You don’t need a breviary to do the same. Choose one psalm, read it slowly, and let one line stay with you as you go about the day. Here are four psalms that have been prayed at dawn for centuries.
Historical Context
Psalm 5: Directing My Prayer
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” — Psalm 5:3
Lord, before anything else today, I’m talking to you.
I’ll look up and watch for your answer.
Amen.
Psalm 63: Thirsting for God
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee.” — Psalm 63:1
Lord, I wake up thirsty for you.
Fill me today, and let me find you in everything.
Amen.
Psalm 143: Show Me the Way
“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk.” — Psalm 143:8
Lord, let the first thing I hear today be your love.
Show me which way to go.
Amen.
Psalm 90: Satisfy Us Early
“O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” — Psalm 90:14
Lord, fill this morning with your mercy,
so that whatever happens later, I’ll have enough joy for it.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- First thing in the morning, before your phone.
- With coffee, reading one psalm slowly.
- With your family at breakfast.
Scripture Connection
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD… To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.” — Psalm 92:1-2
Psalm 92 gives a simple pattern for the day: love in the morning, faithfulness at night. Morning is for remembering how loved we are.
Related prayers
For early mornings, see the 5am Prayer and Monday Prayer. For evening psalms, the Vespers Prayer.