Nephi’s Psalm – 2 Nephi 4:15-35

Setting

After his father died, Nephi’s relationship with his oldest brothers, Laman and Lemuel deteriorated. They had never been very receptive to his admonitions, but now, their anger was increasing (2 Nephi 4:13). Nephi was frustrated, not only with them but also with his own response to them (2 Nephi 4:27, 29).

Purpose

Nephi’s purpose in writing his psalm is to express his sorrow that his actions are falling so far short of his expectations.

Outline

The psalm divides into three parts: an expression of remorse, a call to action, and a prayer for redemption.

1. Expression of remorse (2 Nephi 4:15-27)
   1. “My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord” (2 Nephi 4:15-16).
   2. “Nevertheless…my heart groaneth because of my sins” (2 Nephi 4:17-19)
   3. God has led me through the wilderness, filled me with His love, and given me knowledge by visions (2 Nephi 4:20-25).
   4. “If I have seen so great things,…why should I yield to sin” (2 Nephi 4:26-27)?
2. Call to action: “Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin” (2 Nephi 4:28-30).
3. Prayer for redemption (2 Nephi 4:31-35)
   1. “O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul” (2 Nephi 4:31-33)?
   2. “I will trust in thee,” not in “the arm of flesh” (2 Nephi 4:34).
   3. “God will give liberally to him that asketh” (2 Nephi 4:35).

My Takeaways

It’s one thing to want to change and another to actually do so. In this psalm, we see Nephi passing through three stages of emotion as he reacts to his own shortcomings. During the first stage, he speaks to the reader, expressing bewilderment and even exasperation at his own lack of ability to live up to blessings he has received. In the second stage, he speaks to his own soul, commanding himself to muster sufficient will-power to do better. Finally, in the third stage, he turns to God, pleading for the help that he needs. His tone is humble but confident. If God has done so much for him, surely God can help him change. His reference to a verse from Jeremiah at the end underscores his recognition of dependence on the Lord: “cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh” (2 Nephi 4:34, Jeremiah 17:5). By referencing this passage, Nephi is acknowledging that he will not be able to do this alone. Only by God’s grace will he be able to overcome his sins.

I will respond to Nephi’s words by emulating his honesty, his determination, and his faith. I will recognize and acknowledge my sins and weaknesses. I will work hard to overcome them. And I will turn to God, recognizing that only through His redeeming power will I be successful in becoming the person I want to be.

Blog Posts About Nephi’s Psalm

• “Take Especial Care of Your Family” (11/6/2025)
• Patriarchal Blessings (10/30/2025)
• Still and Small (8/6/2025)
• Fearing Man vs. Relying on God (4/9/2025)
• Entangled Again (3/11/2025)
• Feeling Condemned (1/23/2025)
• What Do You Delight In? (11/3/2024)
• Strictness (7/17/2024)
• No More Desire to Do Evil (6/28/2024)
• Stumbling Blocks (3/13/2024)
• Patterns of Repentance in Nephi’s Psalm (2/16/2024)
• Wretched (2/15/2024)
• About Isaiah and Plainness (2/4/2024)
• Developing Christlike Attributes (11/25/2023)
• Ask Not Amiss (11/14/2023)
• All Scripture Is Profitable (10/25/2023)
• Sin and Law (8/15/2023)
• “Is It I?” (5/31/2023)
• Their Angels (4/21/2023)
• “Doest Thou Well to Be Angry?” (11/23/2022)
• Compassed (11/22/2022)
• We Have Sinned (11/2/2022)
• Stages of Grief and Faith in the Third Lamentation and Nephi’s Psalm (10/21/2022)
• Trust in the Lord (8/31/2022)
• Nephi’s Psalm and the Book of Psalms (8/28/2022)
• The Book of Psalms and the Book of Mormon (8/27/2022)
• “O, My Soul” (8/25/2022)
• The Rock of Our Salvation (8/20/2022)
• My Fortress (8/11/2022)
• Patriarchs and Matriarchs (3/20/2022)
• “Be Not Grieved, Nor Angry with Yourselves” (3/19/2022)
• Heavenly Help (2/22/2022)
• “Highly Favored” – Alma 9:20-24 (6/14/2020)
• “I Will Praise Thee” – 2 Nephi 4:30 (4/7/2020)
• “Which Easily Doth Beset You” – Alma 7:15 (4/2/2020)
• “My Heart Pondereth Continually” – 2 Nephi 4:15-16 (2/8/2020)
• The Arm of Flesh – 2 Nephi 4:34 (2/6/2020)
• How Does the Savior Bring Us Peace? (12/25/2019)
• What Do We Know About God’s Love for Us? (12/2/2019)
• How Can I Be a Both a Defender of Truth and a Peacemaker? (10/19/2019)
• What Is the Relationship Between the Family and the Church? (9/18/2019)
• What Is the Ministering of Angels? (8/4/2019)
• How Can I Find Peace? (7/23/2019)
• What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Self-Reliance? (7/18/2019)
• What Should I Do When I Feel Inadequate? (7/12/2019)
• What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Holy Ghost? (4/17/2019)
• What Can We Learn from the Prayers Recorded in the Book of Mormon? (3/28/2019)
• What Can We Learn About Prayer From Nephi? (3/26/2019)
• What Is the Meaning of the Title “Lord of Hosts?” (3/4/2019)
• That I May Shake at the Appearance of Sin – 2 Nephi 4:31 (9/8/2018)
• Nephi’s Psalm – 2 Nephi 4:15-35 (9/7/2018)
• Ye Shall Prosper in the Land – 2 Nephi 4:4 (8/18/2018)
• Rejoice, O My Heart – 2 Nephi 4:28-30 (8/8/2017)
• If I Have Seen So Great Things – 2 Nephi 4:26-28 (8/7/2017)
• For the Learning and the Profit of My Children – 2 Nephi 4:15 (2/25/2017)
• Because of My Flesh – 2 Nephi 4:27-29 (2/2/2016)
• 2 Nephi 4:19 I Know in Whom I Have Trusted (2/9/2015)
• 2 Nephi 4:16 My Soul Delighteth in the Things of the Lord (2/8/2015)
• 2 Nephi 4:5 I Cannot Go Down to My Grave Save I Should Leave a Blessing Upon You (2/8/2015)