What is the best Psalms to read to overcome Fear? (7 best psalms for Fear)

Though I have gone through challenging situations in my life, I have always overcome my Fear as a devout Christian by meditating on the book of Psalms.

Last week, I visited an ill friend in hospital who told me how much he was afraid of dying. I shared with him some of the best Psalms to read to overcome Fear, and his perspective changed.

Inspired by this encounter, I decided to share with everyone who is wondering what the best Psalms to read to overcome Fear are.

7 Best Psalms to read to overcome Fear

Psalm 3:5-6

“I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.”

In this passage, David says that even though enemies surround him, he does not fear. He believed that God would rescue him and answer his prayer.

This is a great Psalm to read when you feel afraid since it gives you hope and reminds you that God is with you.

Psalm 18

“I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.”

In this passage, David sings a song unto the Lord to rescue him from his enemies. He says that God is his strength, his rock in whom he finds protection.

This is a great Psalms to read when you feel afraid since it encourages you to put your trust in God, who is your protector.

Psalm 9:18

“But the needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.”

The Psalmist in this verse says that God always remembers those in need, and the hopes of the poor are not crushed.

Those words make it one of the best Psalms to read when facing Fear since it uplifts you when going through tough times.

Psalm 23:4

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”

David, in this verse, expresses his confidence in God. He says that even though he goes through hard times, he will not fear because he believes that God’s rod and staff will comfort him.

This is a great Psalm that can help you overcome Fear since it reminds you of God’s presence in every situation.

Psalm 27:1-3

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.”

The Psalmist in this passage says that he will not be afraid of anything because the Lord is his salvation and light. If you are looking to overcome Fear, you should not overlook these verses since they remind you that God will always protect you from danger.

Psalm 91

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.”

In this passage, the Psalmist says that if you dwell in the shelter of God, you will find rest in his shadow. This passage reassures you of God’s protection in your life as long as you abide in him.

It is a great Psalm to read when you are feeling afraid since it gives you hope.

Psalm 34:4

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.”

David, in this verse, says that when he sought the Lord, God answered his prayers and delivered him from his fears. You can read this verse when you’re feeling afraid since it encourages you to seek God, and you will be freed from your fears.

How to pray the Psalms to overcome Fear?

You can pray these Psalms to overcome Fear by putting yourself in the shoes of the Psalmist and using the first person in your prayer.

For instance, if you are going through agony, you can address God directly, just like the Psalmist did in Psalm 6:2 when he said, “Have mercy on me.”

When you are in a state of Fear, you can also meditate on the Psalms slowly and as you let the verses sink in for you to understand their meanings and get encouraged through them.

Besides reading these Palms to overcome Fear, you should also seek the Lord by focusing on him and clinging to him in overwhelming situations.

Can you use these Psalms to pray for someone else who is afraid?

Most theologians believe that these Psalms are best to read when you want to overcome your Fear since most Psalmists address God directly, asking for his help.

For instance, when David says that he will not fear even when he walks through a dark valley (Psalm 23:4), he is expressing his confidence in the Lord and trying to be courageous.

According to some Bible scholars, you can read other Bible verses like Isaiah 41:10 when you are praying for someone else who is afraid.

In this verse, God is the one addressing people, reminding them that they should not fear since he is with them.