod!
Similarto Water,
Youquenchmy
thirsty.
D FatherYouare
my only
consolation!
Onlyyour
KINDNESS
cansaveme
Sublimeisyouressence
ohGod!Sublimeisyour
mercy!
Gladbemy heart
forthe friends
you’vegiven.
You`remy only
consolationintimes of
needsandagony.
FortheLordblessesa
sincereheart,butliars
will beleftto perish.
Yourpromises
giveme renew
my faith
Hopeandpeacedwell
among Christians –more
than stillwaters
You’reKIND
andGraceful
oh,God!
Similarto Theair
we breathe,nobody
liveswithout You.
E Almighty God!
Webowto
Omnipotence!
Howgreat is
YourLOVE
You`remy rock,Jehovah!
You`remy anchorwhen
offshore!
Thankyoufor
yourbreathon
me
InYourPresenceI’ll
bowwith a gladheartto
serveYou
TheLordcaresforthe
poor,butthearrogant
will perishlikedust.
YourSon’s
sacrificebrings
me hope
Death anddestructioncome
with sin –howmuch more
doneintentionally
You’reFULL
OF
LOVE,God!
LikeTherain,You
renewmy strength
EMBLEMATIC - One line conveys the main point, the second line illuminates it by an image. “As the deer
pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.”
Ps. 42:1
ANTITHETICAL - Second line contrasts with the first: “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish”
Ps. 1:6
CLIMACTIC - Second line repeats first with exception of las term/phrase: “Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty
ones. Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength”.
Ps. 29:1
FORMAT - Two lines are joined solely by metric considerations: “I have installed my king on Zion, my
holy hill”
Ps. 2:6

3. F Oh,Immutable
GodofIsrael!
YourMERCY
isabundant
Onlythe sublimeloveof
Godredeemsus! OnlyHis
love’sunconditional
I’mgratefulfor
theplacewhereI
live
IprayandpraiseYou,
You’remyPastor and
I’myoursheep
Loyaltyis likegoldto
God,buttreasonis
likerottenteeth.
YourHoly
Spiritcomforts
me
Whoeverlieshis/herhope
inthe Lordwillnot be
disappointed
You’reFULL
OFMERCY,
ohLord!
AsA pilot,Itrust
my destiny onYour
hands
G My God!Your
omnipresence
comforts me!
YouMAJESTY
issublime
OnlyJehovahgaveHis
Sonforus!OnlyGod
sacrificedHisSon
ThankYoufor
My joband
There`sonlyOneGod
Who foreseesand
foretellsall.
God’stiming is
perfect,butthetiming
ofsinnersis uncertain
Yourbreath
gaveme life
WhoeverpraisesGodand
honorHisSonisaservant
who bringshonorandgrace.
Lord,You’re
FULL OF
MAJESTY
Likeacaptain,You
guideme safelyover
turbulentwaters.
H Ourfather which
art inheaven!
Thebeautyof
yourGRACE
overwhelms me
Howgreat areyourdeeds,
ohLord!Howgreat areall
yourworks
Thankyoufor
My colleagues
IworshipYouonlyfor
there`s no otherGod
likeYou.
Thejusticeofman is
unfair,butthe justice
ofGodis
Onlythrough
YOUIamwhat
Iam.
Running away fromGodis
likehidinginthe sunlight;
so showupwhenHe calls.
Lord,You’re
FULL OF
GRACE
AsSalt,Youseason
andflavormy life.
I Acceptour
worship,oh
HeavenlyFather!
Howinfinite is
your
GOODNES
Listen,youPriests! Listen
youbrothers. Allchurch
Pay attention:BEHOLY!
Thankyoufor
beingmy Pastor
Isurrenderallmyself to
Youonlyforyou`re
always reliable.
Theloveofmen is
limited, buttheloveof
Godisunconditional!
Your
righteousness
feedsmy faith
IgnoringGod`s will islike
going againstthe tide,so
listento God!
OnlyGodis
GOOD!
AsThemighty
sun’slight, You
warm upmy heart.
J Hallowedbeyour
name, oh
HeavenlyFather!
YourPOWER
isimmense and
eternal.
Oh,Lord.You’rethe
captainofmy life! You’re
theonlycaptainofmy life!
Iamgrateful for
allyou’vedone
forme!
Even ifonethirdofall
thesky`s light fadeout
You`llstillBeGod
Thepeaceofthis
worldisbrief,butthe
peaceofGod’seternal
Throughyour
SonI’msaved
andCleansed
Sinkeepsusapartfrom
God,so Hiscommandments
putus closerto God.
Godis
POWERFUL
butmerciful!
LikeAneagle,You
openyourwings to
shadowmy life
Ifyou wish,youcan fill outeach column with yourown component:
II.Now, write down yourpsalmhere: Don’t forget to giveit a title: “___________’sPsalmof Thanksgiving”
PSALM TITLE: “__________________________________________’s Psalmof thanksgiving”
01
___________________________________________________________________________________
02
___________________________________________________________________________________
03
___________________________________________________________________________________
04
___________________________________________________________________________________
05
___________________________________________________________________________________
06

