PROTECTION

¹ You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,^[a]
2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.”
³ For he will deliver you from the snare of the hunter
and from the deadly pestilence;
⁴ he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and defense.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of the night
or the arrow that flies by day
⁶ or the pestilence that stalks in darkness
or the destruction that wastes at noonday.

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 look with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the Lord your refuge,^[b]
the Most High your dwelling place,
¹⁰ no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
¹² On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

¹⁴ Those who love me, I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
¹⁵ When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble;
I will rescue them and honor them.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy them
and show them my salvation.

The Psalms were written as songs for worship in Hebrew (in the Hebrew language for the Hebrews.) And some of the Psalms have transitioned well for worship of God Almighty in the English language. Case in point – Psalm 91 – “On Eagles’ Wings.”

The note that accompanies Hymn #43 in our Glory to God Hymnal reminds us that “the body of the text is a paraphrase of Psalm 91, and the refrain combines allusions to Exodus 19, Psalm 139, and Isaiah 40 and 49. It’s worth reading and singing.

Prayer

Lord, as I dwell in the shelter of the Most High, I know you will lift me up on eagles’ wings, and bear me on the breath of dawn. Thank you for holding me in the palm of your hand. Amen.