Praying the Rosary with the Psalms
Praying the Rosary with the Psalms allows Catholics to unite Scripture with Marian devotion in a powerful and deeply biblical way.
For centuries, Christians have turned to the Psalms as a school of prayer. These ancient songs express every human emotion – joy, sorrow, hope, trust, and longing for God. In the early Church, monks chanted all 150 Psalms as part of the Divine Office, using beads or knotted ropes to keep track of their progress. Over time, this simple counting tool evolved into what we now know as the Rosary.
The Rosary was once commonly called “Our Lady’s Psalter”, because its 150 Hail Marys mirrored the 150 Psalms. In praying this, ordinary lay people joined their voices to those of the monks, offering praise to God with Our Lady. This chapter restores that ancient connection by offering the Rosary alongside short verses from each Psalm, helping the faithful meditate on Scripture while praying with rosary beads.
1. The Origins of Our Lady’s Psalter
From the Psalms to the Rosary
In the Middle Ages, most lay people could not read or chant the full Divine Office, but they longed to unite their daily prayer with the Church. As a loving response to this desire, the tradition arose of praying 150 Hail Marys, one for each Psalm. Thus the Rosary became a “Psalter” for the lay community, by becoming an accessible way to join the praises of monks and clergy.
Rosary beads served as practical aids to keep count of the prayers, just as prayer ropes had assisted monks in keeping count of psalm recitations. As devotion to Our Lady grew, the Rosary developed into a meditative prayer on the mysteries of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Alongside this development, the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary emerged as a shorter, Marian form of the Divine Office. It was beloved by priests, religious, and lay faithful alike. During times of persecution, especially in Great Britain, bishops encouraged the faithful to cling to this prayer when public Catholic worship was forbidden.
Through these traditions, we see that the Rosary, the Psalter, and the Little Office all share a common spirit: praising God through Scripture in union with Our Lady.
2. Why Praying the Rosary with the Psalms Is Important
A Weapon for Our Times
Our Lady herself has spoken of the power of this devotion. According to tradition, she told St. Dominic:
“I want you to know that, in this kind of warfare, the battering ram has always been the Angelic Psalter… If you want to reach hardened souls and win them over to God, preach My Psalter.” – The Secret of the Rosary, St. Louis de Montfort
Our Lady’s language is strong. She calls the Rosary a battering ram, not a sentimental tool for comfort but a spiritual weapon for truth, conversion, and perseverance in faith. When we pray the Rosary with the Psalms, we anchor our prayer even more deeply in Sacred Scripture.
Why It Matters Today
In a world marked by confusion, secularism, and spiritual weariness, returning to Scripture is essential. The Psalms teach us how to feel, how to hope, how to trust. The Rosary teaches us how to follow Christ with Mary. Together, they form a powerful prayer:
- For families seeking unity and peace
- For individuals fighting temptation or discouragement
- For the Church facing opposition and misunderstanding
- For a modern world longing for healing
Praying this Psalter helps restore a rhythm of prayer in daily life, drawing the heart back to God through repetition, meditation, and Scripture.
Spiritual Graces Attached
While the Church does not assign a specific indulgence to this combined form, both elements of praying the Rosary and praying Scripture, carry rich graces, such as:
- Greater love for Christ through meditation on His life
- Protection against temptation
- Increased peace of soul
- Growth in virtue
- Strength against error and confusion
- Union with the prayer of the Church across time
- Our Lady’s maternal intercession
“You will see miracles,” St. Louis de Montfort assures those who faithfully pray the Rosary. Adding the Psalms can only deepen these graces.
3. How to Pray the Rosary with the Psalms
The Psalter is prayer in the same way you pray a traditional 15-decade Rosary, with a small addition:
Before each Hail Mary, read one short verse from the Psalms.
Simple Steps
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
- Pray the Apostles’ Creed, Our Father, three Hail Marys, and Glory Be.
- Announce the Mystery.
- Read the Psalm verse for the decade (one verse before each bead).
- Pray the Hail Mary.
- Continue this pattern for all ten beads.
- Conclude each decade with the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer (optional).
- Continue through all 15 Mysteries.
You may pray one set of mysteries per day if a full 15-decade Rosary is not possible. What matters most is the union of Scripture and devotion, praying with attention and love. If still uncertain, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Praying the Rosary with the Psalms
Below is a list of verses from the 150 Psalms and the Mysteries of the Rosary. I’ve numbered the Psalms 1-10 to guide you.
