A Reflection On Psalm 91: God's Protection Is Over You

Psalm 91 is one of the most well-known passages of the Bible, many people read it and find its words inspire courage and confidence. It is a Psalm that can give us strength in challenging situations, it provides relief and peace as it reminds us of the greatness of God's power and protection.

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “You are my refuge
and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
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 buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor 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 recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague 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,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

This psalm speaks about God's protective presence over the lives of His children even in the most difficult times. God loves and cares for His own just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, protecting them from all harm. The children of God can take refuge under His shadow and receive the strength they need to face life's challenges.

Psalm 91 - What we learn about God's protection

• If you dwell in the Lord's shelter - under His shadow - you are safe.
• Do you trust in God? Remember, you can always take refuge in Him.
• Do not despair: the Lord can deliver you from all evils.
• If you are a child of God, you can be assured that He covers and guards you.
• Day or night, under shadow or light, God's power is ultimate. Fear not!
• You can trust that God will give the wicked what they deserve. Keep your eyes open to God's justice.
• The Lord sends His angels to watch over you.
• God lifts you up and guards you so you do not stumble. Hold on to Him and you will not fall!
• He grants you the necessary strength for the battle against the evil one.
• Stand firm in the Lord and you will enjoy His protection.
• Talk to Him. He answers those who call upon Him.
• You are not alone in distress. You have the precious company and care of the Lord.
• Do not give up. Remain faithful and you will experience the Lord's deliverance. He will honor your faithfulness.
• Enjoy the life that the Lord gives you today. Keep alive the joy of eternal salvation.

Finding God's Protection

Within the passage, God's protection is referred to in four different ways:

• Shelter and Refuge: The psalmist describes God as a "refuge" and a "fortress" (verse 2), which emphasizes the idea of God being a haven and protection from danger. God gives us a sense of security and refuge in life's storms.

• Wings of a Bird: In verse 4, the psalmist portrays God as covering His people with His pinions (the outer part/feathers of a bird's wing) and sheltering them under His wings. This beautiful image reminds us that God is a loving and nurturing protector, like a mother bird protecting her young.

• Shield and Buckler: The psalmist refers to God's faithfulness as being a shield and a buckler (verse 4), highlighting God's role in defending His people from harm. This metaphor suggests God's active intervention in guarding against threats and attacks.

• Angelic Protection: Verse 11 describes how God commands His angels to protect His people 'in all their ways'. God cares about you! His angels are there 'to bear you up', protecting you from harm, and from stumbling.

Protection from Danger

What Does this passage say about the various dangers we face? There are several dangers that the Psalm refers to including:

• Traps and Snares: The psalmist acknowledges the existence of dangers such as traps and deadly pestilences (verse 3), but affirms God's ability to deliver His people from these threats. God's power is sufficient to rescue His followers from perilous situations.
• Arrows of the enemies: Verse 5 refers to the arrows of day, attacks from other people, whether physical or not. The Psalmist contrasts this with the terrors of night, which is something more unseen, and unheard, such as spiritual attacks.
• Walking Through Fire and Treading on Serpents: In verses 13-14, we read how God's people overcome formidable challenges such as lions, serpents, and dragons. God has the power to grant His followers victory over their adversaries, no matter how big, scary, dangerous, or challenging they may seem.

Trust in God's protection

We are given the assurance that we can trust in God's power and loving care for His children. God accompanies those who love Him in both good and not-so-good times. That is the certainty of His people. Moreover, besides being present, He gives us signs of His presence and power. Stay attentive to His movement when doing your daily tasks.

Do you want to enjoy God's protection? Decide to dwell in His shelter and acknowledge Him as your shepherd. You will experience daily the strength, care, and encouragement available to those who surrender their hearts and lives to the Lord.

Other articles about the Psalms that may be of interest: 11 Powerful Psalms to Read and Ponder