Psalm 91 (also known as Psalm 90 in some translations) is is the 91st psalm of the Book of Psalms and is often described as one of the most powerful and comforting passages in the entire Bible. It’s a go-to chapter for many believers, especially during times of uncertainty or hardship.
What makes this Psalm so special?
It’s all about the profound sense of security and protection that comes from trusting in God. The words paint a vivid picture of divine shelter, giving courage to those who read it.
Many people find themselves drawn to Psalm 91 when facing life’s challenges. Its verses speak of God’s faithfulness and His promise to guard those who put their faith in Him. For believers who truly take these words to heart, the Psalm offers a remarkable source of strength.
Perhaps most powerfully, Psalm 91 reassures us that when we place our complete trust in the Lord, we need not fear the threats or deceptions of the enemy. It’s a reminder of God’s constant presence and care in our lives, no matter what we might face.
Whether you’re going through tough times or simply seeking to deepen your faith, Psalm 91 is definitely worth a read. It might just become your spiritual anchor in life’s storms!
Psalm 90/91: The Most Powerful Prayer for Protection
When life throws challenges your way and you’re seeking God’s protection and reassurance, Psalm 91 can be a powerful source of comfort. It’s a beautiful reminder of God’s unwavering love and provision, both in times of plenty and in times of need.
Take some time to read through this psalm slowly and prayerfully.
Let its words sink deep into your heart.
Consider making it a part of your daily devotions, reflecting on how God’s promises apply to your specific situation.
As you meditate on these verses, you might find certain lines particularly meaningful. Why not try memorizing those?
Having God’s Word readily available in your mind can be incredibly uplifting. You could even set reminders on your phone to reflect on these verses throughout your day.
There’s something truly special about committing Scripture to memory. In moments of uncertainty or struggle, the Holy Spirit often brings these memorized verses to mind, gently reminding us of God’s faithfulness and promises.
The power of Psalm 91 extends beyond personal comfort. Its truths can be a source of protection for you, your loved ones, and indeed, for people all around the world. It’s a testament to God’s all-encompassing care.
So, shall we take a moment to pray and reflect on these words of hope and protection?
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on 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.”
The Psalm 91 Prayer
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your continued presence with us.
Thank You for Your Almighty wings which cast an impenetrable shadow of protection.
Thank You for going before us; and for covering us from behind.
Thank You for choosing to be in our midst, for lifting our burdens, and for securing the Heavenly place You have prepared for us.
Your divine Words bring so much hope and comfort to our hearts. Remind us daily of Your strength, and may we always see glimpses of Your infallible glory and blessing as we seek Your face throughout our days.
Victory and salvation are found in You alone, Lord. It is in the Mighty Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
10 Prayers Within Psalm 91
1. Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. – Psalm 91:1 NLT
Father, I praise You as the Almighty God. Thank You that not only can I run to You for shelter, but I can set up camp, get comfortable, and rest in the shade of your powerful protection. Please help me draw so close to You that no enemy dares to approach me as I rest in Your shadow. Help me to find peace in the nearness of Your mighty presence.
2. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. – Psalm 91:2 NLT
Father, thank You that You are a safe place for me to go for help. You invite me into Your presence and scoop me up into Your arms every time I run to You. You listen to me and meet my fears, doubts, and failures with Your promises. You know my heart, and my every thought is safe with You. I trust You with anything. Please remind me to always run to You in times of trouble.
3. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. – Psalm 91:3 NLT
Lord, thank You for providing Your Word to safely guide my steps in troubled times, up steep hills, and through deep valleys. Help me see the traps of doubt, fear, and anger that the enemy has laid for me along the way. Guard my heart against anything that would rob me of my joy and confidence in You.
4. He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. – Psalm 91:4 NLT
Lord, I praise You for Your father’s heart for me. You wrap me in Your fierce and protective love, Your mighty wings drawn tight around me as the enemy rages against me. Your promises carry my fear far away and calm my heart. They are my shield and my strength. Thank You for providing all I need in times of trouble.
5. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. – Psalm 91:5 NLT
Lord Jesus, You are the mighty Prince of Peace. Because You are faithful and rule over heaven and earth, I don’t need to be afraid of anything that comes into my life or the lives of my loved ones. Please help me to remember there is nothing that can touch my life apart from Your loving purpose. Thank You for Your Spirit’s protection, strength, and wisdom to meet every challenge.
6. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. – Psalm 91:8 NLT
Lord Jesus, I praise You as a just judge who sees all the wrongdoing in this world. You know how others have hurt me, and You know that I haven’t acted correctly towards others either. Thank You for showing mercy to those who love You. Please open my eyes to see You at work in my life and help me trust You when life feels unfair.
7. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. – Psalm 91:9-10 NLT
Father, I praise You as a God I can trust and under whose canopy of love I can rest. I’m so thankful that Your heart of love for me and Your promises to provide for me will never fail. Through You, I can have victory over every enemy that comes against me. No matter how strong my enemies, You are still greater. In Your presence, I can find peace and safety.
8. For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. – Psalm 91:11-12 NLT
Lord, I praise You as an abundant giver. You know the spiritual battle that I face today, and You have provided Your Spirit, Your Word, and even angels as ministers of Your love to protect me. Your love goes before me, stooping to remove even the tiniest pebble that could cause me to stumble. Thank You for providing so much for me.
9. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! – Psalm 91:13 NLT
Lord Jesus, in Your mighty name, I can overcome every enemy. My worst fears and deepest dreads about my life or future are nothing compared to the power of Your Word to defeat them. Please help me to meet the anxious thoughts that lie in wait for me with faith in Your promises of good toward me. Help me trust in Your plans for me.
