Photo by Ray Hennessy on Unsplash
I remember clinging to Psalm 91 while our family lived in China as if it was oxygen giving me my next breath. Our youngest daughter Kelly, just three at the time, battled many strange illnesses while we lived in Beijing, and I was often consumed with fear for her safety. I read and prayed Psalm 91 over her so often that I ended up memorizing it without even trying.
Years later we learned that Kelly’s in-laws prayed the same psalm over our son-in-law Cal when he was a newborn with viral meningitis. What a gift to know that Kelly’s future husband was being prayed over with the same promises from Psalm 91 when he was just a baby.
Some call Psalm 91 the soldier’s song, as many have prayed it over their loved ones in the armed forces when they’re deployed. Others see it as a warfare psalm, teaching us how to fight the good fight against the enemy of our souls. Though no author is mentioned in the Hebrew text of this psalm, Jewish tradition ascribes it to Moses like Psalm 90, while others say David wrote it—a mighty warrior himself.
Regardless of who “wrote” it, I know it was inspired by our Most High, almighty God. It’s a psalm filled with the wonder of the different names of God, and it declares His protection over us again and again. If you’re a Baby Boomer like I am, memorize this psalm while you can still remember things, and pray it over your grandchildren. Or if you’re a young mom, pray it when fear grips your heart for your little ones.
Just in the first two verses we see four majestic names of our God:
Most High (El Elyon in Hebrew, which means the Highest of the high),
Almighty (El Shaddai, which means God of the Mountains in Hebrew),
LORD (Yahweh, built on the word for “I am” in Hebrew),
God (Elohim, most commonly used word for God in Hebrew).
How beautiful to know that “Whoever dwells in the shelter of El Elyon, will rest in the shadow of El Shaddai. I will say of Yahweh, he is my refuge and fortress, my Elohim in whom I trust” (vv. 1–2).
Recently, God used this same psalm to comfort my questioning heart about my father’s suffering at the end of his life. Soon after his death, I was dwelling in Psalm 91 one early morning, and the Holy Spirit showed me that He never left my father in the midst of his suffering. As I read the last two verses, it was as if the Holy Spirit was saying, “Judy, even in the midst of his groaning death, I was ‘with him in trouble, I delivered him and honored him, and with long life I satisfied him and showed him my salvation’” (vv. 15–16).
Do you see what God did there? Decades after He calmed my young mom’s fearful heart for her toddler, He used the same promises to comfort my grieving heart for my father.
There’s a verse in Psalm 119 that says: “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.”
That is my story.
May it be the same for you.
No matter what you are going through right now . . . cling to His Word.
Savor it.
Hide it in your heart and mind.
Pray it over your babies and toddlers . . . and then pray it over your grandbabies and grand-toddlers . . . and over your aging parents.
And, just like He’s done for me for decades, may God use His promises—written thousands of years ago—to bring hope and comfort to your frightened or grieving hearts.
What about you? How has God “preserved your life” through His Word? Or, please share some favorite verses that you have prayed over your loved ones. And, enjoy this beautiful new song by Lauren Daigle based on Psalm 91: Under Your Wings
Oh yes, yes, yes! The Word of God has rescued my heart many times over. So precious!!
Kim, I love your story of how you found Jesus as you dwelt in His Word.
I love this Judy ❤️
Thank you, Sarah!
Judy, I love this! Years ago I heard your father speak at a conference and he suggested memorizing Psalm 91. I did–and it has been like a good friend, comforting and encouraging me through many circumstances that threatened my joy and peace. I often quote this Psalm as I’m falling asleep at night. Besides reminding me of my faithful heavenly Father, it reminds me of your faithful earthly father who poured out his life serving others.
Thank you for sharing that story, Dianne. So grateful that you, too, have memorized such a beautiful Psalm.
I love this❤️ You shared this passage with me when we were going through our storm. It became like needed air in my lungs. I pray it often and share it with others as you have done for me.
I remember that time together, Vicki! So grateful how God has used it so deeply in your life as well.
Yes, Psalm 91 is what I read every time I step out of home. One Sunday morning, I had to drive from Chicago to Wisconsin for Church service at a Retreat Center. I opened my Bible, read Psalm 91 and started out on this trip. It was my first long drive behind the wheel on the road. I had three other adults and my eight year old daughter with me in the van. Just a few minutes away from our destination, I was hit on the rear by a jeep and my van was totaled but by the grace of God, all of us escaped unhurt. My Church members who were already at the Center walked over to where we were and helped us complete the road side formalities and walk over to the service on time and thank God for His protection in the midst of trouble. To my great surprise, when I got back home, I saw a beautiful rainbow that the LORD had set in the sky just over my house ascertaining that we were under His protection. He surely preserved our lives that day. God’s Word is forever faithful and true to those who believe!
So powerful, Judy. Psalm 91 is a favorite of mine as well. When I was going through one of the worst periods of my life, I read a psalm each day, thinking, this will see me through the next 150. I did the same when my youngest left for five months of missionary work and travel, and I sent a verse from each psalm every day for 150 to one of my oldest friends when she was in a period of intense suffering. Thank you for pointing out the names of God here, as well. Enlightening.
So powerful, Judy. Psalm 91 is a favorite of mine as well. When I was going through one of the worst periods of my life, I read a psalm each day, thinking, this will see me through the next 150. I did the same when my youngest left for five months of missionary work and travel, and I sent a verse from each psalm every day for 150 to one of my oldest friends when she was in a period of intense suffering. Thank you for pointing out the names of God here, as well. Enlightening.
Thank you, Amanda! I love your story and how God has also met you in the Psalms in the midst of suffering or uncertain times. It amazes me how His Word brings such hope and healing.
How wonder-full that God had both families praying the same Psalm at the same time over two little babies who would one day become one! And how wonder-full that He can use the same verse or passage to continue to comfort and grow us over the decades!
A verse from the Psalms that’s been precious to me for many years is, “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8). Decades ago, during my first depressive episode, the middle part of this verse (pour out your hearts to him) became very special to me. From what I’d gathered in the five years since receiving Christ, a good Christian, a real Christian didn’t experience this kind of emotional pain. Then I read the Psalms with new eyes, and God ministered to my needy soul, comforting me through the words of David.
Reading this verse again recently, the first few words jumped out at me: “Trust in him at all times.” I was struck by the idea that we’re supposed to both trust in Him and pour out our hearts to Him. Pouring out our hearts in anguish, despair, fear, anger—and honesty—as we wrestle with the sorrows of everyday life is not contradictory to trusting in Him at all times. And when we do both, we experience the truth of the last part of the verse—God is our refuge. We see more clearly how He protects and nourishes us. (Adapted from my blog at https://thosewhoweep.blogspot.com/2018/10/pour-out-your-hearts.html)
Thank you for sharing from your heart.
Oh, Ann, thank you for sharing some of your story and such a beautiful Psalm that has meant so much to you. And, thank you for sharing your blogpost about “pouring out our hearts.” He is such a kind and faithful God! Blessings!
Ann, Thank you for your wise words. So wonderful to see how God has used the Psalms in your own journey.