Psalm 91 King James Version (KJV)

91 He that dwelleth 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 will I trust.

³ Surely, he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

⁴ He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

⁵ Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

⁶ Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

⁷ A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

⁸ Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

⁹ Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

¹⁰ There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

¹¹ For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

¹² They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

¹³ Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

¹⁴ Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath 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 honour him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him, shew him my salvation.

An interesting story from a former pastorate. While serving as pastor of Pearisburg Presbyterian Church in Pearisburg, Virginia, one of my parishioners shared with me this story about Psalm 91. It seems that an illness was raging through central Virginia, where her grandmother lived years earlier. So frightened was her grandmother for her children’s health and well-being, that she read/prayed Psalm 91 every day. Her children were spared and so this psalm became “a life chapter” for them.

This parishioner sustained the loss of her youngest son and I officiated at his funeral. Later she died and I officiated at her funeral. The mother shared with me the story and requested that I include Psalm 91 in that service. Later, her surviving son made the same request of me when I was preparing to officiate at his mother’s service. This had become the Lancaster Family Psalm and was used in many family members funerals. I know because I officiated at two such services.

Psalm 91 has been set to music and has become a popular hymn/choral anthem, known as On Eagles’ Wings. It too is a wonderful psalm and a great hymn. Read and enjoy! Sing and enjoy!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the comfort of your words. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.