There’s recently been some increased interest in the psalms found in the Old Testament’s “hymn book.” This has caused me to scan all the 150 psalms—an enjoyable task. There’s much to be recalled, a rediscovery of some interesting doctrinal concepts, and some moving reminders to improve my prayers and communications with those who know and love me in the heavens above. I made a new list of verses that remind me how to conduct myself and how to better my worship attitudes and actions. I hope some of you have also done so or will do that in the near future.
Psalms Popularity Lists
In the meantime, I sought to compare my psalm favorites with those of the general public. There are several websites that have recorded suggestions as to the popularity of various psalms so I’ve summarized their observations below.
Top Ten Most Quoted Psalms
- Psalm 23:1–6—The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…
- Psalm 121:1–8—I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills…
- Psalm 138:1–8—I will praise thee with my whole heart…
- Psalm 62:1–12—Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation….
- Psalm 46:1–11—God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble….
- Psalm 117:1–2—O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people….
- Psalm 37:1–9—Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself…
- Psalm 1:1–6—Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,…
- Psalm 40:1–5— I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry….
- Psalm 84:1–12—My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord…
Psalm Quotes and References in Many Latter-day Saint Hymns
However, before doing so I want to suggest a pleasant quest for you to pursue. The quest has to do with psalm themes, quotes, and fragments in many of the hymns found in the “Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”—that favorite green book we open several times in our weekly Church meetings. I invite you to turn your attention to pages 410 and 411, the section titled “Scriptures.” You’ll discover that there are psalm references in 90 of our hymns. And when you turn to those hymns, you’ll notice that the pertinent psalm references are listed at the end of each hymn. Treat yourself to the pleasant experience of discovering and recognizing those correlations. You’ll probably be amazed as you make some of those discoveries.
Some of you have Scripture Citations (you can even get the app on your devices) that track the references made by all who speak in our Latter-day Saint General Conferences. Look under Psalms to discover which psalms have been quoted most often in the Conference sessions over the years.
Temple References in the Psalms
Sunday, August 14, 2022, is a date that will have a prominent notice in future Church history writings and references. On that day all three members of the First Presidency participated in sessions as the Washington D.C. Temple was rededicated. That followed a lengthy open-house period in which thousands of people, both Latter-day Saints, and non-members, toured the building. Many reported that it was a very moving and memorable spiritual experience.
References to the Temple in the Psalms
| Psalm 5:7 | But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. |
| Psalm 11:4 | The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. |
| Psalm 26:8 | Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. |
| Psalm 27:4–5 | One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. |
| Psalm 48:1–2, 9 | Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King…. We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. |
| Psalm 55:14 | We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. |
| Psalm 65:4 | Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. |
| Psalm 79:1 | O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. |
| Psalm 84:10 | For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. |
| Psalm 122:1, 9 | I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord…. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. |
| Psalm 134:1–2 | Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. |
| Psalm 135:2–3 | Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God, Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. |
| Psalm 138:1–2 | I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. |
A Temple Attendance Reminder
As the temples across the world are returning to their normal schedules after being closed because of the Covid pandemic, we remind you that you can bless both yourselves and your forefathers by attending the temple and participating in the sacred ordinances there performed. Suggestion: set a realistic temple attendance goal (every month, quarter, or whatever is realistic for you with your distance from your nearest temple) and be faithful in fulfilling your goal resolution. Bless yourselves! Jean and continue our many years of service as set-apart workers in the Bountiful Utah Temple. We know the blessings that follow temple attendance and service. May the good Lord bless you and keep you!