The Power of Psalms

Psalm 27 – “Whom Shall I Fear?”

A declaration for when fear and intimidation are loud, but God is louder.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

This Psalm is for the one who feels emotionally or physically unsafe – controlled by messages, calls, threats or presence. It speaks directly against fear and intimidation and reminds you that God, not the abuser, is the final word over your life and safety.

• Before court, police, or difficult appointments.
• After receiving threatening or manipulative messages.
• When your body is shaking or your chest feels tight from fear.
• Any time you feel watched, followed or spiritually overwhelmed.

Read Psalm 27 out loud if you can. Place a hand on your chest and slow your breathing. Each time you see the words “whom shall I fear?”, pause and gently say:

Declaration: “Lord, break the hold of fear over me. Be my light, my protection and my safe place. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 91 – Under His Wings

Words for when you need to feel covered, guarded and not alone in the battle.

This Psalm describes God as a hiding place, a fortress, and a refuge who covers you with His feathers so you are not afraid of “the terror by night” or the dangers you can’t see.

For women facing stalking, harassment, ongoing abuse or spiritual oppression, Psalm 91 speaks to the unseen danger and anxiety. It reminds you that even when systems fail, God assigns angels and protection over you and your home.

• At night when you can’t sleep or keep checking the door.
• Before travelling, especially to stressful places.
• When flashbacks or fear hit you suddenly.
• As a daily covering over your home and children.

Read Psalm 91 slowly. You can walk around your room or home as you read, as if you are “lining the walls” with God’s Word.

Declaration: “Lord, hide me under Your wings. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Cover my home, my mind and my body in Your protection. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 35 – False Witnesses

A cry to God when people are lying on your name and enjoying your pain.

David talks about people who repay evil for good, spread lies and act like friends publicly but secretly scheme against him. He asks God to fight for him and bring their plans to nothing.

This Psalm speaks directly into smear campaigns, flying monkeys and people painting you as the problem. It reminds you that God sees every private conversation, DMs and twisted narrative, and that you do not have to fight every rumour in your own strength.

• When you find out what they’ve been saying about you.
• When family or friends are being turned against you.
• Before sharing your truth with professionals who may doubt you.

Read Psalm 35 honestly – even if you feel angry. God can handle your raw emotions.

Declaration: “Lord, You see every lie spoken about me. Fight for me where I cannot defend myself. Let truth outlive every rumour. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 55 – Wounds from a Friend

For when the one who betrayed you was the one you called friend, family or “safe”.

David says it wasn’t an enemy who hurt him, but a close companion who walked with him to the house of God. The pain is deeper because it came from someone he trusted.

Survivors are often betrayed by partners, friends, in-laws, church folk or professionals they trusted. This Psalm lets you say, “God, this cut came from the inside” – and know He understands that level of hurt.

• When a “best friend” or close person has turned on you.
• When people you helped now speak against you.
• When you feel stupid for trusting them and are blaming yourself.

Read Psalm 55 and allow yourself to grieve that loss. You didn’t imagine the connection – it was real, and the betrayal is real too.

Declaration: “Lord, You know the betrayal I carry. Heal the part of me that still aches for what I thought we had. Protect my heart from hardening, and surround me with safe people. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 34:18–19 – Close to the Brokenhearted

For the days you feel broken, crushed in spirit and wondering where God is in all this.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”

Abuse doesn’t just bruise the body; it crushes the inner world – your confidence, trust and sense of self. This Psalm says clearly: when your spirit feels crushed, God draws closer, not further away.

• After a breakdown, panic attack or heavy crying.
• On days you feel ashamed or “too broken” to be loved.
• When healing feels slow and you’re frustrated with yourself.

Read these verses like a whisper over your own heart. You can place a hand over your chest and say:

Declaration: “Lord, I am broken, but not abandoned. Be close to me in this place. Save the parts of me that feel crushed. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 147:3 – Heals the Brokenhearted

A simple, steady promise for long-term healing.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Healing after DV isn’t overnight. This Psalm reminds you that the God who sees your wounds is also committed to gently binding them up – again and again if needed.

• When you feel like you’ve gone backwards in healing.
• When memories resurface and you feel raw again.
• As a daily reminder that God is still working on your heart.

Declaration: “Lord, I give You my heart in the state it’s in. Bind up every hidden wound – emotional, mental, spiritual. Heal me layer by layer. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 18 – Pulled Out of Deep Waters

For when you feel trapped, tangled and unable to free yourself from the situation.

