Psalm 91:1-16
Psalm 91
Many people turn to Psalm 91 when they are afraid. It is a psalm full of shelter words: a secret place, a shadow, a refuge, a fortress, feathers and wings. It names fears plainly, the terror by night and the arrow that flies by day, and it ends with words of nearness: "I will be with him in trouble." Journaling with it can help you slow down and notice what you are afraid of and where you look for safety.
You do not have to feel brave to write with this psalm. Some days its promises may feel like a warm blanket. Other days they may be hard to read, especially if trouble has already come close to you or someone you love. Both kinds of days belong on the page. You can bring your fear, your hope and your questions to God in the same prayer.
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of Yahweh, “He is 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 feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.
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 wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, and 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 Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,
10 no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
11 For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.
12 They will bear you up in their hands, so that you won’t dash your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot.
14 “Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known 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 I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation.”
Reflection prompts
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Verse 1 speaks of the one who "dwells in the secret place of the Most High." Think of a quiet place where you feel at rest: a chair, a walk, a corner of a room. What would it look like to dwell with God, not just visit, in the middle of an ordinary day?
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In verse 2 the psalmist says of Yahweh, "He is my refuge and my fortress." Write that sentence in your own words. Then write what you can honestly say about trust today, even if it is only one small, true line.
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Verse 4 says, "He will cover you with his feathers." Picture being sheltered that closely. What are you carrying right now that you would like to set down under that cover? Write it to God as a prayer.
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Verses 5 and 6 name fears that come at night and fears that come in broad daylight. Make two short lists: what keeps you awake, and what worries you during the day. Then choose one fear from each list and name it to God plainly.
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Verses 7 and 10 make strong promises of protection. Some days words like these feel comforting, and some days they are hard to hold, especially when trouble has come near. Write honestly about how these verses sit with you today, and bring any questions you have to God.
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Verse 12 speaks of being borne up "so that you won’t dash your foot against a stone." Remember a time you were steadied when you might have stumbled. Who or what helped hold you up? Write a few lines of thanks.
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Verse 15 includes the words "I will be with him in trouble." Describe a trouble you are facing now, or one you are bracing for. Write a prayer asking for God's nearness in it, and tell God what you most need while you wait.