4. ___________________________________________________________________________________
07
___________________________________________________________________________________
08
___________________________________________________________________________________
09
___________________________________________________________________________________
10
___________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________`s PSALM OF GRATTITUDE II
Psalm 106 I.Write 3 wordsthat
describe God:
II. Draw a picture of something
God createdthat you admire
III. Write one way God helpedyouthis
past weekonthe linesbelow:
IV. Write one way that youknow
God lovesyou:
1
Praise the LORD.[a]
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is
good;
his love endures forever.
2
Who can proclaim the mighty
acts of the LORD
or fully declare his praise?
3
Blessed are those who act
justly,
who always do what is right.
4
Remember me, LORD, when you
show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you
save them,
5
that I may enjoy the
prosperity of your chosen ones,
1. I know You love me because,
2.
3.
V. How doyou feel whenyouthinkaboutall thatGod hasdone for you?Draw the face to illustrate it:

5. that I may share in the joy of
your nation
and join your inheritance in
giving praise.
6
We have sinned, even as our
ancestors did;
we have done wrong and
acted wickedly. (……)
48
Praise be to the LORD, the God
of Israel,
from everlasting to
everlasting.
Let all the people say, “Amen!”
Praise the LORD.
Lord, you are _________________________________, ________________________, and __________________________!
You made the _____________________________________________________________________________________!
You helped me ________________________________________________________________________________!
I know you love me because _________________________________________________________________!
When I think of all that God has done for me, I feel __________________________________________!
So, thank you Lord for all you have done to me!
______________________`s LAMENT PSALM III:
With individual and communal psalms of lament, there is a recognizable pattern. Psalm 13 is typical. ((vv. 3-4). (vv. 5-6). While there are plenty of variations on
this pattern, the complaints are directed chiefly to God. Psalm 3:1
PSALM 3 ADDRESS GOD A Complaint A Petition/Request A Resolution
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
1
LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2
Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”[b]
3
But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
Evoque God`s name
and listening. State
God`s power.
Theymay be about God, or about
one’s life, or about a presumed
enemy. Psalm 22:1, “My God, my
God, why have you forsaken
me?” Psalm 38:3, “There is no
health in my bones because of
my sin.” Psalm 72:4, “Save the
children of the needy, and crush
the oppressor.”
Petitionsmay vary according
to your heart`s needs, like
requests for healing,
deliverance, vindication,
provision and protection,
and, in the cases of
confession of sin,
forgiveness.
The final resolution of a
psalm of lament may involve
a confession of trust; it may
involve a resolve to praise or
a promise to obey; or it may
involve a confident
affirmation of God’s own
faithfulness, even if there is
no empirical data to prove it.
EXAMPLES:
“Oh Lord, how many
are my foes!” Psalm
10:2, “Arise, O Lord; O
God, liftup Your hand.
Do not forget the
vv. 1-2) How long, O Lord? Will
youforget me forever? How long
will you hide your face from me?
How long must I bear pain in my
soul,andhave sorrow inmy heart
Consider and answer me, O
Lord my God! Give light to
my eyes, or I will sleep the
sleep of death, and my
enemy will say, “I have
But I trustedinyour steadfast
love;myheartshall rejoice in
your salvation. I will sing to
the Lord, because he has
dealt bountifully with me

