The Psalter is a holy book containing a collection of sacred songs of the Old Testament Church. David himself, the creator of the psalms, notes that “the psalms of Israel are magnificent,” and explains the reasons for this magnificence: The Spirit of the Lord is a verb in me, and His word in my tongue (2 Sam. 23: 2).
In the first centuries after Christ, many Christians knew the Psalter by heart. The Holy Fathers, monks, and the desert herders, spent most of their time singing psalms, without interrupting it during the day and night. Lay people recited them in the offices of the Virgin Mary and of the Dead, and children learned them as the basis of their alphabet. The Church Fathers consider the occupation to be extremely soulful and pious.
For 2,000 years, Christians Eastern and Western had been praying the Psalter of David in its full integrity. In 1970, the Novus Ordo handed an expurgated version to modern-day Catholics, but it is more profitable for the soul to follow interpretations of the Psalms, given to us by the Holy fathers and Doctors of the Church (such as Saint Ephrem the Syrian, Saint Athanasius, Saint Robert Bellarmine), as well as their advice and guidance regarding the reading of the psalms.
The numbering of the Psalms follow the Septuagint bible such as Latin Vulgate and the Douay-Rheims translation.
Psalms for Different Occasions
Praising the Lord: 23, 88, 92, 95, 110, 112, 113, 114, 133, 138
For the Glory of God: 9, 18, 23, 28, 46, 49, 64, 88, 95, 103, 110, 112, 113, 114, 133, 149
In gratitude for all God’s good deeds: 28, 33, 145, 149, 45, 47, 64, 65, 80, 84, 97, 115, 116, 123, 125, 134, 148
In spiritual joy: 101, 102, 103
Thank for Mercy: 9, 17, 29, 33, 39, 74, 102, 107, 115, 137, 145
Mercy: 45, 47, 64, 58, 80, 95, 104, 115, 125, 134, 135
To protect yourself from mortal sins: 18
Forgiveness of sins and repentance: 50, 6, 24, 56, 129
Forgiveness of sins: 24, 37, 50, 129
For saving your soul and your children, relatives: 12
When you ask for mercy and bounty from God: 6, 66
Ask for spirit of humility: 4, 5, 27, 40, 43, 54, 63, 78, 79, 82, 138
During tribulation: 3, 12, 21, 68, 76, 82, 142
Famine, War: 90
Plagues: 69
In circumstances, so that the Lord will hear your prayer: 16, 85, 87, 140
In order not to skimp and give alms: 40
In mental trauma: 36, 39, 53, 69
Ulcers, Sores, Microbes (Including soul sickness and hopelessness) : 39, 53, 69
Repent, apply Holy Oil and the Sign of the Cross)
For recovery from illness: 6, 30, 41, 88 and 103
When you hear that someone blasphemes the Providence of God: 13, 52
When you see the profane, pride and anger in many: 11
In order not to be tempted when you see that the wicked prosper, and the righteous suffer tribulation: 36, 72
Whenever you face temptations: 36, 26, 90, 39 ; also read James 1:13-14.
Before leaving home: 31
From the frost (Including your sins of the winter) : 147
Flooding, drowning (Including drowning in your own sins): 67
Fire (Including when you are mad and furious): 49, 118
On the granting of peaceful death: 38
Against enemies (Our enemies are our passions and passions of others): 49, 53, 58, 139 and 33
When enemies, insulters, haters continue to seek your doom: 34, 25, 42 — (be not angry with them)
Pray against your enemies and those who straiten you: Psalms 17, 86, 88, and 140
When enemy surrounding you: 2, 3, 53, 58, 142
Protection from enemies: 90, 3, 37, 2, 49, 53, 58, 139
Victory over enemy: 17
Persecuted: 53, 55, 56, 68, 141
When accusations and slander are raised against you: 4, 7, 36, 42, 51, 53
Against thieves, thieves of Grace (who gossip about you): 51
Rude, merciless people: 40
Against spells, witches and sorcerers: 39, 49, 53, 58, 63, 139
Against demonic attacks: 45, 67, 90
Against devils: 50, 17, 34, 82
From unclean spirits: 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 33, 57, 65, 90, 94, 96, 121.
Affliction, suffering, pains: 2, 3, 37
In a mental turmoil, confusion: 30
If the crafty overcomes: 142, 67
Sorrow, panic (do not listen to demons): 26, 36, 90, 101
Times of sorrow and misfortunes: 3, 12, 21, 68, 76, 82, 142
Consolation of the oppressed: 19
Deliverance from demons: 68, read New Testament, John: 15
Before going out, or beginning of any works: 41, 42, 62, 142
Sawing (and sawing of good deeds, and if you have no good works to do): 64
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