5 Best Psalms to read on Good Friday (Psalms prayers for Good Friday

I love participating in the Good Friday ceremony because it reminds me of the undying love of God and all the sacrifices Jesus Christ took to wash away my sins.

As a theologian, knowing that God sacrificed His only begotten son because of our sinful nature is vital as it challenges me to be obedient and grateful to Him.

This is why when a friend asked about Psalms prayers for Good Friday, I took it upon myself to write this article based on my knowledge and deeper understanding of the bible.

Read along to learn about the best Psalms to read on Good Friday.

5 Best Psalms to read on Good Friday

Psalm 22

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.”

In this chapter, the psalmist cries out to the Lord, asking why He has forsaken him when he is in anguish. You can read this psalm to commemorate when Jesus quoted this verse while on the cross, as written in Matthew 27:46.

You can use this psalm to thank Jesus Christ for dying for your sins.

Psalm 31:5

“Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.”

In this verse, the psalmist commits his spirit to the hands of God and prays that He delivers him. Jesus also quotes this psalm, as seen in the book of Luke 23:46.

Therefore, this is the best psalm to read on Good Friday as it reminds us to be faithful to the Lord and commit ourselves to Him.

Psalm 40:6-10

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened — burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know.”

In this psalm, David thanks the Lord for all the sacrifices to save him from his sins and promises not to hide God’s righteousness in his heart.

You can read this psalm as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifices and offerings and thank Him for being gracious enough to die for your sins.

Psalm 69

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.”

In this chapter, the psalmist cries out to the Lord and asks Him to protect him from his enemies. He then asks God to judge those who hate him for no reason.

Hence, this is a great chapter for you to read as it reminds and relates to the sufferings Jesus Christ went through as a result of those who hated Him.

Psalm 88

“Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you. May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength.”

In this chapter, the psalmist agonizes in pain, asks God to turn His ear to him, and expresses how overwhelmed he is as his life draws near to death.

This is an excellent plasm to read on Good Friday as it relates to when Jesus Christ anguished with pain as He felt abandoned by God while He was about to face death on our behalf.

Can you read these Psalms on other days?

Yes, you can. These psalms are not specifically fixated on particular events because they contain songs of divine praises, expressions, lamentations, and gratitude towards God.

For these reasons, you can read these psalms on any day of your life.

How to use these psalms to pray on Good Friday

The Bible does not state exactly how to use the book of Psalms in relation to Good Friday. However, you can use these psalms as a preparation point by reading them out loud and meditating through each verse as you prepare for the Good Friday prayer.

You can read a verse like Psalm 22:16-31. In this verse, the psalmist describes how Jesus Christ will suffer and die in the hands of men.

This psalm is a remarkable prophecy of Jesus Christ’s suffering and crucifixion, and it will remind you of all that Jesus went through just to save you from sinful nature.

Additionally, you can use these psalms as a Good Friday prayer prompt by picking a chapter or verse that resonates with your emotions and saying it repeatedly.

For instance, in a verse like Psalm 103:1, where David asks his soul to praise the Lord, you can use this psalm as your starting prayer in preparation for Good Friday.