Important: Please see previous blogpost on How To Pray the Most Holy Rosary for a step-by-step guide on how to pray this devotion, and then weave in the Psalms announcing them before each Hail Mary.
The Joyful Mysteries
– Celebrating the Incarnation and early life of Jesus.
The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
– Luke 1:26–38 – The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God.
1. Happy the man who…delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on His law day and night. —Ps 1:1-2
2. Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession. —Ps 2:8
3. You, O Lord, are my shield; my glory, You lift up my head! —Ps 3:4
4. O Lord, let the light of Your countenance shine upon us! —Ps 4:7
5. At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before You. —Ps 5:3
6. Heal me, O Lord, for my body is in terror. —Ps 6:3
7. Let the assembly of the peoples surround You; above them on high be enthroned. —Ps 7:8
8. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings You have fashioned praise. —Ps 8:3
9. The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of distress. —Ps 9:10
10. Rise, O Lord! O God, lift up your hand! Forget not the afflicted! —Ps 10:12
The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
– Luke 1:39–56 – Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, pregnant with John the Baptist.
1. His eyes behold, His searching glance is on mankind. —Ps 11:4
2. The promises of the Lord are sure, like tried silver, freed from dross, sevenfold refined. —Ps 12:7
3. Let my heart rejoice in Your salvation; let me sing of the Lord, “He has been good to me.” —Ps 13:6
4. Oh, that out of Zion would come the salvation of Israel! —Ps 14:7
5. O Lord, who shall sojourn in Your tent? Who shall dwell on Your holy mountain? He who walks blamelessly. —Ps 15:1-2
6. You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in Your presence, the delights at Your right hand forever. —Ps 16:11
7. My steps have been steadfast in Your paths, my feet have not faltered. —Ps 17:5
8. I love You, O Lord, my Strength, O Lord, my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer. —Ps 18:2-3
9. Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. Ps. 19:5
10. May He grant you what is in your heart and fulfill your every plan. May we shout for joy at your victory. —Ps 20: 5-6
The Third Joyful Mystery: The Birth of Jesus
– Luke 2:1–20 – Jesus is born in Bethlehem.
1. You gladdened him with the joy of Your presence. —Ps 21:7
2. To You I was committed at birth, from my mother’s womb You are my God. —Ps 22:11
3. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. —Ps 23:1
4. Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! —Ps 24:7-9
5. He guides the humble to justice, He teaches the humble His way. —Ps 25:9
6. Your kindness is before my eyes. —Ps 26:3
7. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? —Ps 27:1
8. My heart exults, and with my song I give Him thanks. —Ps 28:7
9. May the Lord give strength to His people; may the Lord bless His people with peace! —Ps 29:11
10. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing. —Ps 30:6
The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
– Luke 2:22–38 – Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the temple.
1. Into Your hands I commend my spirit. —Ps 31:6
2. Happy the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. —Ps 32:2
3. Happy the nation whose God is the Lord. —Ps 33:12
4. I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall be ever in my mouth. —Ps 34:2
5. My tongue shall recount Your justice, Your praise, all the day. —Ps 35:28
6. With You is the fountain of life, and in Your light we see light. —Ps 36:10
7. Commit to the Lord your way; trust in Him, and He will act. —Ps 37:5
8. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation! —Ps 38:23
9. And now, for what do I wait, O Lord? In You is my hope. —Ps 39:8
10. I have made no secret of Your kindness and Your truth in the vast assembly. —Ps 40:11
The Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
– Luke 2:41–52 – Mary and Joseph find Jesus teaching in the temple.
1. The Lord will keep and preserve him; He will make him happy on the earth. —Ps 41:3
2. Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why do you sigh within me? Hope in God! —Ps 42:6
3. Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy. —Ps 43:4
4. Our fathers have declared to us, the deeds You did in their days. —Ps 44:2
5. I will make your name memorable through all generations; therefore shall nations praise you forever and ever. —Ps 45:18
6. The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. —Ps 46:4, 8, 12
7. The Lord, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. —Ps 47:3
8. Great is the Lord and wholly to be praised in the city of our God. —Ps 48:2
9. My mouth shall speak wisdom; prudence shall be the utterance of my heart. —Ps 49:4
10. Hear, My people, and I will speak; Israel, I will testify against you; God, your God am I. —Ps 50:7
The Sorrowful Mysteries
– Reflecting on Christ’s Passion and death.