David describes God reaching down, taking hold of him and drawing him out of “deep waters” and rescuing him from powerful enemies too strong for him.

Abuse often feels like drowning in something you can’t explain. This Psalm acknowledges that sometimes the situation is stronger than you – but God is stronger than it.

• When you feel like you’ll never get out.
• When contact, messages or memories keep pulling you back.
• When you’re planning a safe exit and need courage.

Declaration: “Lord, reach into my situation and pull me out of what is too strong for me. Rescue me from every trap, seen and unseen. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 46 – God in the Chaos

For shaking, panic and the fear of what happens if you finally let go.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” even when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

Leaving abuse can feel like your whole world will collapse. This Psalm anchors you in the truth that even if things shake for a season, God holds you steady.

• Before making a big decision about leaving, reporting or blocking.
• When fear of the unknown keeps you stuck.
• When you feel guilty for choosing your own safety.

Declaration: “Lord, be my refuge and my strength. Give me courage to choose safety and freedom, even when I am scared. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 7 – God the Just Judge

A cry to God when you need justice and fair judgment.

David asks God to judge between him and his enemies, to defend the innocent and bring an end to the violence of the wicked.

Systems can fail, and courts can get it wrong. This Psalm reminds you there is a higher court – God’s – and you can ask Him to oversee every earthly process you are in.

• Before or after court hearings and legal meetings.
• When you feel the outcome was unfair or biased.
• When your evidence or voice feels small in big systems.

Declaration: “Lord, You are the just Judge. Let truth be seen and heard in every room I walk into. Cover my case with Your justice. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 37 – Do Not Fret Because of Evildoers

For when abusers seem to be “winning” and getting away with everything.

This Psalm tells you not to burn up with worry over those who do wrong, because their success is temporary. It calls you to trust in the Lord and do good, while He handles the outcome.

It can be crushing watching the abuser move on, look happy online, or win people to their side. Psalm 37 reminds you that God sees the full story, and you don’t have to chase every injustice alone.

• When you see them “thriving” while you are rebuilding.
• When their lies seem more powerful than your truth.
• When you feel tempted to revenge or bitterness.

Declaration: “Lord, teach me to trust You with justice. Guard my heart from bitterness and let my story be held in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 4:8 – Sleep in Safety

A one-verse anchor for nights when your nervous system won’t switch off.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

After abuse, night-time can be the hardest – your body remembers what your mind is trying to forget. This verse gives you a simple sentence to hold onto and repeat until your body starts to settle.

• When you’re lying in bed replaying conversations and events.
• After nightmares or night sweats.
• Any time you feel unsafe while trying to rest.

Declaration: “Lord, settle my mind and body. Let me lie down and sleep in Your peace and safety tonight. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 62 – My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone

For inner noise, overthinking and constant emotional alert mode.

The Psalmist keeps telling his own soul to “find rest in God,” calling God his rock, salvation and fortress.

Trauma keeps the body on guard. Psalm 62 lets you gently coach your own soul back into a place of safety in God, reminding yourself that you no longer have to live in constant defence mode.

• When you feel constantly on edge, even in safe places.
• Before bed, as a wind-down ritual with God.
• During the day when anxiety spikes without a clear reason.

Declaration: “Lord, let my soul find rest in You. Help my nervous system learn that I am no longer in danger. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 139 – Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

A reminder that you were fully known and loved by God long before the abuse tried to rename you.

This Psalm says God searched you, knows you, saw you in the womb and calls you “fearfully and wonderfully made”.

Abusers use words to rewrite your identity: needy, crazy, ugly, too much, not enough. Psalm 139 gives you God’s words about you to stand on instead.

• When you’re hearing their insults in your head.
• When you feel unlovable, unwanted or “too broken”.
• Before looking in the mirror or going out around people.

Declaration: “Lord, re-teach me who I am in You. Let Your words be louder than everything they ever called me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Psalm 103 – Crowned with Love

For when you feel undeserving, dirty, or like you should have “known better”.

This Psalm describes God as compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love, who “crowns you with love and compassion” and does not treat you as your mistakes deserve.

Many survivors blame themselves: “Why did I stay? Why did I go back?” Psalm 103 reminds you that God sees you through compassion, not condemnation, and that shame is not your portion.

• When you feel guilty for not leaving sooner.
• When you are harsh towards yourself in your thoughts.
• When you are scared God is disappointed in you.

Declaration: “Lord, thank You that You are gentle with me. Help me receive Your compassion and lay down shame. Crown me with Your love again. In Jesus’ name, amen.”