No matter your struggle, if you are seeking help in the Psalms then look no further. Here are 20 Psalms for peace when you can’t sleep.
“You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
How often do we find ourselves tossing and turning at night? After laying down to sleep, we find ourselves doing everything except for that. We seek rest, but our minds keep running. Something is bothering us. A person. A situation. A fear.
Whatever the cause, sleep is lost, and peace is nowhere to be found. Thankfully, we know as Christians that there is a place we can go to reacquaint ourselves with peace and find ourselves sleeping again.
Sometimes though, simply reading the Bible is not enough. We may need a particular passage to reference depending on the night. The various writers of the Psalms spoke on a number of different subjects, including the suffering that sometimes steals our peace.
No matter your struggle, if you are seeking help in the Psalms then look no further. Here are 20 Psalms for peace when you can’t sleep.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/demaerre
20 Psalms for Peace When You Can’t Sleep
“I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 18:8)
Closeness to God equates to distance from sin and the enemy.
“When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)
As an artist, God has taken special considerations to design space, the earth, and the moon. He is just as intricate when designing the events of our life. With total control over the universe, we can surely trust Him with our lives.
“You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.” (Psalm 16:11)
A life with God is a life to be enjoyed. God promises blessings for those who follow Him.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
This is a prayer to ensure that the ways of the believer are righteous to God not just to the person. We should aim to live our lives accordingly.
“I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)
Drawing near to the Lord, following His precepts is a daily task. When we fully commit to God, we commit to pursuing Him always.
“The Lord gives his people strength; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11)
No matter what problem we face, God guarantees us He will supply strength. This truth helps us to remember we are never alone. With God we can overcome anything.
“Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you healed me.” (Psalm 30:2)
This psalm encourages honest prayer with God. He will deliver us from our troubles. We still have to do our part and communicate with Him.
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
How comforting, to know that when we are in our saddest moments, God is present. Typically, in these moments we assume He is far away.
“Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.” (Psalm 126:5)
Every unfortunate season of life will come to an end. Any and all bad circumstances will one day go away. Though this verse does not say when, the promise is nonetheless clear.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)
If God’s love never ends, then we always have a reason to give thanks.
“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God.” (Psalm 42:1)
In our lowest of moments, we can find comfort in God, but first, we have to draw near to Him.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)
Our bodies may fail us, our health may falter, but God can restore us in every way imaginable.
“I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11)
Holding to God’s precepts makes the difference between a life of righteousness or a life of sin. Fostering a heart that delights in righteousness will lead to greater peace in our lives than living in sin.
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22)
Through prayer we share our burdens with the Lord. He wants to hear from us and He wants to help.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.” (Psalm 23:1)
Even when we lay down at night thinking about finances we don’t have, a job we don’t have, or even a relationship, we can find comfort knowing that God is enough. And whatever else He deems for us, we will receive.
“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
Our present troubles are only temporary. In time God will heal us of any tragedy experienced.
“Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are his— his people, the sheep of his pasture.” (Psalm 100:3)
We belong to good, much as sheep belong to a shepherd. Just as a shepherd cares for his animals, God will take care of us.
“I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. Selah. I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me.” (Psalm 3:4-5)
The Lord cares about the emotions we feel. He will always act on our behalf, working to sustain us.
“God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
Sometimes our troubles are a result of us having the wrong mindset. By asking God to renew us, we invite Him in to change our character.
“God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
As God’s love is everlasting, so too is the aid He provides for His children. We can call out to God in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. He is always present.
Perfect Peace
As Jesus has informed us, trials and tribulations will come our way (John 16:33). Therefore, we will have nights in the future where our rest is challenged. We can take hope though, just like Jesus said. We can find comfort in the Bible, and definitely in the Psalms.
Knowing Scripture not only keeps us informed of God’s truth, but we also benefit from being closer to God. Issues such as fear, anxiety, and loneliness don’t have the same hold over us when we draw near to Him. The next time you find yourself unable to sleep, instead of getting a late night snack, or hopping back on your cell phone, open up your Bible.
Turn to the Psalms.
Let God speak into your life, and bless you with what Scripture calls “perfect peace.”
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Viacheslav Peretiatko
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