The First Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus’ Agony in the Garden
– Matthew 26:36–46 – Jesus prays in Gethsemane before His arrest.
1. The bones You have crushed shall rejoice. —Ps 51:10
2. I, like a green olive tree in the house of God, trust in the kindness of God forever and ever. —Ps 52:10
3. Oh, that out of Zion would come the salvation of Israel! —Ps 53:7
4. For haughty men have risen up against me, and fierce men seek my life. —Ps 54:5
5. In the evening, and at dawn, and at noon, I will grieve and moan. —Ps 55:18
6. They gather together in hiding, they watch my steps. —Ps 56:7
7. In the shadow of Your wings I take refuge. —Ps 57:2
8. Theirs is poison like a serpent’s, like that of a stubborn snake that stops its ears. —Ps 58:5
9. For behold, they lie in wait for my life; mighty men come together against me. —Ps 59:4
10. Worthless is the help of men. —Ps 60:13
The Second Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus is Scourged at the Pillar
– John 19:1 – Jesus is scourged by Roman soldiers.
1. From the earth’s end I call to You as my heart grows faint. —Ps 61:3
2. How long will you set upon a man and all together beat him down? —Ps 62:4
3. The mouths of those who speak falsely shall be stopped. —Ps 63:12
4. Hear, O God, my voice in my lament; from the dread enemy preserve my life. —Ps 64:2.
5. We are overcome by our sins; it is You Who pardon them. —Ps 65:4
6. You laid a heavy burden on our backs. You let men ride over our heads. —Ps 66:11-12
7. May all the ends of the earth fear Him! —Ps 67:8
8. You will bathe your feed in blood. —Ps 68:24
9. Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak. —Ps 69:21
10. I am afflicted and poor. —Ps 70:6
The Third Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus is Crowned with Thorns
– Matthew 27:29 – Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns.
1. They who keep watch against my life take counsel together. —Ps 71:10
2. All kings shall pay Him homage, all nations shall serve Him. —Ps 72:11
3. …as a robe violence enwraps them. —Ps 73:6
4. How long, O God, shall the foe blaspheme? Shall the enemy revile Your name forever? —Ps 74:10
5. Speak not haughtily against the Rock. —Ps 75:6
6. Let all round about Him bring gifts to the terrible Lord. —Ps 76:12
7. By night my hands are stretched out without flagging; my soul refuses comfort. —Ps 77:3
8. He surrendered his strength into captivity, his glory into the hands of the foe. —Ps 78:61
9. They have defiled Your holy temple. —Ps 79:1
10. Our enemies mock us. —Ps 80:7
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus Carries the Cross
– Luke 23:26–32 – Jesus carries His Cross to Calvary.
1. I relieved his shoulder of the burden. —Ps 81:7
2. All the foundations of the earth are shaken. —Ps 82:5
3. For behold, Your enemies raise a tumult, and they who hate You lift up their heads. —Ps 83:3
4. Look upon the face of your anointed. —Ps 84:10
5. Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. —Ps 85:14
6. Teach me, O Lord, Your way that I may walk in Your truth. —Ps 86:11
7. My home is within you. —Ps 87:7
8. Companion and neighbor You have taken from me; my only friend is darkness. —Ps 88:19
9. I will punish their crime with a rod and their guilt with stripes. —Ps 89:33
10. You have kept our iniquities before You. —Ps 90:8
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus Dies on the Cross
– Luke 23:33–46 – Jesus is crucified and dies for our salvation.
1. I will be with him in distress. —Ps 91:15
2. How great are Your works, O Lord! How very deep are Your thoughts! —Ps 92:6
3. The Lord is King. —Ps 93:1
4. They attack the life of the just and condemn innocent blood. —Ps 94:21
5. Let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us. —Ps 95:6
6. Tremble before Him, all the earth. —Ps 96:9
7. Clouds and darkness are round about Him. —Ps 97:2
8. The Lord has made His salvation known. —Ps 98:2
9. A forgiving God You were to them. —Ps 99:8
10. Know that the Lord is God. —Ps 100:3
The Glorious Mysteries
– Focusing on the Resurrection and the glory of Christ and Mary.
The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead
– Luke 24:1–12 – Jesus rises from the dead.
