6 Psalms to read for ordination (Psalms verses to read during an ordination service)

I have always believed that ordination is an election to co-work with God. Recently, during our church bible study session, we were discussing ordination from a Christian perspective when one of our members asked which verses in the book of Psalms illustrate in which way a Christian leader should be commissioned.

Having taught the word of God for more than two decades, I was more than happy to share my insights. I later decided to put the discussion in writing to reach a wider audience.

6 Psalms to read for ordination

Psalm 81:4 

“For this is a statute for Israel, A law of the God of Jacob.”

The Psalmist in this verse tells about the ordinance of God upon the house of Jacob. From this, we learn that God ordains his people for a purpose; therefore, use this verse to ordain those who serve God and those who want to co-work with God in spreading His word. Use the verse when obligating Christian leaders into positions of authority.

Psalm 132:17

“There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.”

In this verse, we see God establishing the throne of King David and ordaining His anointed. Use this verse to declare God’s ordination to His leadership; declare this verse when crowning priests, pastors, deacons, and other leaders in the church to God’s work.

Use the verse to encourage them that they are now in the line of David and that they should also tap God’s anointing power.

Psalm 78:72

“So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.”

We see King David in this verse showing a good example of how to be a leader; he did this by having integrity of heart and by being a good shepherd.

You can use this verse to warn leaders against being rogue in church; use the verse to show them how good leadership is meant to be. Ordain the leaders to be honest and good shepherds using this verse.

Psalm 7:13

“He also prepares for Himself instruments of death; He makes His arrows into fiery shafts.”

Through this verse, we see a God who has prepared His arsenal against the enemy. This verse shows us that God has already prepared us, and He is ready to use us to win against every evil plan; therefore, you can use this verse to ordain leaders and declare God’s victory upon them.

Use the verse to ask for God’s power and to equip those he has chosen into leadership.

Psalm 81:5

“This He established in Joseph as a testimony, When He went throughout the land of Egypt, Where I heard a language I did not understand.”

This verse reminds us of God’s power in establishing Joseph in Egypt and granting Israel favor and freedom. Use this verse to ordain both the church and its leaders because God establishes His reign through them just as He did with Joseph and the house of Jacob; also, you can use the verse to ask for God’s power over His people.

Psalm 19:7

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

From this verse, we learn about God’s character and His laws, that the laws of God allow us to be trustworthy, and with God’s perfection, our souls are refreshed. Use this verse to command church leaders to follow and keep God’s statutes.

Use the verse to emphasize on reading, meditating, and keeping God’s commandments. 

What does the book of Psalms say about ordination? 

Ordination is the act of commissioning God’s leaders. If you read the book of Psalms, you will realize that ordination was done to people who are obligating themselves to fulfill a promise. 

Psalm 139:16-17 tells us that ordination is already done in heaven; therefore, we only do it to ratify one’s acceptance to follow a certain course already designed by God.

Ordination was done to priests, kings, prophets, judges, and those who rose to be leaders of God’s people. Psalms, therefore, tell us that God desires to fulfill His desires through us, and we must accept and be ordained to be able to be used by God.

How to use Psalms during an ordination service

During the ordination ceremony, use the Psalms to declare God’s promises upon the leaders being commissioned. Do this by laying hands on them upon their heads, then narrate the verses while declaring favor, gift of the Holy Spirit, and grace of God to be upon the one being ordained.