6. 4
I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy
mountain.
5
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains
me.
6
I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.
7
Arise, LORD!
Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8
From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people
afflicted.” What are
the complaints about?
all day long? How long shall my
enemy be exalted over me?
prevailed”; my foes will
rejoice because I am shaken
NOW, TRY WRITING YOUR OWN LAMENT PSALM
ADDRESS GOD A Complaint A Petition/Request A Resolution
______________________`s LAMENT PSALM IV:
READ PSALM 22: Choose one
verse from this Psalm
Section 1: The situation
ADDRESS GOD
CONNECTORS Section 2: The requests
A Petition/Request
Section3: Future Hope
A Resolution
Illustrate it here: Oh God ………….
Why ohGod ………….
Jesus, Itfeelslike ………….
I’mupsetbecause ….
I’mannoyedbecause..
I miss………….
I’msad because …….
Andyet,I onlytrust inYou!
Andstill,onlyYouare God!
However,you`re myonlyGod!
Please …
Rescue me …
Defendme …
Hear me,oh Lord…
You are Good……….
You are defender…….
You save ………….
You ………….
EXAMPLES: PSALM 22
1. My God, my God, why have
you forsaken me?
Why are you so
far from saving me,
so far from my cries of
anguish?
2. Yet you are enthroned as
the Holy One;
you are the one Israel
praises.[c]
4
In you our ancestors
put their trust;
11
Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
.
22
I will declare your name
to my people;
in the assembly I will
praise you.
NOW, TRY WRITING YOUR OWN LAMENT PSALM

7. THINK ODF A MOMENT YOU
WERE IN NEED OF GOD
Section 1: The situation
ADDRESS GOD
CONNECTORS Section 2: The requests
A Petition/Request
Section3: Future Hope
A Resolution
Illustrate it here:
_____________________________________________`s PENITENTIAL PSALM V
Penitential psalms are expressions of individual lament that at times include a confession of sin on the part of the psalmist. They are psalms
where the author sees that his own sins have contributed to the problems that he is facing (e.g. illness, enemies, punishment, etc.) and therefore
asks God to remove these as he seeks forgiveness.
Psalm 6: 1–5
A cry from a sick man
1. A cry for help (healing,
forgiveness, rescue).
2. A statement of
condition (about health or
danger).
3. An appeal for help renewed in specific terms
(better health, destruction of enemy, cleansing).

8. 1
O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your wrath.
2
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am pining away;
Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are dismayed.
3
And my soul is greatly dismayed;
But You, O Lord—how long?
4
Return, O Lord, rescue my soul;
Save me because of Your lovingkindness.
5
For there is no mention of You in death;
In Sheol who will give You thanks?
1
O Lord, do not rebuke me
in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your
wrath.
2
Be gracious to me, O
Lord, for I am pining away;
Heal me, O Lord, for my
bones are dismayed.
3
And my soul is greatly
dismayed;
But You, O Lord—how
long?
4
Return, O Lord, rescue my soul;
Save me because of Your lovingkindness.
5
For there is no mention of You in death;
In Sheol who will give You thanks?
NOW, WRITE YOUR OWN PSALM
YOUR OWN PSALM A cry for help (healing,
forgiveness, rescue).
A statement of condition
(about health or danger).
An appeal for help renewed in specific terms
(better health, destruction of enemy, cleansing).
WRITE A PSALM
Don’t worry if you don’t feel eloquent enough. The words that come from your heart are what matter the most to Him:
Draw or paint a moment in your life to be thankful for

9. In your own words and from your heart, write a psalm of praise
and love to Jesus. Tell Him how you feel about Him, what he
means to you. Let Him know what you love about Him and why
you strive to followHis Word.Youcould even start your own book
of Psalms that you add during some of your times with Jesus.
These psalms can be long or short. What matter is that they are
your personal words of praise to and love for Jesus.
YOUR PSALM IS A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD!
YOU MAY USE THESE QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU
REFLECT:
1. What would you like to say to God?
2. What do or would you thank God for?
3. What makes you happy or glad?
4. What makes you sad?
5. When are you afraid?
6. What makes you FRAID?
7. What do you need help with?
8. Where is God?
9. How do you know God exists?
10. How have you beenblessed by God?
11. Why should we obey God?
12. Do you have friends?
13. What do you like about your parents and friends?
14. Do you have enemies?
15. How can you love your enemies?
16. Contemplation:
What is weighing on your heart?
17. What is a burden,
joy or passion that needs to be expressed?
18. Pick a theme to
focus
19. Praise for who god
is, thanksgiving for what he has done, expressing fear
or doubt.
20. Make it personal.
21. Use descriptive
language.

10. Teach us to pray song: https://youtu.be/2Yo_Qj9oV5E
The Model Prayer
11 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to
Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”