1. Each morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land. —Ps 101:8
2. You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to pity her. —Ps 102:14
3. He redeems your life from destruction. —Ps 103:4
4. You are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak. —Ps 104:1-2
5. Seek to serve Him constantly. Recall the wondrous deeds that He has wrought. —Ps 105:4-5
6. Who can tell the mighty deeds of the Lord, or proclaim all is praises? —Ps 106:2
7. He led them forth from darkness and gloom and broke their bonds asunder. —Ps 107:14
8. Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp; I will wake the dawn. —Ps 108:3
9. Let them know that this is Your hand, that You, O Lord, have done this. —Ps 109:27
10. The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.” —Ps 110:1
The Second Glorious Mystery: Jesus Ascends into Heaven
– Acts 1:6–11 – Jesus ascends into Heaven.
1. He has made known to His people the power of His works. —Ps 111:6
2. He dawns, through the darkness, a light for the upright. —Ps 112:4
3. He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor. —Ps 113:7
4. Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back? —Ps 114:5
5. Our God is in heaven; whatever He wills, He does. —Ps 115:3
6. He has freed my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. —Ps 116:8
7. Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify Him, all you peoples! —Ps 117:1
8. Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord. —Ps 118:19
9. Give me life according to Your word. —Ps 119:25
10. All too long have I dwelt with those who hate peace. —Ps 120:6
The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit
– Acts 2:1–13 – The Holy Spirit descends on the apostles.
1. I lift up my eyes toward the mountains; whence shall help come to me? —Ps 121:1
2. I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the Lord.” —Ps 122:1
3. To you I lift up my eyes Who are enthroned in heaven. —Ps 123:1
4. Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. —Ps 124:8
5. The Lord is round about His people, both now and forever. —Ps 125:2
6. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. —Ps 126:2
7. Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it. —Ps 127:1
8. Happy are you who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways! —Ps 128:1
9. The blessing of the Lord be upon you! —Ps 129:8
10. My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn. —Ps 130:6
The Fourth Glorious Mystery: Mary is Taken Up into Heaven
– Revelation 12:1 (Tradition) – Mary is assumed body and soul into Heaven.
1. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap [so is my soul within me]. —Ps 131:2
2. For the Lord has chosen Zion; He prefers her for His dwelling. —Ps 132:13
3. For there the Lord has pronounced His blessing, life forever. —Ps 133:3
4. Lift up your hands toward the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. —Ps 134:2
5. The Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself. —Ps 135:4
6. His mercy endures forever. —Ps 136:1
7. How could we sing a song of the Lord in a foreign land? —Ps 137:4
8. The Lord will complete what He has done for me; Your kindness, O Lord, endures forever. —Ps 138:8
9. If I go up to the heavens, You are there. —Ps 139:8
10. The upright shall dwell in Your presence. —Ps 140:14
The Fifth Glorious Mystery: Mary is Crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth
– Revelation 12:1 (Tradition) – Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.
1. O Lord, to You I call; hasten to me; hearken to my voice when I call upon You. —Ps 141:1
2. The just shall gather around me when You have been good to me. —Ps 142:8
3. Bring to nought all my foes, for I am Your servant. —Ps 143:12
4. Reach out Your hand from on high. —Ps 144:7
5. Let them discourse of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might. —Ps 145:11
6. The Lord raises up those that are bowed down. —Ps 146:8
7. The Lord is pleased with those who fear Him, with those who hope for His kindness. —Ps 147:11
8. Praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted. —Ps 148:13
9. He adorns the lowly with victory. —Ps 149:4
10. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Alleluia! —Ps 150:6
Conclusion
By praying the Rosary with the Psalms, you enter into the prayer of the Church across centuries.
Reconnecting the Psalms with the Rosary brings us back to the heart of Christian prayer: Scripture, meditation, and the companionship of Our Lady. This “Psalter of Our Lady” gathers the ancient prayers of Israel and unites them to the mysteries of Christ. It is simple, powerful, and deeply rooted in the Church’s history.
May this devotion help you grow closer to Jesus, strengthen your faith, and draw down grace for the world. And may Our Lady, Queen of the Psalter, guide your heart as you pray.
Frequently Asked Questions About Praying the Rosary with the Psalms
What is Our Lady’s Psalter?
Our Lady’s Psalter is the traditional name for the Rosary, reflecting its connection to the 150 Psalms.
Is praying the Rosary with the Psalms approved by the Church?
While not a required form, combining Scripture with the Rosary aligns with Catholic tradition and devotion.
Can I pray only one set of mysteries per day?
Yes. Many Catholics pray one set daily.
Leave a Reply