Many people have asked me this question, often with a quiet curiosity: Why do we hear the Psalms so often at Mass, in prayer services, and in personal devotion? It is a beautiful question, because it touches the very heart of how Christians speak to God—not only with prepared words, but with the full truth of the human soul.
The Psalms come to us from the Book of Psalms, a collection of prayers and hymns that has shaped God’s people for thousands of years. Traditionally associated with King David and other inspired writers, these prayers were born from real life—joy and grief, gratitude and fear, praise and repentance. When we pray the Psalms, we are not pretending to be holy; we are learning to be honest before God.
What makes the Psalms especially precious in Christian worship is that Jesus Himself prayed them. On the Cross, Jesus Christ cried out words from the Psalms, placing His suffering and trust into the language of Scripture. In doing so, He showed us that these ancient prayers find their deepest meaning in Him. When the Church prays the Psalms, we are praying with Christ, allowing His voice to echo through our own hearts.
The Church has always understood this. That is why the Psalms form the backbone of the Liturgy of the Hours and are woven into every Mass. They teach us how to praise when words fail, how to lament without losing hope, and how to trust when life feels overwhelming. They remind us that worship is not about hiding our wounds, but about bringing them gently into God’s presence.
In daily life, the Psalms slowly shape us. When we repeat them, they begin to repeat within us. They teach patience in suffering, humility in success, and confidence in God’s mercy. Over time, our hearts learn the rhythm of faith—crying out, listening, waiting, and praising.
Reflection – A Closing Thought
May the Psalms become the quiet language of your own prayer, giving voice to what you carry inside. And may you discover, through these sacred words, that God has been listening all along.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
