Psalm 23 – A Psychospiritual Balm for Anxiety
These are difficult times. The global community is being challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in much physical and psychological suffering, and the death of more than 60,000 people worldwide. Anxiety, stress, panic, worry, fear, apprehension and helplessness are among words that are being cited to describe the thoughts and emotions of many around the world.
Apr 17, 2020

By Dr Xavier V. Pereira
These are difficult times. The global community is being challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in much physical and psychological suffering, and the death of more than 60,000 people worldwide. Anxiety, stress, panic, worry, fear, apprehension and helplessness are among words that are being cited to describe the thoughts and emotions of many around the world.
A number of my patients who already have existing anxiety and depressive disorders are justifiably feeling more anxious. There has been a need to increase the dosage of medication and intensify psychological interventions in some patients. Many have also resorted to prayer and reading scripture to assist in the management of their anxiety. In recent times, some schools of psychotherapy have incorporated cultural, religious and spiritual adaptations to alleviate the suffering arising from anxiety and depression. Patients with a religious predisposition report that prayer and words from the holy scriptures augment the treatment that they adhere to.
One prayer that has helped some of my patients is Psalm 23. Several years ago, I introduced this psalm to a Catholic patient of mine suffering from anxiety. I have to confess that this was an afterthought at the end of the consultation he had with me. During the subsequent follow up appointment, he reported that the daily prayerful recitation of Psalm 23 was very helpful in reducing his anxiety. We were both pleasantly surprised!
Since then, I have been ‘prescribing’ Psalm 23, in addition to medication and psychological interventions, for a number of my Christian patients with anxiety disorders. I recommend the psalm only after assessing the person as being open to prayer and being able to use scripture for prayer. The outcomes have been good.
As Psalm 23 cannot be deemed a treatment or an augmentation therapy for anxiety disorders without clinical trials, I decided to use the word balm to describe the effect of Psalm 23 in reducing anxiety. A balm soothes and heals.
Psalm 23 seems to soothe and contribute to healing. Since Psalm 23 is able to soothe those with anxiety disorders, it should also soothe the fear and anxiety associated with the COVID 19 pandemic. A disorder is an illness. The feelings and thoughts associated with anxiety that many people have been experiencing during this pandemic are not yet symptoms of disorders. I hope this statement is reassuring. An understanding of the reasons for these thoughts and feelings of fear and anxiety may assist in the alleviation of these symptoms. Strategies like mindfulness and relaxation techniques have also been proven to be effective. Why not also pray Psalm 23 once or twice a day?
--Dr Xavier is the Chairperson of the Catholic Counsellors, Therapists, Psychologists and Psychiatrists of Malaysia. He is a Visiting Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist at KPJ Selangor Specialist Hospital
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