Psalm 91 - A Psalm of Protection

When you experience moments of fear, it is hard to stop being afraid by just telling yourself to stop. You need something more powerful to help you overcome your fear, and that power is prayer. Psalm 91, a prayer of protection, is a very good prayer for such situations.

I love this Psalm. It is comforting and powerful and bold. Most of the Psalm describes what you are protected from by dwelling in God's shadow - protection against disease, terrors in the night, destruction in the day, illness in your house, etc. I love the vivid imagery of verse 7 - a thousand people, ten thousand people may be dropping around you like flies, but you will not be affected! 

The last part of the Psalm (verses 14-16) is the most beautiful, though. The viewpoint shifts from a 3rd person point of view, to God's point of view. God promises to answer when you call, deliver you from trouble, satisfy you with long life and show you His salvation. I quote this part often, especially if some sudden fear enters my head about an early death. 

Next time you are fearful, or as a daily routine, try reading this Psalm, and as you read, believe in God's promises to you! He doesn't lie.

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”