Psalms for Funerals: Readings to Say Aloud at a Service
The Psalms were written to be spoken aloud, which is why they belong at funerals: they give a grieving voice words that are older than the grief. Where most verse lists give you a single line, these are the longer readings — a whole psalm or a full passage — chosen for the moments in a service where someone stands up to read.
Psalm 23 — The Reading Everyone Knows
Read this one in the King James wording; it is the version the room will be mouthing along with you.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." — Psalm 23:1–6 (KJV)
Psalm 121 — For the Graveside
"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth… The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore." — Psalm 121:1–2, 7–8 (BSB)
Psalm 46 — When the Ground Has Shifted
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas… ‘Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.’" — Psalm 46:1–2, 10 (BSB)
Psalm 90 — For a Long Life, Well Lived
"Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations. Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God… So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom." — Psalm 90:1–2, 12 (BSB)
Psalm 139 — Nowhere Beyond God's Reach
"Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast." — Psalm 139:7–10 (BSB)
Psalm 27 — For a Believer's Funeral
"The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread?… One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple… Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!" — Psalm 27:1, 4, 13–14 (BSB)
Psalm 103 — On the Shortness of Life
"As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass— he blooms like a flower of the field; when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him" — Psalm 103:13–17 (BSB)
Psalm 130 — Out of the Depths
"Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy… I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning— more than watchmen wait for the morning." — Psalm 130:1–2, 5–6 (BSB)
Short Psalm Verses for a Program or Card
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit." — Psalm 34:18 (BSB)
"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." — Psalm 116:15 (BSB)
"In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken." — Psalm 62:1–2 (BSB)
How to Use These Psalms
Most services use one long psalm and one short one: Psalm 23 read by a family member near the start, and Psalm 121 at the graveside as the committal prayer is said. Psalm 90 suits a long life; Psalm 130 suits a hard death. For New Testament readings to pair with them, see our funeral Bible verses — or the quick list of scriptures for funerals if you only need ten — and for the family afterwards, the Bible verses about grief. Whoever reads: go slowly, and stop at the end of each line. Every translation quoted here is public domain, so any psalm can be printed in full in the program.