10. The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My name. – Psalm 91:14 NLT
Father, I praise You as a personal God who sticks with me through the darkest times of my life. Your ear is tuned to the frequency of my heart’s cry, and my tears move You swift and sure to my rescue. Thank You for rescuing me when no one else could. Please help me to trust in Your name and work on my behalf.
More About Psalm 91
Psalm 91 is a treasure trove of spiritual wisdom and comfort. As we’ve seen, its words have brought solace and strength to countless believers throughout the ages. But there’s always more to discover in Scripture.
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at Psalm 91, exploring its rich meanings, historical context, and practical applications for our lives today. Whether you’re familiar with this psalm or encountering it for the first time, prepare to gain new insights into this powerful passage of God’s Word.
What Is the Meaning of Psalm 91?
Psalm 91 is a powerful example to the unwavering protection and comfort God offers to those who place their trust in Him. This psalm paints a vivid picture of divine shelter and security, even in the face of life’s most daunting challenges.
The psalm opens with a beautiful image of safety, describing how those who dwell in God’s shelter find rest under His shadow. It’s a reminder that when we make God our refuge, we can find peace even in tumultuous times. The psalmist boldly declares, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust,” setting the tone for the entire passage.
As the psalm unfolds, it uses rich metaphors to illustrate God’s protection. We’re told that He will cover us with His feathers, and under His wings we will find refuge. It’s a tender, parental image of God shielding His children from harm. This divine protection, the psalm assures us, guards against a myriad of dangers – from deadly pestilence to the terrors of night.
The confidence expressed in Psalm 91 is striking. It declares that even as thousands fall around us, we will remain unharmed if we’ve made God our dwelling place. This isn’t a promise of a trouble-free life, but rather an assurance of God’s presence and protection through life’s storms.
Interestingly, the psalm also speaks of angelic protection, describing how God commands His angels to guard us in all our ways. It’s a comforting thought that we have heavenly beings watching over us, ready to catch us if we stumble.
As the psalm draws to a close, we hear God’s own voice, confirming the promises made throughout. God pledges to rescue, protect, and answer those who love Him and acknowledge His name. It’s a personal, intimate promise of God’s presence in times of trouble, His deliverance, and ultimately, the gift of a satisfying, long life.
Who Was The Author of Psalm 91?
Who wrote Psalm 91 is an intriguing question, and the answer isn’t as straightforward as we might hope.
Unlike some psalms that clearly state their author, Psalm 91 comes without a specific name attached. This has led to various theories and traditions about its origins.
In Jewish tradition, there’s a belief that Moses penned this powerful psalm. This comes from the fact that Psalm 90, which precedes it, is explicitly attributed to Moses. Some rabbinical teachings extend this authorship to include Psalms 90 through 100 as a collection of Moses’ works.
However, other traditions point to King David as the potential author. As the most prolific psalmist in the Bible, it’s not uncommon for unattributed psalms to be linked to him. Although there’s no direct biblical evidence supporting David’s authorship of Psalm 91.
More recent scholarship has introduced another possibility. Some modern scholars suggest that Psalm 91 might have been composed during or after the Babylonian exile, based on its themes and language. This theory would place its writing much later than either Moses or David.
Given these varying theories, many biblical scholars today simply regard Psalm 91 as an anonymous composition, written by an unknown author and later compiled with other psalms during the formation of the Book of Psalms.
Why Is Psalm 91 Such A Popular Prayer?
Psalm 91’s immense popularity is easy to understand as it offers a powerful reassurance of God’s protection for those who trust in Him, with a direct promise from God Himself: “I will be with him. I will deliver him.”
In times of personal crisis or global turmoil, the psalm’s promises of divine protection provide a sense of peace and security.
With challenges and uncertainties coming at us from all angles, these words provide much-needed comfort and encouragement. The psalm’s message is clear: You are not alone. Even when everything seems dire, take heart—God is holding you close.
This resonates with Jesus’ comforting words to his disciples in the Gospel of John. In John 14:27, He says,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Later, in John 16:33, Jesus adds, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
These assurances act as a balm for Christians facing life’s storms. They remind us that with God, everything will be more than okay—it will be good and beautiful. It’s the same encouragement God gave Joshua: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Psalm 91, like these other biblical passages, offers a timeless message of hope and divine presence that continues to comfort and inspire believers across generations.
Psalm 91 goes beyond abstract concepts of faith. It presents concrete promises of God’s intervention in our lives – protection from harm, answers to prayers, and divine presence in times of trouble. This tangible depiction of God’s care is deeply appealing to many believers.
Does Psalm 91 Offer Protection Beyond Physical Safety?
Psalm 91 is a powerful declaration of God’s all-encompassing protection. It paints a vivid picture of divine care, assuring us that the Lord doesn’t just shield us physically, but envelops us completely in His loving embrace.
This psalm goes beyond mere protection – it speaks of active rescue. When we’re in trouble, God doesn’t just stand by; He intervenes. The imagery of being covered with His feathers evokes a sense of tender, parental care that’s deeply comforting.
Moreover, Psalm 91 reveals that God’s protection extends beyond His direct action. It tells us that He commands His angels concerning us, providing supernatural assistance in our times of need. These celestial guardians are tasked with watching over us, helping us to overcome obstacles we might face.
Perhaps most profoundly, the psalm concludes with promises that stretch into eternity. For those who place their trust in Him, God pledges not just safety in this life, but salvation and life everlasting. It’s a comprehensive assurance of God’s care, from our daily struggles to our eternal destiny.
In essence, Psalm 91 offers a beautiful portrait of a God who is intimately involved in our lives, committed to our wellbeing, and faithful to His promises of protection, deliverance, and eternal life.